Tag: chairman granados

Union County, NJ – Union County will once again participate in the national Point-in-Time Count and Survey of the Homeless. This national census of homeless persons takes place each January. In Union County, it will be conducted countywide on the streets in the early morning hours of Wednesday, January 24, from 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. The number of people staying at homeless shelters in Union County will also be recorded.

“While the Union County economy is strong, it is important to recognize that any person or family can fall upon hard times. As a community we strive to lend a helping hand to those in need, and the annual Point in Time Count provides valuable insights into the issue of homelessness in our neighborhoods, throughout New Jersey and across the nation,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

The annual Point-in-Time Count is mandated by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, and is intended to guide efforts to end homelessness.

In New Jersey, the NJCounts 2018 survey will focus on homeless families, youth and veterans. It includes both persons staying in shelters and those without shelter, in all 21 counties.

The Point-in-Time Count in Union County is coordinated by the Union County Department of Human Services with volunteers from the public and additional assistance from the Union County Sheriff.

As needed, the Union County Police Division and the Plainfield Police Department will provide rides for those requesting shelter.

“Many factors contribute to homelessness. New Jersey faces a number of challenges, including a shortage of rental housing, the loss of living-wage jobs, and the failure of Congress to increase funding for the federal Housing Choice Voucher program,” said Vice Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski, who is the Freeholder liaison to the Human Services Advisory Board. “Even under current levels, the wait for a Section 8 voucher ranges from five to 10 years in Union County.”

In order to help homeless persons connect with resources in Union County, two outreach events have also been scheduled for January 24.

The Salvation Army at 615 Watchung Avenue in Plainfield will host an event from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. including free winter coats, clothing and toiletries, and free HIV testing among many other services.

The Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless at 118 Division Street in Elizabeth will also host an event from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on January 24, offering free haircuts, food, clothing, legal aid, veteran’s services and more.

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 165,800 people in 70,000 New Jersey households use a voucher to afford decent, privately owned housing. In 2018, New Jersey could lose 5,500 vouchers if Congress does not increase renewal funding sufficiently to cover rising rents and other costs.

The 2017 Point-in-Time Count recorded a total of 291 households in Union County, totaling 475 persons. A total of 43 persons in 43 households were identified as chronically homeless. Fifty households totaling 55 persons were unsheltered on the night of the count.

“The fact is that any homeless person is one too many,” said Freeholder Granados. “When people lose their homes, the impact ripples out to their families and communities. Solving the problem of homelessness requires a renewed commitment on all levels – state, federal and local.”

Union County Granados’s Chairman’s initiatives for 2018 include UC HEART, a series of measures that deploy existing County resources to focus on community well-being and inclusiveness. This includes the creation of the Union County Office of Community Engagement and Diversity, the first county-based LGBTQ Office in New Jersey, and the first People with Special Needs Office in New Jersey, along with continuation of the UC-HERO program for veteran’s services.

The Point-in-Time survey is coordinated statewide in New Jersey by the nonprofit housing organization Monarch Housing Associates. For more information visit Monarch Housing online at monarchhousing.org.

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MOUTAINSIDE, NJ – The Klondike Derby, sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America, will be held Saturday, January 27, from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm, at the Loop in the Watchung Reservation. Many years ago, men raced by means of dogs and sledges across the frozen wastes of Alaska in search of gold. Scouting has capitalized on this theme and developed the Klondike Derby as an exciting activity for Boy Scouts.

The Klondike Derby has become one of the most exciting events of the Scouting year. Patrols of four to eight Boy Scouts will pull their sleds over a field course to simulated towns, where the patrols can earn points by solving problems using their Scouting skills. Challenges can include first aid, fire building, knot tying and lashing, orienteering, wilderness survival, and team work.

“As we have in past years, Union County is excited to have the Boy Scouts of America sponsoring this wonderful event at the Watchung Reservation,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

On Saturday, January 27, the Watchung Mountain District will participate. The district includes Scout Troops from Berkeley Heights, Fanwood, Garwood, Mountainside, Murray Hill, New Providence, Scotch Plains, Summit, Watchung, and Westfield.

The following Saturday, February 3, the Klondike Derby will feature participants from the Raritan Valley District, which includes Scouts from Plainfield.

The Klondike Derby will conclude on Saturday, February 10, with the Munsee District, which includes troops from Clark, Cranford, Elizabeth, Hillside, Kenilworth, Linden, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park, Springfield, Union, and Winfield Park.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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Union County Government will hold its annual reorganization at the County Courthouse on Sunday, Jan. 7^th, which begins at 12 p.m.

Freeholder Vice Chairman Sergio Granados, a resident of Elizabeth, is expected to become Chairman of the Board, and Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, a resident of Cranford, is expected to be Vice Chairwoman. Those scheduled to be sworn into new terms include: Freeholders Angel Estrada of Elizabeth, and Christopher Hudak of Linden.  Angela Garretson, of Hillside, will be sworn into her first term as Freeholder.  

Freeholders will also vote to fill numerous positions on county advisory boards and to adopt the board’s 2018 schedule and more.

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of photography by Fred T. Rossi of Scotch Plains in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth.  A selection of his work entitled “Over There: A Photo Exhibit of Travels in Europe” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery until March 31.  Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

“We are pleased to have Mr. Rossi’s photographs on display,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “The exhibit showcases Mr. Rossi’s skills as a fine travel photographer.”

Mr. Rossi says of his work, “I am mostly self-taught in photography, with a little help over the years from my mother and my brother-in-law.  Since I bought myself a good camera 10 years ago (and learned how to use more than just the shutter release button) I’ve been learning new techniques as I try to define my own personal style.”

He enjoys traveling, both in the U.S. and in Europe, with some of his favorites spots being the Jersey Shore, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, France and Iceland—and his hometown of Scotch Plains.  “Every time my plane heads down the runway toward take-off, I remind myself how fortunate I am to be able to travel to places I dreamt of seeing when I was younger.”

Mr. Rossi exhibited a wide array of his European photographs at the Scotch Plains Library in December 2016 and has another exhibition at the Library planned for July 2018.  His photographs of landmarks and other sites in Scotch Plains are on permanent display at the Scotch Plains Municipal Building.  While he works on building a better website for his works, Mr. Rossi’s photographs can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/jerzeyphoto/.

Union County artists (whose works can be hung on a wall) interested in exhibiting in the gallery space are welcome to apply. For more information about the Pearl Street Gallery or other programs, please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl St., Elizabeth, NJ 07202. Telephone 908-558-2550. NJ Relay users can dial 711. E-mail to: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

Union County Freeholders Bette Jane Kowalski and Angel G. Estrada watch Plainfield Public Library Director Mary Ellen Rogan and Janice People, Head of the Children’s Library, demonstrate a smart table that was made possible with a Library Support Grant from the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders. The smart table provides customizable interactive learning opportunities for up to 8 children at a time. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)