Tag: chairman granados

Union County, NJ — Union County residents seeking information about services available for senior adults age sixty and above will have a choice of five different dates and locations in September to meet staff from the Union County Department of Human Services, Division on Aging, to get information on senior services and resources.

“We are happy to continue the ASK — the Aging Services Kiosk program — into the fall season. ASK connects our seniors and their caregivers with experts from our staff, who travel to public libraries, senior center and other locations that are familiar and convenient for local residents,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. 

The ASK program provides seniors and their caregivers with person-to-person information on programs like home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care, and, support services.

Assistance with completing applications and forms is also provided.

Any Union County resident or caregiver can visit the ASK program at any location. The September 2018 dates and locations are:

Wednesday, September 5

Linden Public Library

31 E. Henry Street

Linden, NJ 07036

10:00 am to 12:00 noon

 

Monday, September 10

Clark Public Library

303 Westfield Avenue

Clark, 07066

10:00 am to 12:00 noon

 

Thursday, September 13

Garwood Public Library

411 Third Avenue

Garwood, NJ 07027

10:00 am to 12:00 noon

 

Wednesday, September 19

Fanwood Public Library

5 Forest Road

Fanwood, NJ 07023

10:00 am to 12:00 noon

 

Tuesday, September 25

Union Public Library

1980 Morris Avenue

Union, 07083

11:30 am to 1:30 pm

The Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection is part of the Union County Department of Human Services. As one of 670 “Area Agencies on Aging” established nationwide by the Older Americans Act, its goal is to promote wellness, independence, dignity, and choice for seniors and their families.

For more information about senior services and resources in Union County, call the Division’s toll-free number: 1-888-280-8226, or call 908-527- 4870 or 908-527-4858. Spanish speakers may call 908-527-4863.

Information may also be viewed on the Union County government website at ucnj.org, and printed information is available in both English and Spanish.

           

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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, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that world renowned guitarist, composer, arranger and teacher Carlos Alomar will be the featured speaker for “Excellence in All We Do,” a free Hispanic Heritage Month event on Tuesday, October 2, at 11:00 a.m., at the Sidney F. Lessner Building located at the Union County College campus in Elizabeth, at 12 West Jersey Street.

Mr. Alomar is best known for his 30-year collaboration with David Bowie including the breakthrough hit “Fame,” and for his work with Chuck Berry, James Brown, Paul McCartney, Simple Minds, Mick Jagger, Iggy Pop, Arcadia, The Pretenders, Alicia Keys and the Argentine rock band Soda Stereo among many others.

“It is an honor to welcome Mr. Alomar to join with all Union County residents in celebrating our diverse heritage,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “With his amazing breadth of experience here at home and around the world, Carlos Alomar unites people from every walk of life in the simple joy of music. He embodies the basic American values of diversity, creativity, mutual respect, and giving back to the community.”

Mr. Alomar will talk about his journey through music history and the Latino influence that he brought to bear on popular music in the U.S. In addition to his incredible career, he has an inspiring and uplifting message for all people, especially Latinos and Latinas during the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Alomar brings his personal story to his message. A Puerto Rican-born minister’s son who became the music director of some of the most lavish and legendary rock tours in the world, Alomar has always stubbornly refused to be put in a box.

He grew up mostly in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan, hearing R&B and religious music in his father’s church. He began playing guitar in church at age 10, but was soon sneaking out to play in rock bands with his friends.

“My father died when I was 14,” he recalls, “But he told my mom, ‘the boy has a gift, don’t stand in the way of his talent.’”

At age 17, Alomar became the youngest guitarist in the history of the Apollo Theater, walking on stage and winning over a dubious crowd with solo versions of Motown hits by The Supremes and Junior Walker. He soon became a guitarist in the Apollo’s house band, performed with James Brown, and by the early 70s was a sought-after session musician for RCA Recording Studios in New York.

Mr. Alomar currently serves as the president of the New York chapter of The Recording Academy, the organization responsible for the Grammy Awards. He joined the teaching staff of Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken as an adjunct professor of Music and Technology, and was honored as the school’s first “Distinguished Artist in Residence” in 2010.

The free event is sponsored by the Freeholder Board through the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, and is funded in part by the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State.

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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, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites all military veterans and active duty personnel, their families, and veterans service providers to attend the Networking Mixer for Military personnel this Thursday, August 23 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Clubhouse at Galloping Hill Golf Course, 3 Golf Drive in Kenilworth.

The event is coordinated through the Union County Office of Veteran Services UC-HERO program.

“We are all honored and grateful for the many military personnel and their families who live in Union County, and we will continue to develop more resources for them access opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Union County residents with a military background possess skills and training that have great value in the civilian workforce, and we hope this mixer will enable them to forge new connections in the community.”

The networking mixer is free but preregistration is required. To register contact the Office of Veteran Services Coordinator Janna Williams by phone at 908-527-4918, or email jwilliams@ucnj.org.

The event includes complimentary food. Statewide veterans services officials will be on hand to provide information.

Other upcoming events organized through the Office of Veteran Services include the “Know Your Benefits Expo,” a comprehensive presentation of benefits and services on Tuesday, August 28 from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the STEM Center at Kean University, at 1075 Morris Avenue in Union Township.

The annual Veterans Camp-Over is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, September 15 and 16 in the Watchung Reservation.

On Friday, October 5 there will be a military campfire and hayride at Union County’s Warinanco Park in Elizabeth. This event will begin at 6:30 .pm.

UC HERO was launched by Freeholder Bruce H. Bergen when he served as Chairman in 2016. The program builds on Union County’s longstanding services for veterans by working to enhance opportunities for education, employment and well-being for eligible veterans, active duty service members and their families.

UC-HERO continues to develop this year as part of Chairman Granados’s 2018 “Moving Union County Forward” UC HEART (Helping, Empower, Advocating, Reaching and Teaching) initiatives fostering personal growth and community service.

For more information about Office of Veteran Services programs, visit online at ucnj.org/uc-hero or contact Ms. Williams at 908-527-4918, or email jwilliams@ucnj.org.

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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.

Connect with Union County on social media.

 

 

Union County, NJ – Union County residents who are looking for a powerful way to give back to the community can apply to volunteer with the Union County Rape Crisis Center. The Rape Crisis Center provides intervention, advocacy, medical and legal accompaniment, and other support services for victims of sexual violence through a 24-hour hotline. 

“Our Rape Crisis Center volunteers are a powerful force for good in the Union County community,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Our volunteers are knowledgeable and non-judgmental. They offer the vital human elements of empathy and understanding to victims, who often cannot turn to family or friends for support or guidance.”

The Rape Crisis Center is one of Union County’s longest-running volunteer programs. It has been part of the Union County Department of Human Services since 1984.

All volunteers are trained, mentored and supervised by professional staff from the Rape Crisis Center. No previous experience in counseling is necessary. The training program qualifies Rape Crisis Center volunteers for certification as Confidential Sexual Violence Advocates.

Volunteers must be Union County residents at least 18 years of age, with a valid driver’s license and their own vehicle.

The next round of training sessions will take place every Tuesday and Thursday from September 11 through October 30 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

An interview is required before attending the training sessions. Union County residents who are interested in becoming Volunteer Advocates can contact the Rape Crisis Center now at 908-233-7273 to schedule an interview.

The Rape Crisis Center offices are located at the Colleen Fraser Building, at the Union County complex in Westfield.

For more information about the volunteer experience at the Rape Crisis Center call 908-233-7273 or visit the Rape Crisis Center blog, unioncountyrapecrisiscenter.blogspot.com.

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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.

Connect with Union County on social media.

 

 

Union County, NJ – Union County residents looking for a chance to make a real difference can join the Master Tree Stewards of Union County. Members of this all-volunteer group get expert training in topics related to local trees, and they share their knowledge with the community.

No previous training in horticulture or trees is required.

“Our Master Tree Stewards have helped thousands of Union County students and adults learn the importance of trees in our environment. The Freeholder Board is proud to support their efforts, and we value their work now more than ever as we rise to meet the challenges of climate change,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados.

The cooling effect of trees on urban “heat islands” and neighborhood streets is well documented. Trees also help reduce excess storm runoff and flooding, and they absorb dust and other airborne pollutants.

Along with benefits to the local climate and environment, trees have a positive impact on household energy use, property values, and employee productivity. Trees are also linked to better health and well-being including a reduction in stress, anxiety and even crime.

The Master Tree Stewards are trained and organized by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County and supported by the Freeholder Board, with headquarters at the Union County complex in Westfield. The training consists mainly of guided walks in local nature preserves during the fall season. Volunteers who complete the course earn certification as Master Tree Stewards.

Each spring, the Tree Stewards fan out to classrooms across Union County to conduct lessons on trees for fourth grade students. They are supported by Extension staff and use a fun, interactive lesson kit provided by the Extension.

Tree Stewards have also been installing new tree ID tags along walking paths in Union County parks. The tags provide information of interest to casual park visitors, and they are also used as outdoor teaching tools by educators and youth group leaders.

The next training session begins on Wednesday, September 5. For more information or to sign up, contact Union County 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz at the Extension offices, at 908-654-9854 (ext. 3) by phone or email jnichnadowicz@ucnj.org.

For more information on all Extension volunteer and youth development programs in Union County, visit online at ucnj.org/rce.

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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.

Connect with Union County on social media.

 

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud to partner with the Friends of the Rahway Public Library to bring Drag Queen Story Hour to Union County. Families and children are invited to join drag queen Harmonica Sunbeam at the Rahway Train Station Plaza, at East Milton Avenue and Irving Street, on Tuesday, August 21 at 11:30 a.m. for an hour of stories, singing and crafts. All are welcome and admission is free.

Presented by the Friends of the Rahway Public Library in collaboration with the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through the Office of LGBTQ Services, Drag Queen Story Hour is a national children’s program that raises awareness of gender diversity, promotes self-acceptance, and builds empathy through an enjoyable literary experience.

“Drag Queen Story Hour is an opportunity to honor each child as an individual and share a message of acceptance,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “The Freeholder Board is proud to collaborate with organizations and stakeholders that share our commitment to celebrate diversity, foster acceptance and inspire inclusive communities in Union County.”

In 60 minutes, celebrated drag performer Harmonica Sunbeam brings a fun interactive program that encourages children to be tolerant of one another, to be open to being who they are and understand that not everyone is the same and it’s ok to be different. In the case of inclement weather, the event will be held at the Rahway Public Library.

“A simple way to let the community know that diverse families are welcome here is through inclusive programming,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, liaison to the Union County LGBTQ Ad Hoc Committee. “We are proud to partner with the Friends of the Rahway Public Library to provide an inclusive space for all children and families to thrive regardless of gender identity and expression.”

Established as part of Chairman Granados’ 2018 Moving Union County Forward initiatives, the Office of LGBTQ Services, under the Division of Outreach and Advocacy in the Department of Human Services, is the first County government office of its kind in the State of New Jersey. It offers a platform for leadership and collaboration to support equality, and serves as a catalyst for advocacy, awareness and action on current and emerging issues that impact the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals.

For more information about the Office of LGBTQ Services, contact Danni Newbury, coordinator, at 908-527-4742 or dnewbury@ucnj.org or visit ucnj.org/lgbtq.

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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.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites all members of the community to a free screening of the 2016 documentary film Making a Killing: Gus, Greed and the NRA in partnership with the non-profit organization Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in New Jersey. The screening will take place on Wednesday, September 12, at 7:00 p.m. at the STEM Building auditorium at Kean University, 1075 Morris Avenue in Union Township.

The event is free but pre-registration is requested online at ucnj.org/making-a-killing-movie-screening.

“We need forceful national policies that promote safety for all communities,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “I hope that people will come to the screening and experience this film as a pathway to advocate for meaningful change.”

A discussion period will follow the screening.

Making a Killing tells the stories of how guns affect the lives of everyday Americans. It features personal stories from people across the country who have been impacted by gun violence, including survivors and victims’ families involved in unintentional shootings, domestic violence, suicides, mass shootings and trafficking.

The film also focuses on the role of gun manufacturers in promoting a legislative environment that enables gun violence to continue in the US, far beyond levels experienced in other western democracies.

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in New Jersey is an affiliate of the national Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America organization founded in 2012, shortly after a 20-year-old man murdered 20 children ages six and seven, and six adult staff members, at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.

The organization quickly grew into a leading force for gun violence prevention, with chapters in all 50 states and a powerful army of moms that has successfully effected change at the local, state and national level.

Making a Killing was produced by the film company Brave New Films. To see a trailer, follow the registration link or visit bravenewfilms.org/making_a_killing_guns.

For more information about the September 12 event contact Nathalie Hernandez, Coordinator, Union County Office of Community Engagement and Diversity at nahernandez@ucnj.org or 908-527-4880.

The Union County Office of Community Engagement and Diversity is part of Chairman Granados’s “Moving Union County Forward” initiative for individual empowerment, education and community service. More information about the office is available at ucnj.org.

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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.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents and visitors to continue taking steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites and help reduce the mosquito population.

“It has been an unusually hot and rainy summer, and we are urging residents to take simple steps to prevent mosquito bites,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “This will contribute to a healthier community and help prevent the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses.”

Of note, officials with the New Jersey State Department of Health expect that there may be an uptick in the number of mosquito sampling sites statewide that test positive for West Nile Virus, due to unusually wet conditions that enable mosquitos to breed.

Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. Even an area as small as a bottle cap can become a breeding area.

To help reduce breeding opportunities, residents and businesses are advised to check their property regularly for water collecting in outdoor equipment, children’s toys and playsets, and garden ornaments including flower pots, buckets, recycling containers, grills, wheelbarrows and tarpaulins.

Unused pools, fountains and ornamental ponds should be drained and covered. Water in birdbaths should be refreshed daily, and gutters should be checked regularly.

Discarded tires, litter and other debris should be removed from the property, as they can hold small amounts of stagnant water.

Additional guidance for property owners is available through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection at nj.gov/dep/mosquito/owners.htm.

To avoid mosquito bites, residents are advised to use EPA-registered insect repellants and to follow all instructions on the label carefully.

Another effective precaution is to wear long, light-colored clothing when outdoors. Exposure can also be reduced by avoiding time outdoors at dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.

The Union County Bureau of Mosquito Control regularly inspects and tests for mosquitoes throughout the County and conducts spraying operations as needed. The County’s first Mosquito Control Commission was established over 100 years ago and is the second oldest in the nation.

Mosquito infestations can be reported by calling the Union County Mosquito Hotline at 908-654-9834 during business hours. County inspectors will examine the property and provide guidance on eliminating breeding sites. If necessary, the inspectors will also survey the surrounding area.

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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.

Connect with Union County on social media.

 

 

 

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce the 2018 Union County Library Grant awards for 20 public, municipal libraries in Union County. The grants are designed to assist public libraries with funding that enriches and supports children’s programming.

“Our community is stronger when we all work together to provide every child with opportunities to learn and grow,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “Public libraries exemplify this community spirit, and the Freeholder Board is proud to help strengthen local library services in our municipalities.”

“The Library Grant program helps to ensure that public libraries in Union County have the resources to foster a contemporary learning environment for the next generation. Up-to-date programming and equipment is especially important in terms of helping children to prepare for careers in STEM and related fields,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, who initiated the grant program in 2016.

The 2018 Library Grants are funded by non-tax dollars through the Union County Kids Recreation Trust Fund.

“Hands-on learning through individual and group activities is the foundational experience that libraries provide, and they are an essential part of the recreational resources for children in Union County,” said Freeholder Alexander Mirabella, Chairman of the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic reservation Trust Fund. 

Each of the 20 municipalities with a public library applied for a 2018 Library Grant and received an award of $3,750.00. Those are: Berkeley Heights, Clark, Cranford, Elizabeth, Fanwood, Garwood, Hillside, Kenilworth, Linden, Mountainside, New Providence, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park, Scotch Plains, Springfield, Summit, Union and Westfield.

This year’s awards will cover the cost of children’s programming including Mad Science and other STEM topics as well as arts enrichment, new books and computer equipment, games and activities, SAT prep and more.

The Library Grants Program supports the goals of Chairman Granados’s 2018 Moving Union County Forward “Plant a Seed” initiative to encourage lifelong learning, individual empowerment and giving back to the community.

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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.

Connect with Union County on social media.

Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders reminds residents seeking emergency shelter and other services that the new 24-Hour Homeless Emergency Response Hotline number is now 908-249-4815.

The new Hotline number took effect as of Tuesday, August 7. It is staffed and operated by Gateway Family YMCA as a program of the Union County Department of Human Services.

The Hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist Union County individuals and families.

“The Union County 24-Hour Homeless Emergency Response Hotline is a valuable resource for those in need of emergency housing and other vital services in times of struggle.” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “If you are an individual or family challenged by homelessness, please reach out and call for assistance.”

The Hotline enables persons in need of assistance to connect with Gateway personnel, who may refer them to shelter on an emergency basis, or refer them to services that help prevent at-risk households from becoming homeless.

“It’s never too late to call for help. Gateway Family YMCA makes positive difference in our community by helping homeless and low-income households to achieve stable housing and self-sufficiency,” said Freeholder Vice Chairman Bette Jane Kowalski, who is the Board’s Liaison to the Union County Human Services Advisory Council.

The Union County Department of Human Services partners with community based social services agencies to connect residents with services, resources and assistance needed for health, well-being and economic opportunity.

Persons who are homeless or at risk of being homeless can call the 24-Hour Homeless Emergency Response Hotline at 908-249-4815.

For additional resources the Continuum of Care/Homeless Unit of the Union County Department of Human Services online at ucnj.org/departments/human-services, or call 908-527-4861 or 908-527-4874. 

 

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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.

Connect with Union County on social media.