Congratulations to our 2025 Unity Achievement Award Recipients
CLICK HERE FOR A LISTING OF ALL AWARD RECIPIENTS FROM 2002 to 2025
UCNJ/CRANFORD POPCORN & SODA SURVEY
Free Bilingual Webinars on Housing Discrimination Offered
The Union County Human Relations Commission (UCHRC) is sponsoring a free, virtual bilingual educational webinar to help residents understand their rights under New Jersey’s housing discrimination laws and learn what steps to take if they experience discrimination.
Click here to register for the English Session
The webinars, presented by the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, will be held via Zoom from 6:00PM to 7:30 PM, in English on Monday, November 10th, and in Spanish on Thursday, November 13th.
Pre-registration is required.
“We’re proud to partner with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (NJDCR) to offer these webinars,” said UCHRC Co-Chair Flor Gonzalez, who also serves as president of Plainfield’s Latin American Coalition.
“Housing discrimination in New Jersey is illegal, with strong protections enforced by the NJDCR,” she added. “Residents need to know they’re protected by two powerful laws — New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination (LAD), and the Fair Chance in Housing Act (FCHA) — and understand what actions they can take if they believe they have been discriminated against.”
New Jersey’s LAD prohibits housing discrimination in the sale, rental, or financing of housing based on protected characteristics including a person’s race, color, religion, creed, national origin, nationality, or ancestry, sex, pregnancy or breastfeeding, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, familial status (such as having children under the age of 18), marital status or domestic partnership/civil union status, military service liability, and/or source of lawful income (including rental assistance such as Section 8.)
The law applies to all housing providers, including landlords, property managers, real estate agents, brokers, condo associations, and lenders, among others,” said UCHRC Co-Chair Chanell Johnson, an Assistant Prosecutor with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, which created the UCHRC in 1991.
“Examples of discrimination include refusing to rent to someone using a housing voucher, advertising “no kids” or “working professionals only,” charging higher rent based on race or nationality, or steering tenants to certain areas based on ethnicity,” Johnson added.
The webinar will also cover the FCHA, common forms of housing discrimination, and how to file a civil rights complaint through the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights.
- Register for the English presentation online at https://shorturl.at/KoamO.
- Register for the Spanish presentation online at https://shorturl.at/HVAb3.
The New Jersey Division on Civil Rights works to prevent, remedy, and eliminate discrimination and bias- based harassment, and offers a wide variety of Interactive virtual and in-person training. For more information, visit the New Jersey Attorney General’s website at https://www.njoag.gov/about/divisions- and-offices/division-on-civil-rights-home/.
For more information about the Union County Human Relations Commission, visit www.ucnj.org/uchrc, or email UCPO@UCPO.com (SUBJECT LINE UCHRC).
La Comisión de Relaciones Humanas del Condado de Union (UCHRC) está patrocinando un seminario web educativo gratuito, virtual, y bilingüe para ayudar a los residentes a comprender sus derechos bajo las leyes de discriminación en la vivienda de Nueva Jersey y aprender qué pasos tomar si experimentan discriminación.
Haga clic aquí para registrarse en la sesión en español.
Los seminarios web, presentados por la División de Derechos Civiles de Nueva Jersey, se llevarán a cabo a través de Zoom de 6:00 p.m. a 7:30 p.m., en inglés el lunes 10 de noviembre y en español el jueves 13 de noviembre.
Se requiere inscripción previa.
“Nos enorgullece colaborar con la División de Derechos Civiles de Nueva Jersey (NJDCR) para ofrecer estos seminarios web,” dijo Flor Gonzalez, copresidenta de la UCHRC, quien también se desempeña como presidenta de la Coalición Latinoamericana de Plainfield.
“La discriminación en la vivienda en Nueva Jersey es ilegal, y existen protecciones sólidas que son aplicadas por la NJDCR,” agregó. “Los residentes deben saber que están protegidos por dos leyes poderosas — la Ley Contra la Discriminación (LAD) de Nueva Jersey y la Ley de Oportunidad Justa en la Vivienda (FCHA) — y entender qué acciones pueden tomar si creen que han sido discriminados.”
La LAD de Nueva Jersey prohíbe la discriminación en la venta, alquiler o financiamiento de viviendas basada en características protegidas, incluyendo raza, color, religión, credo, origen nacional, nacionalidad o ascendencia, sexo, embarazo o lactancia, orientación sexual, identidad o expresión de género, discapacidad, estado familiar (como tener hijos menores de 18 años), estado civil o de unión doméstica/civil, servicio militar, y/o fuente de ingresos legales (incluyendo asistencia de alquiler como la Sección 8).
“La ley aplica a todos los proveedores de vivienda, incluyendo propietarios, administradores de propiedades, agentes inmobiliarios, corredores, asociaciones de condominios y prestamistas, entre otros,” dijo Chanell Johnson, copresidenta de la UCHRC y fiscal adjunta en la Oficina del Fiscal del Condado de Union, que creó la UCHRC en 1991.
“Ejemplos de discriminación incluyen negarle el alquiler a cualquiera que utiliza un vale de vivienda, anunciar ‘sin niños’ o ‘solo profesionales que trabajan’, cobrar alquiler más alto según la raza o nacionalidad, o dirigir a los inquilinos a ciertas áreas según su etnia,” agregó Johnson.
El seminario web también cubrirá la FCHA (por sus siglas en inglés), formas comunes de discriminación en la vivienda y cómo presentar una queja de derechos civiles a través de la División de Derechos Civiles de Nueva Jersey.
- Regístrese para la presentación en inglés en línea en https://shorturl.at/KoamO.
- Regístrese para la presentación en español en línea en https://shorturl.at/HVAb3.
La División de Derechos Civiles de Nueva Jersey trabaja para prevenir, remediar y eliminar la discriminación y el acoso basado en prejuicios, y ofrece una amplia variedad de capacitaciones virtuales e interactivas en persona. Para más información, visite el sitio web del Fiscal General de Nueva Jersey en https://www.njoag.gov/about/divisions-and-offices/division-on-civil-rights- home/.
Para más información sobre la Comisión de Relaciones Humanas del Condado de Union, visite www.ucnj.org/uchrc, o envíe un correo electrónico a UCPO@UCPO.com (LÍNEA DE ASUNTO: UCHRC).
2026 Unity Achievement Award Nominations
Nomination Deadline: Thursday, December 18, 2025
NOMINATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ON OR BEFORE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2025
This will give our have the opportunity to review all submissions and request clarifying information so that the Commissioners have the opportunity to review all submissions and request clarifying information as necessary. If a nominee is not selected to receive an award for the year the nomination was submitted, it automatically will be considered for the following year. For future consideration, a new nomination form must be submitted, which would again be valid for two years.
Congratulations to our 2025 Unity Achievement Award Recipients!
The Union County Human Relations Commission
proudly presents our 2025 Unity Achievement Award recipients
Front row from left
- Geoff and Ginger Worden, founders, Bridges Outreach/Summit (SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT)
- Elizabeth J. Fritzen, President, Springfield First Aid Squad (PUBLIC SERVICE)
- Tanner Moore, 3rd grade student at Lincoln School, Garwood (STUDENT)
- Union County First Assistant Prosecutor James O. Tansey, UCHRC Commissioner and Advisor
Second row
- Obinna Orekie, 8th grades tudent at Miles J. McManus School, Linden (STUDENT);
- Assistant Prosecutor Gina Iosim, Union County Prosecutors Office’s Community Prosecution Division, Community Response Unit , who accepted the award for the Union County Blue Envelope Program (SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT)
Third row
- Kate Lee, Executive Director, New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking (COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION)
- Sebastian Mercado, 11th grade student at New Providence High School (STUDENT)
- Michael Boll, President accepting the award for the New Jersey Veterans Network (VETERAN/MILITARY ORGANIZATION)
- UCHRC Co-Chair Linda Weissbrod
Back row
- Shawn Johnson, Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District Security/Safety Specialist and Head Varsity Football Coach (EDUCATOR)
- Donna Setaro, M.A.R.C Campaign (Move Over Law) (INDIVIDUAL)
- Chief Kenneth Grady, (ret. Kenilworth Police Department), President, New Jersey Retired Policemens’ and Firemen’s Association — Union and Somerset Counties (Local 3) (LAW ENFORCEMENT)
- Chanell Johnson, UCHRC Co-Chair.
Congratulations to our 2024 Unity Achievement Award Recipients!
The Union County Human Relations Commission
proudly presents our
2024 Unity Achievement Award recipients
Front row from left
- Chanell Johnson, UCHRC Co-Chair
- Linda Weissbrod, UCHRC Co-Chair
- (STUDENT) Sebastian Nativo, Seton Hall Preparatory School
- (FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATION) Olibesi Longe, Hands of Grace Ministry of St. Michael’s Church/Union
- (BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT) Joseph R, O’Neill / Benner’s Auto Body/Cranford (with his son)
- First Assistant Prosecutor James O. Tansey, UCHRC Commissioner and Advisor
Second row
- (SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT) Eliana Peñaranda Zamora, Joseph E. Soehl Middle School, Linden
- (SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT) Ricardo Gesualdo Roig, Kean University Artist-in-Residence
Third row
- (COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION) Ingrid Floyd, Iris House
- (EDUCATOR) Tami M. Grimes, Hillside Public School Special Education Teacher
Fourth row
- (NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION) Allison Millan, International Rescue Committee
- (HEALTHCARE) Judy C. Washington, MD, Atlantic Medical Group/Atlantic Health System
- (VETERAN) Robert E. Jeans Sr. , U.S. Army Veteran, Vietnam War; Commander, Kenilworth VFW Post 2230
Fifth row
- (CLERGY) Rev. Dr. Wanda Marie Lundy, Siloam Hope First Presbyterian Church, Elizabeth (313+ Ancestors Speak Project)
- (LAW ENFORCEMENT) SLEO 1 Officer Marilyn Gallman-Adams, Scotch Plains Police Department
Sixth row
- (SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT) Elissa Zylbershlag, Director of Education and Training, NJDivision on Civil Rights
- (CLERGY) Nancy Jean Benz (313+ Ancestors Speak Project)
Back row
- (SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT) John T. Guempel, EII Inc. and Auxiliary Sergeant, Cranford Police Department
- (INDIVIDUAL) Alvaro Llanos (After The Fire)
- (INDIVIDUAL) Shawn Simons (After The Fire)
- (PUBLIC SERVICE) Eileen Leahey, Director of Publlc Affairs, PSE&G (ret.)
Not Pictured
- (MEDIA) Taylor Jung, Social Media Reporter, New Jersey Spotlight News
Congratulonaions to our 2023 Unity Achievement Award Recipients!
- COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION — New Providence Intergenerational Club members Mitchell Toomey, Steven Parker, Jack Lepre, Ben Fiscelli, and creator Konstantin Munoz
- SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT — Adrienne Robertiello, Special Health Care/Autism Educator, Children’s Specialized Hospital
- INDIVIDUAL — Cindy Hannen, Chair, Cranford Interfaith Human Relations Committee
- SPECIAL RECOGNITION — former UCHRC Commissioner Nora Mislan (Co-Chair 2016-2018)
- EDUCATOR — Lynn Randle, Director of Guidance, Hillside High School
- SPECIAL RECOGNITION — UCHRC Commissioner Martin Dickerson, Co-Chair 2021-2023
- BUSINESS ENTERPRISE — John Samsel/Samsel and Associates Real Estate Services
Third Row.
- NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION— Rahway Food for Friends, President Patricia Carter
- PUBLIC SAFETY — Union County Police Department Officer-In-Charge Captain (now Chief) Martin Mogensen, accepting on behalf of the 160 employees of the Union County Department of Public Safety for their incredible response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fourth Row.
- SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT— Greg Muller, Union County Crisis Intervention Team Member
- LAW ENFORCEMENT— Detective Alex Lopez, Union County Prosecutor’s Office
- SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT— Union County Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor Doreen Yanik (ret.)
Top Row
- MILITARY/VETERAN — Jay “Doc” Boxwell, United States Navy Veteran, State Commander of the New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars, and former Commander of Cranford V.F.W. All-American Post 335
- BUSINESS ENTERPRISE — Dr. Patrick Smith/Smith Chiropractic Association
- SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT — Detective Dariusz Tokarz, Union County Prosecutor’s Office
NOT PICTURED.
- STUDENT — Michael Richards, Lamberts Mill Academy. His award was presented on Wednesday, May 10th at the Academy.
- COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION — New Providence Intergenerational Club member Samantha Zack
- PUBLIC SERVICE — the 160 employees of the Union County Department of Public Safety, who were all invited to attend a special departmental presentation on Thursday, May 4th at the Public Safety Building in Westfield.
Click here for photo from the event
UCHRC’s 2020 Unity Achievement Award
The UCHRC’s 2020 Unity Achievement Award recipients were honored on Thursday, June 9th at a reception held in the Kean University STEM Building Atrium.
- Front row from left: H. Edward Davenport, Cranford’s TV-35; Juanita Nelson (Mother of posthumous honoree Westfield High School Principal Dr. Derrick Nelson).
- Second row: Emmy Asinelli accepting award for Dr. Michael Skolnick DMD; Morgan K. Nelson (Dr. Nelson’s daughter).
- Third Row: Patricia Bixel, Director, StarFish Food Pantry of Plainfield; Theresa Cowing, Board Secretary, Moms Helping Moms Foundation; Sheronda Jackson (Dr. Derrick Nelson’s fiance);
- Fourth Row: Miguel Edgehill, Covenant United Methodist Church of Plainfield; Allison Sanchez, Educational Services Commission of New Jersey’s Adult Community Services; Jennifer Popper, Editor, TAPinto Plainfield.
- Back Row: Heroes4Heroes Superhero / Retired Union County Department of Corrections Officer Peter Femia; Retired Springfield Police Lieutenant Michael McNany and Retired Springfield Police Sgt. Edward McNany, McNany Charitable Foundation Inc.
- Not pictured: WWII Navy Veteran Daniel Sullivan (presented posthumously); Sally and Mike Cursi, Shining Stars Network; Joyce Benz, Program Director, Union County Intensive Family Support Services, Mental Health Association in New Jersey; Mallory Banks, Scotch Plains-Fanwood; Rabbi Avi Friedman, Congregation Ohr Shalom/Summit Jewish Community Center; Westfield Public Schools Supervisor of Guidance Maureen Mazzarese; former Westfield Police Officer Tiffany Kenny; SCP Youth Soccer Inc. founders Rodrigo DaSilva and Steven Valeira; and Dr. Derrrick Nelson’s father, Willie Nelson.
- Click here for photos
About the UCHRC
The Union County Human Relations Commission (UCHRC) was created by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office in 1991.
The Commission serves to promote and encourage a more peaceful and ecumenical society in Union County, by providing support to bias crime victims who are targets of a crime because of their race, creed, color, religion, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity/expression, socio-economic status, or physical or mental challenges, and by intervening to eradicate the conditions that ultimately cause them.
The UCHRC addresses the issues of prejudice, bias and racism and their impact on our local schools, workplaces and neighborhoods.
Our mission, and the focus of our efforts and activities, is to actively encourage, develop, promote and strengthen respect for human rights and cultural diversity among the people of Union County.
Simply stated, the UCHRC celebrates the richness of life that cultural diversity brings to our communities and ourselves.
The Commission consists of a group of Union County residents from diverse personal and professional backgrounds who volunteer their time to serve.
For the past two decades, the Union County Human Relations Commission has continued to earn our statewide reputation of being a Commission that is progressive, interested and involved.
Being a group of like-minded volunteers, we are constrained by the resources and time available among us.
Despite our sparse resources, we continue to use our leverage to gain the broadest exposure and impact.
Meetings are held every other month on Monday evening at the John H. Stamler Police Academy in Scotch Plains. UCHRC Sub-Committees meet as needed to address and implement specific projects.
For more information, please contact Commissioner/Recording Secretary Karen E. Positan by email at Karen.Positan@UCPO.org.
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