United Way of Greater Union County (UWGUC) announced the grand opening celebration of its newest facility in Rahway, during its 55th year of serving the residents of Greater Union County.
The event, set to take place Sept. 18 from 10 a.m. to noon at 219 Central Ave., Rahway, will bring together community leaders, partners, supporters and volunteers to honor the organization’s incredible history and look ahead to a future of continued impact.
The move to this building, made possible thanks to the generosity of the City of Rahway and lead Building Hope in Our Community Capital Campaign sponsor Wells Fargo, will serve as a testament to the collective achievements and the legacy of UWGUC as a transformative force in addressing critical issues within the community. Over the past 55 years, UWGUC has remained committed to improving lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities to advance the common good.
United Way of Greater Union County has revived the former Elizabethtown Gas Company building, which has been vacant since 2018, with support from REDCOM, Hyde and Watson Foundation, Grassman, Union Foundation, Stilo Disposal, Novo LLC Commercial Flooring, Leebro Plumbing and other sponsors. The building will be home to the UWGUC administrative office and a new Success Center, powered by Wells Fargo. The Success Center will serve as a community-based resource center that provides a variety of support services aimed at workforce development, health, education and family empowerment for individuals and families of greater Union County.
“It is truly a feather in downtown Rahway’s cap to attract a premier non-profit brand to downtown Rahway,” Rahway Mayor Raymond A. Giacobbe Jr. said. “This move increases the availability of services for our residents and will further increase the vibrance and vitality of the northern end of town.”
Plans for expansion and enhancement of current services will be shared at the event. Additionally, UWGUC will acknowledge and honor long-time donors and volunteer supporters for their dedication to community development and their extensive philanthropic efforts, which have significantly contributed to the organization’s mission of creating a lasting and positive impact on the greater Union County community.
“This Grand Opening represents a major milestone for United Way of Greater Union County,” Julienne Cherry, president and CEO of UWGUC, said. “Over the past 55 years, we have seen the tremendous impact we can achieve when we unite in our mission to create lasting change in our community. As we celebrate this significant milestone, we are grateful for the unwavering support from our partners, volunteers, and donors who have been instrumental in our journey.”
he success of this bold move and grand event is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors. UWGUC extends its heartfelt gratitude to the following sponsors for their dedication and commitment to the community:
United Way of Greater Union County: “In 2023, under new leadership and with a fresh, dynamic perspective to community partnerships, UWGUC committed to a Capital Campaign to raise the necessary funds to acquire, renovate and move to the new headquarters in Rahway. This large-scale fundraising campaign, Building Hope in Our Community has a lofty goal of $1.5MM to renovate and enhance our new facility to accommodate a family Success Center managed by UWGUC. This Success Center has the potential to double the depth and breadth of our services to more families in need and in crises with direct oversight. This is a critical time in our organization’s history, and community support will allow us to expand our high-quality, impactful services that ensure Greater Union County residents have access to a range of services and a continuum of care for all stages of life, from prenatal to adulthood,” said Martin P. Melilli, chair, Board of Trustees UWGUC.
Wells Fargo: “For 100 years, United Way of Greater Union County has played a key role in community growth and improving the lives of individuals, children and families in the Greater Union County area. Wells Fargo’s sponsorship is another example of our continued partnership and shared goal to provide resources for thousands of New Jersey families in need. We are thrilled to be part of the Grand Opening to celebrate this significant milestone in the history of the organization,” said Tomas Porturas, vice president of Philanthropy and Community Impact for New Jersey at Wells Fargo.
REDCOM: “At REDCOM we’re committed to supporting the communities where we work and live with our families and friends as we help build the world we want tomorrow. We are proud to sponsor United Way’s Grand Opening and help further their mission of creating lasting impact on the Greater Union County community.” – Joe, REDCOM
UWGUC’s Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting event promises to be an unforgettable event, showcasing the organization’s journey and the significant contributions made to improve the lives of countless individuals and families in the Greater Union County area.
For more information about UWGUC and the Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting, please visit uwguc.org. To support the expansion and enhancement of necessary programs to assist Union County residents through the Building Hope in Our Community Capital Campaign, contact UWGUC at [email protected] or call 908-353-7171.