Union County Student Training and Enrichment Program

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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.

Previous Years

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.

Support 4 Soldiers

Photos from the event

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!

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.

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!

Garments and Gear Wrap Up Day

“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.

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.

Learn more

Canstruction Project – Kans 4 Kids – Canstruction Project

Highlights – Kans 4 Kids Civic Engagement Campaign

The Union County Student Training and Enrichment Program (UC STEP) program has kicked off! There were more than 100 students and others in attendance from 12 high schools across Union County including:

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.

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

Other Photos

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.

Event Photos

Union County County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados presents checks and resolutions to students and teachers congratulating them on winning the 2018 UC STEP Start Now Grant and the participating in the UC STEP “Branches Against Bullying” Civic Engagement Campaign. They were joined by Assemblywoman Linda Carter, Union County Deputy Manager Amy Wagner and Deana Mesaros of the Union County Department of Economic Development.

The first place winner of the UC STEP Start Now Grant “Branches Against Bullying” is Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy in Elizabeth ($1,000). New Providence High School, Union County TEAMS Charter School and Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights received Honorary Mentions ($250 each)

UC STEP (Union County Student Training & Enrichment Program) 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, personal growth skills, and responsibility within their communities.

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

Union County County Commissioner Chairman Sergio Granados and County Commissioners Linda Carter and Alexander Mirabella presented resolutions to members of Color Group Orange from the Union County Student Training and Enrichment Program (UC STEP) congratulating them on winning the Civic Engagement Challenge of 2018 UC STEP. They were joined by Union County Deputy Manager Amy Wagner and Deana Mesaros of the Department of Economic Development.

More than 200 sophomores and junior students from high schools throughout Union County participated in the annual program, which took place in December 2017 at Kean University in Union.

Color Group Orange’s campaign, “Branches Against Bullying” will be a compliment drive of positive and uplifting messages written on leaves of the “Branches Against Bullying” tree. These trees will be placed in all participating schools for students to take a compliment leaf whenever one is needed.

Color Group Orange members attend the following high schools: Arthur L. Johnson High School, Governor Livingston High School, John E. Dwyer Technology Academy, Jonathon Dayton High School, Linden High School, New Providence High School, Plainfield High School, Scotch Plains- Fanwood High School, Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy and Union High School.

Project Photos

Check Presentation

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.

Learn More

Event Photos

Union County County Commissioners Sergio Granados, Rebecca Williams, Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded and Christopher Hudak present checks and resolutions to students and teachers congratulating them on winning the 2018/2019 UC STEP Start Now Grant and for participating in the UC STEP “Link Up for Life” Suicide Awareness and Prevention Civic Engagement Campaign for their tireless effort to give back to communities in need.

They were joined by Union County Deputy Manager Amy Wagner and Deana Mesaros of the Union County Department of Economic Development.

The first place winner of the UC STEP Start Now Grant “Link Up for Life” is the Benedictine Academy in Elizabeth. The runners-up are the UC Teams Charter School and Roselle Catholic High School.

The County Commissioner Board also presented a resolution and a check to Caring Contact Executive Director Janet Sarkos acknowledging the efforts of the award-winning, volunteer-staffed caring and crisis hotline and listening community for those dealing with depression, anxiety, other sources of stress or suicidal thoughts. Caring Contact received a donation of the proceeds raised by the UC STEP “Link Up for Life” Suicide Awareness and Prevention Civic Engagement Campaign.

5K Wrap Up

Union County Students Create New “Link Up for Life-5K” Community Service Campaign

Union County County Commissioner Vice Chairman Alexander Mirabella and Commissioner Rebecca Williams presented resolutions to students on the winning teams during the Commissioner Meeting on Thursday, January 24 congratulating them on winning the 2019 UC Step Civic Engagement project challenge with the combined project titled “Link Up for Life-5K” campaign. They were joined by Union County Deputy Manager Amy Wagner and Deana Mesaros of the Department of Economic Development. (credit: James Lowney/County of Union)

Union County, NJ – On January 24, students in the UC STEP youth development program were presented with resolutions by the Union County Board of Commissioners, congratulating them on winning the 2019 UC Step Civic Engagement challenge. UC STEP is a Commissioner initiative that provides high school students with opportunities to create countywide community service programs.

Each December, students from throughout Union County gather at the annual UC STEP Summit, where they divide into teams and participate in leadership workshops. As a highlight of the day’s activities, each team creates a countywide community service program. The winning campaigns are supported by the Commissioner Board each spring.

More than 200 students participated in the UC STEP summit last December.

“This year we asked our UC STEP participants for their ideas on the theme of suicide prevention. Their responses impressed us with their thoughtfulness, sensitivity, and grasp of the issues. We have combined two of them into one campaign, to make an even bigger impact,” said Commissioner Chair Bette Jane Kowalski.

The new campaign is called “Link Up for Life-5K.” It combines a 5-K fundraiser with a display of linked-together messages. The display is intended to represent support for those who are struggling.

“Through this fundraising event and the display of messages, we hope to demonstrate that Union County residents are aware of and care about supporting family, friends and strangers alike who need a guiding light in troubled times,” said Commissioner Chair Kowalski.

Funds raise through Link Up for Life-5K will benefit 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.

The winning campaigns were created by students in the Color Group Orange and the Color Group Blue teams.

The Color Group Orange participants are Lily Gull – Arthur L. Johnson High School; Estalin J. Jadan – Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy – Jasalyn Hardy – Admiral William F. Halsey Leadership Academy; Miguel Campusano and Joseph Espinal – J. Christian Bollwage Finance Academy; Izabella Pinto-Cranford High School; Alexis Pinto – David Brearly High School; Sean McMahon-Governor Livingston High School Omar Chambers-Hillside High School; Ambar Concepcion-John E. Dwyer Technology Academy- Tiffany Gonzalez-Rahway High School; Michele Kamienski-Roselle Park High School-Brooke Arnold – New Providence High School-India Hill-Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Academy; Lourdes Castillo A. Contreras- Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy-Cynthia Diaz and Grace Lawal-U.C. TEAMS; Kayla Hsu-Union County Vocational-Technical Schools and Taylor Phillips-Union High School.

The Color Group Blue participants are Andres Rodriguez and Eduardo Martinez-Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy; Manuela Lopes-Admiral William F. Halsey Leadership Academy; Maryann Atlalla and Briana Nicole Evelyn-Benedictine Academy; Erin Lynskey-Cranford High School; Nick Tarabokia and David Martinez-Governor Livingston High School; Adamaris Vizueth and Jason Alvarez-John E. Dwyer Technology Academy; Derrick Cosby Hurling and Emily Sznurkowski-Linden High School, Samuel Dorielan-Rahway High School; Matthew L. Burgos and Nina Worthey-Roselle Catholic High School; Justin Cabarle and Sarah Lippin-Roselle Park High School; Antoinette Chango-Scotch Pains-Fanwood High School; Scott Cohen, Summit High School; Larithsa Alcino- Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Academy– Vocational Education High School and Serenity Nova-Union High School.

The Link Up for Life-5K event will take place on April 13.

2019

The 2019 winning community service initiative, “It Makes Sense To…Come to your Census 2020” intended on raising awareness about the funding that the census impacts throughout communities.

The pandemic prompted a series of unprecedented events that led to a shutdown resulting in a disruption and cancellation of this project.

Poster Contest

IT MAKES SENSE TO COME TO YOUR CENSUS

This community service project focuses on bringing awareness about the funding that the census impacts through the schools and community by running a sticker and bracelet drive.

Community members can take the sticker and bracelet to the Union County Performing Arts Center to get free tickets for the APA Vocational Spring Musical.

COUNTING OUR COUNTY

This community service project spreads awareness through schools by bringing the conversation of the importance of the census through peer-peer approach. It also includes a visual representation of how many people the census represents by creating paper people cut outs that has students fill out a small pledge worded “I count in” and the student’s name and grade.

On the back of the paper cut outs will contain facts about the census and what it impacts. These paper cut outs will be hung within the schools. By filling out the paper cut outs, the students will be automatically entered into a raffle of gift cards etc. There will be a winner for each high school that participates.

COUNT ME IN 2020

This community service project creates a Diversity Food Carnival requiring for those interested to attend to fill out and complete a census as a free ticket into the carnival. The duration of the carnival would be dependent on the schools and the carnival would be funded through sponsors.

This approach to the census ensures that community members fill out the census and learn the importance of the different populations that it impacts.