JERSEY CITY, NJ. April 16, 2024 (Biz Republic) — Hudson County Executive Craig Guy and the Board of County Commissioners continued their initiative to connect county, local and federal resources to municipalities by hosting a Hudson County Community Resource Fair at County Prep High School in Jersey City. Congressman Rob Menendez (N.J.-08), State Senator Angela McKnight (D-31), and County Commissioners Romano, O’Dea, Walker, and Aponte-Lipski were in attendance.
On Saturday, April 13, Jersey City residents accessed over a dozen resource tables that hosted various departments and agencies within the county, directly providing them the critical resources and services they need – with translators available for all Spanish-speaking citizens. These resources and services included details for senior citizen services, childcare and health care, small business programs and grant opportunities, as well as vaccinations administered by Hudson Regional Health.
“Through my administration’s efforts to prioritize the accessibility of County services for the community, residents who attended the County Community Resource Fair in Jersey City had the opportunity to receive the information and assistance they needed in a one-stop-shop format,” said Hudson County Executive Craig Guy. “If a resident requires services or information from two or more separate departments, they would otherwise have to travel across the county to reach them – whereas these Resource Fairs enable them to simply walk to the next table and receive the help they need.”
“The Jersey City Resource Fair connected residents interested in business or development opportunities to the County’s EDC and Department of Planning and Business Opportunity, and knowledgeable staff were available to give them the insight they needed to succeed in Hudson County,” said Hudson County Commissioner and Chairman, Anthony ‘Stick’ Romano.
“Hudson County is protective over the health and care of it’s residents, and through the County Community Resource Fair in Jersey City, members of the community and their families were able to consult the Department of Health and Human Services as well as Hudson Regional Health,” said Hudson County Commissioner William O’Dea.
“During these community-based events, staff are available at each table to help every resident fill out applications and connect to the necessary services and departments offered within our county, including the Department of Housing and Community Integration,” said Hudson County Commissioner, Yraida Aponte Lipski. “Many people within Hudson County are facing housing issues, and by attending the County Community Resource Fairs, they can receive financial, educational, child and vocational support to assist them in leading self-sufficient lives.”
“With the many resources available to residents in our County, it is our duty to ensure those residents and their families, especially those in Jersey City, have access to them,” said Hudson County Commissioner and Vice Chairperson, Jerry Walker. “This is especially true when related to the food insecurity crisis that severely impacts Hudson County families in every municipality. Residents that attend these Resource Fairs are able to sign-up and even receive the food stamps and other economic relief they need for themselves and their families.”
“These resource fairs are about community,” said State Senator Angela McKnight (D-31). “But they’re also about bringing together the offices of Hudson County, working together to help solve constituent issues. I was proud to see these agencies come together to serve the community and provide help to those most in need.”
“I was proud to see Hudson County staff hard at work helping residents in Jersey City,” said Representative Rob Menendez (N.J.-08). “These fairs bring together the county’s resources in a convenient location and allow staff to immediately address concerns and issues of the community. I had a great time speaking and interacting with families and community members at the event and am proud of County Executive Guy’s work in hosting the fair.”
The Hudson County Community Resource Fairs are one of the many initiatives County Executive Guy and the County Board of Commissioners have undertaken to meet residents where they are, in their communities, while drawing together services and County departments in one place to directly service the people and families that need them. The Jersey City Community Resource Fair is the fourth installment of these events, the previous two were held in Bayonne, Kearny, and Union City.
Community Resource Fairs will be coming to all 12 municipalities in the County, and the upcoming Resource Fair will be held in Hoboken on April 27th.
