Union County Student Training and Enrichment Program
About the Program
The Union County Student Training and Enrichment Program is a day-long summit that invites high school sophomores and juniors from throughout Union County to participate in hands-on activities focused on leadership, personal growth, and civic engagement.
UC STEP is more than just a student seminar event. Students are given the opportunity to attend breakout sessions focused on personal growth and leadership while collaborating with others to work through the day’s activities. Attendees have the opportunity to participate in workshops such as “You be the Judge,” which focuses on crafting effective elevator speeches, and “How to be an Effective Leader,” which focuses on identifying the diversity, concerns and values of others.
The headline event of UC STEP, the Civic Engagement Challenge, brings students together to brainstorm and create a county-wide community service campaign to be enacted through the Union County Board of County Commissioners in connection with Union County students. The service initiative that receives the most votes at UC STEP and via the online poll will become the countywide project undertaken by participating Union County high schools. The school that shows the most involvement, enthusiasm, and creativity for the project is eligible to win the $1,000 START NOW Grant from the Union County Board of County Commissioners.
2024
The 2024 winning community service initiative, Wish Upon a Star: Make a Kid’s Dream Come True is designed to bring hope to foster children by supporting the CASA’s Open Door Store.
These featured items provide essential comfort and resources to children in foster care. Participants are encouraged to “wish upon a star” by donating a listed item, helping to meet the needs of these children and the store that serves them. Together, we can make a meaningful impact—spreading kindness and ensuring every foster child feels seen, supported, and valued.
For more information, please contact Judith Guest, Community Engagement & Diversity Coordinator at (908) 527-4388 or via email at Judith.Guest@ucnj.org
2023
The 2023 winning community service initiative, “Stepping Up to Mental Health”, aimed to increase awareness and support for youth mental health challenges. This initiative fostered meaningful conversations and encouraged open dialogue about mental well-being within schools and the broader community.
As part of the campaign, participating high schools organized awareness activities, including workshops, social media campaigns, and resource-sharing efforts designed to break the stigma surrounding mental health. By the end of the campaign, participating schools successfully raised awareness of mental health needs and funds benefiting the Kimberly Anne Wilson Foundation. The top-performing high schools were awarded the opportunity to host in-school assemblies featuring keynote speakers who are experts in navigating mental health challenges.
2018
The 2018 winning community service initiative, “Link Up For Life -5k”- combined a compliment drive that consisted of over 45,000 links intended to represent support for those who are struggling.
The Links were displayed along the 5k course. The Link Up For Life 5k community service campaign was supported by the Union County Board of County Commissioners and the generous donations of its’ 5k event sponsors: All Covered, Sysco, KAD & Associates, Unity Bank, Bayway Refinery and Neglia Engineering.
By the conclusion of the campaign, participating high schools were able to fundraise a total of $2,267.00 that benefitted Caring Contact, an award-winning, volunteer-staffed caring and crisis hotline and listening community serving the central and northern New Jersey community. Caring Contact is based in Westfield.
Event Photos
Event Photos
Link Up For Life
2017
The 2017 winning community service initiative, “Branches Against Bullying”- involved a compliment drive that consisted of 32 trees with over 30,000 compliment leaves in efforts to raise awareness and help end bullying.
The Branches Against Bullying community service campaign was supported by the Union County Board of County Commissioners and the Warinanco Sports Center. By the conclusion of the campaign, Branches Against Bullying collected over 30,000 positive messages, created a resource guide to end bullying, and designed anti-bullying lawn signs.
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Video from Jenga Game
Color Group Orange
“Branches Against Bullying”
This compliment drive provides positive messages available to students whenever they need it. A box of leaves will be provided for students to fill out with uplifting messages. Once the leaves are completed and approved by an administrator, they will be placed on the “branches against bullying” tree. Students can take compliment leaves whenever they need one. When the school year ends, the trees will be moved to a centralized Union County location to increase awareness of bullying. By combining the trees, this larger display will illustrate how prevalent bullying is in Union County.
#leafyourcompliment
Branches Against Bullying
Branches Against Bullying
Winners Check Presentation – Start Now Grant Winners
2016
The 2016 winning community service initiative, “Kans 4 Kids”- involved a food drive, a virtual food drive and a “can-struction” project composed of more than 3,500 cans in efforts to help end childhood hunger.
The Kans for Kids community service campaign was partly sponsored by Sysco and ShopRite and supported by The Community FoodBank of New Jersey. By the conclusion of the campaign, the Kans 4 Kids campaign collected 6,000 pounds of food for donation to the Community FoodBank.
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Kans 4 Kids
Canstruction Project – Kans 4 Kids – Canstruction Project
Highlights – Kans 4 Kids Civic Engagement Campaign
- John E. Dwyer Technology Academy
- Linden High School
- David Brearley High School
- Union County Vo Tech
- Union Catholic Regional High School
- Roselle Park High School
- Rahway High School
- Cranford High School
- The Barack Obama Academy for Academic & Civic Development Charter School
- Jonathan Dayton High School
- UC Teams
Schools that are participating in but were unable to attend the kick off are:
- Arthur L. Johnson High School
- Governor Livingston High School
- New Providence High School
- St. Mary of the Assumption High School
- Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School
Attached is the “Canstruction” project that the students will be undertaking in addition to a food drive. There are multiple facets to this project that involve additional bonus points: the food drive, the “canstruction” project, volunteer opportunities and a virtual food drive. The wrap up date is scheduled for April 29th at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey in Hillside The school that wins the competition will receive the “ START NOW GRANT”
Union County County Commissioners Linda Carter and Alexander Mirabella presented resolutions to members of Team Orange from the Union County Student Training and Enrichment Program (UC STEP) congratulating them on winning the Civic Engagement Challenge of 2016 UC STEP. They were joined by Union County Economic Development Director Amy Wagner and Deana Mesaros of the Department of Economic Development.
UC STEP was created to provide high school students the opportunity to develop a countywide community service around a topic they feel is important, while teaching them leadership and personal growth skills and responsibility within their communities.
A total of 195 sophomores and junior high school students from 21 high schools throughout Union County participated in the annual program, which took place in December 2016 at Kean University in Union.
Team Orange’s campaign “Kans for Kids” is a collection project that focuses on the gathering nutritious canned items that they turned into “canstruction.” The final aspect of Kans 4 Kids will have the students work together to build a “canstructure” project. All proceeds benefit the Community FoodBank of New Jersey.
Team Orange members attend the following high schools: Arthur L. Johnson High School, Cranford High School, David Brearley High School, Governor Livingston High School, Linden High School, John E. Dwyer Technology Academy, Jonathan Dayton High School, Plainfield High School, New Providence High School, Rahway High School, Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, Union County TEAMS Charter School, Union County Vocational-Technical High School and the Barack Obama Academy for Academic & Civic Development.
“Kans 4 Kids” is a collection project that will focus on the collection of nutritious canned items that they will turn into “can-struction. “ The structure building competition will be the finale of the project as each school strives to have the best looking display.
Check out our Ultimate Mannequin Challenge
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2015
The 2015 winning community service initiative, “Garments & Gear”– Greatness for Years involved a Countywide drive collecting sports apparel and equipment for less fortunate athletes.
As a result of our joint efforts with Ivy Visions, Inc., we were able to help various athletic departments with the donation of sports equipment, homeless shelters with the apparel that was collected, and a basketball league with a new electronic scoreboard that was purchased with funds raised!
Event Photos
Garments and Gear
“Garments & Gear – Greatness for Years”
Wins the UC STEP Civic Engagement Challenge
Union County County Commissioners Linda Carter and Alexander Mirabella presented resolutions to members of Team Red from the Union County Student Training and Enrichment Program (UC STEP) congratulating them on winning the Civic Engagement Challenge of 2016 UC STEP.
UC STEP was created to provide high school students the opportunity to develop a countywide community service around a topic they feel is important, while teaching them leadership and personal growth skills and responsibility within their communities.
A total of 195 sophomores and junior high school students from 27 high schools throughout Union County participated in the annual program, which took place in December 2015 at Kean University in Union.
Team Red’s campaign “Garments & Gear – Greatness for Years” won the Civic Engagement Challenge and will be the county-wide community service project undertaken by participating Union County high schools in 2016.
“Garments & Gear – Greatness for Years” will focus on giving less fortunate athletes equipment needed to excel in sports. By collecting items and fundraising to purchase additional supplies, the goal of this program is to give under-privileged athletes the opportunity to play a sport by providing the necessary gear.
Team Red consisted of 15 students from 12 high schools; Anandah Gomez (Barack Obama High School), Erin Readie (Cranford High School), Lindsay Lathrop (David Brearley High School), Ja’Quan Mial (John E. Dwyer Academy), Brendon Joseph Birch (Linden High School), Jasmin Finney-Tillman (Linden High School), Hannah Caminiti (New Providence High School), Jake Canavan (Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School), Taylor Diggs (Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School), Ian MacPherson (Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School), Sheydline Moise (St. Mary’s High School), Shawn Ferreira (UC Vo-Tech High School), Hannah Criollo (Union High School), Marissa Berriios (Roselle Catholic), Jacob Franklin Fopossi Nyemdom (Plainfield High School)
Focus on giving less fortunate athletes equipment needed to excel in sports. By collecting items and fundraising to purchase additional supplies, the goal of this program is to give under-privileged athletes the opportunity to play a sport by providing the necessary gear.
Come and “STEP Up” to Help Students Help Each Other
All of Union County is invited to help high school students with a new student-created civic campaign this year called “Garments & Gear – Greatness for Years.” The campaign is aimed at helping ensure that all student athletes can obtain the necessary equipment and clothing, regardless of their financial situation.
Garments & Gear was developed by high school students participating in UC STEP, the Union County Student Training and Enrichment Program, an initiative of the Union County County Commissioners.
“This exemplary civic campaign will help ensure that finances are no obstacle to students who want to engage in school sports with their friends and classmates,” said County Commissioner Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “It’s a great way to show that the Union County community respects and supports all young people who desire to work hard and excel.”
In the Garments & Gear campaign, high school students from across Union County will collect new and gently used sports equipment and clothing, raise funds by selling Garments & Gear merchandise, and reach out to the community for additional donations.
“Garments & Gear really demonstrates the value of having students brainstorm on civic projects,” said County Commissioner Linda Carter, who conceived and launched the first UC STEP during her term as Chairman in 2013. “These young people recognized a significant need among their peers, and they envisioned how we can all step up together and pitch in.”
UC STEP is an annual youth development seminar and civic engagement project for high school juniors and seniors. This year’s UC STEP seminar was held in December with the participation of 195 students from 27 public, private and charter schools throughout Union County.
Each year, the highlight of the UC STEP seminar is the creation of original civic engagement campaigns by teams of student from different schools, working together for the first time. One of the campaigns is ultimately selected as a countywide project supported by the County Commissioner Board. Garments & Gear was created by “Team Red,” consisting of 15 members from 12 schools.
Participating in the Garments & Gear campaign this spring are schools that were also represented on Team Red, including Cranford High School, David Brearley High School, John E. Dwyer Academy, Linden High School, New Providence High School, Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, St. Mary’s High School, UC Vo-Tech High School, Union High School, Roselle Catholic High School, and Plainfield High School.
Governor Livingston High School, Union County TEAMS Charter School, Rahway High School, and Jonathan Dayton are also participating in the campaign.
Union County residents, businesses, organizations and local agencies can participate in Garments & Gear by bringing donations of new or gently used clothing and equipment to drop-off sites, listed on the County website at ucnj.org/uc-step.
Garments and Gear – Winners of the Start Now Grant
Union County County Commissioners Linda Carter and Alexander Mirabella present resolutions and checks to students and educators from New Providence High School and John E. Dwyer Technology Academy in Elizabeth in honor of the two schools winning the 2016 Union County Student Training and Enrichment Program (UC STEP) challenge. They were joined by Union County Economic Development Director Amy Wagner.
The Garments & Gear Campaign–collecting items and funds to provide sports equipment to local students in need–was the county-wide UC STEP community service challenge undertaken by participating Union County high schools in the 2015-2016 school year. The winning schools received grant in the amount of $1,000.00 each.
UC STEP was created to provide high school students the opportunity to develop a countywide community service around a topic they feel is important, while teaching them leadership and personal growth skills and responsibility within their communities.
2014
The 2014 winning community service initiative, “Donate to Educate”- Schools Supplying Schools, involved a school supply drive throughout Union County.
As a result of our joint efforts with the Boys & Girls Club of Union County and Ivy Visions, Inc., we were able to assemble over 200 backpacks!
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Donate to Educate
On May 9th, Union County County Commissioner Sergio Granados, Alexander Mirabella, and Linda Carter were joined by Assemblywoman Annette Quijano and students from around the County to wrap up Donate to Educate, the winning campaign at the 2014 UC STEP. High school students from throughout the county have been collecting school supplies to donate to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Union County, our partner, since March.
We are pleased to announce that over a thousand school supplies were collected and 144 backpacks were assembled. We would also like to thank our Strategic Partner, Ivy Visions Inc., for showing their support at Wrap Up Day and throughout the campaign.
2013
The 2013 winning community service initiative, “Support 4 Soldiers,” involved a coordinated drive to collect items for care packages to be shipped to our military troops overseas.
At the culmination of the campaign, 250 care packages were prepared for our troops in conjunction with Union County’s partner, Bonds of Courage.
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Support 4 Soldiers
