Photo courtesy of Textures & Kinks Natural Hair Care Salon / Facebook.
There have been many initiatives this week in Hudson County to support the community, and you can read all about them right here.
Tired Of Buying Diapers? Register Here To Get Them For Free
AngelaCARES is a community organization based in Hudson County that is committed to being an advocate and support system for senior citizens, caregivers, youth volunteers and the Hudson County community at large.
They now have their August Diaper Registration open and are accepting registrations for their August diaper distribution until they reach full capacity.
Families with babies can email [email protected] to sign up and seniors are asked to call their office at 201-706-2884.
Registration will stay open until they reach full capacity.
Good News Parents! This Local Preschool Is Expanding Their Enrollment
A North Bergen learning center is expanding and is accepting enrollment to their space as well as their afterschool program.
A Step Ahead Learning Center, located at 610 76th Street in North Bergen, is now accepting infants of 6 weeks to age 13.
Open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., they utilize “Creative Curriculum,” which is a research-based approach that targets curiosity, creativity and confidence through hands-on learning and purposeful play.
The learning center also offers childcare for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and afterschool programs. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are included and made fresh daily by their in-house chef.
There are limited sports available, so you can DM them at https://www.instagram.com/astepaheadlc/ or call them at (201) 869-5335.
Here’s How You Can Support Black Business Month In Hudson County
August is National Black Business Month and it is a time to recognize and support Black-owned businesses all throughout Hudson County!
Whether it’s a local restaurant, wellness studio, fashion brand or creative services, Black entrepreneurs have continuously shaped the community and continues to grow.
Here are some of Hudson County’s Black-owned businesses:
- Crepe Guru – 110 Bright Street, Jersey City
- Jersey & Co. Gelato – 55 Mallory Street, Jersey City
- Ko Cafe – 722 Grand Street, Jersey City
- Griot Cafe – 398 Central Avenue, Jersey City,
- Textures & Kinks Natural Hair Care Salon – 191 LeFante Way, Bayonne
- Starfish And Chips – 991 Broadway, Bayonne
- The Grind Shop – 293 Suydam Avenue, Jersey City
- NoHu Rooftop Bar & Restaurant – 550 Avenue at Port Imperial, Weehawken
Know more? DM us your favorites on Instagram!
Calling All Jersey City Residents! Do You Want To Be Featured In A Portrait Project?
A local street and documentary photographer is launching a passion project and is looking for longtime Jersey City residents to be a part of it.
Kris Pierce, who was born and raised in the Jersey City Heights, is working on a portrait and storytelling project that highlights longtime residents and/or business owners who have helped shape Jersey City and “witnessed its transformation over the years.”
Pierce is looking to photograph individuals who have lived or worked in Jersey City for 10 or more years, especially those who are known in their neighborhoods, run local shops, or hold some type of space in their communities.
Along with the portraits, there will be brief interviews to capture each person’s experience and connection to the city.
“This project is focused on celebrating the people who give Jersey City its identity and charm – beyond the headlines and new high-rises,” Pierce wrote in a Facebook group “JERSEY CITY MY HOMETOWN.”
This is a passion project, therefore payment cannot be offered, but Pierce can provide a free 5×7 print of your portrait.
If you want to participate, here’s what you can expect:
- Take a few portraits of you sitting or standing in front of your home, apartment or business.
- Portraits will be followed by a brief off-camera interview.
- You will be asked a few open-ended questions about your experience in Jersey City and what it means to you. It will be audio recorded on Pierce’s iPhone for transcription purposes only. The style is casual and personal, similar to Humans of New York
- If you don’t want to be the sole subject, you’re welcome to bring along a loved one who is also a Jersey City resident to sit in on the session with you.
- The full session will take no more than 45 minutes.
- Free to participate!
If you’re interested or know someone who would like to be part of it, you can message Pierce on Instagram or on krispvisuals.myportfolio.com.
Hudson County Appoints New Acting Prosecutor
As longtime Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez steps down for retirement, a new acting prosecutor steps up and into the role.
Wayne Mello was tapped as the new acting Hudson County prosecutor on July 31, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced earlier this month. Mello has been serving the county as first assistant prosecutor since 2016.
“As Acting Hudson County Prosecutor, Wayne Mello will bring valuable prosecutorial and leadership experience, institutional knowledge and continuity,” Platkin said.
“I also want to thank his predecessor, Esther Suarez, for her many years of dedicated public service, during which she built up her office’s investigative, emergency-response, and victim-advocacy capabilities, and worked hard in seeking justice and making Hudson County safer.”
Prior to joining the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office (HCPO), Mello served with the Morris and Bergen County prosecutor’s offices where he was the chief homicide assistant prosecutor.
Mello has also “tried high-profile murder cases,” according to Platkin.
Mello graduated from St. Peter’s University and then went on to the Rutgers School of Law. He was admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 1977. He also served in the military in the Vietnam War. There, he achieved the rank of Infantry First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
Mello will supervise the HCPO’s 70 assistant prosecutors and more than 100 detectives who investigate and prosecute cases involving violent crime, gun violence, narcotics distribution, cybercrimes, gang activity and more.
These Local Hospital Workers And Nurses Reach ‘Hard Fought’ Agreement
Bayonne University Hospital workers and Jersey City nurses at The Heights University—which is reportedly formerly known as Christ Hospital—were able to secure increased wages and benefits, avoiding any looming strike.
The Hudson County View reported the win over a week ago when HPAE President Debbie White released a statement underlining the victory.
“The two HPAE bargaining committees were each initially presented with dozens of pages of employer proposals that would have completely decimated each of the local contracts,” HPAE President Debbie White said in a statement.
“Not only did these strong union members fight back most of the employer takebacks, but they were able to win significant wages and benefits as well. We hope these new contracts will lay the groundwork for better management of these hospitals and improved patient care.”
The new contract for HPAE Local 5185—a union for registered nurses, professionals, technical staff, service workers and business office clericals—is the first to guarantee that Certified Nursing Assistants’ (CNA) safe staffing ratio will be one CNA for every nine patients. HPAE will also get an “across-the-board” wage increase for a minimum of 12% in the first year of the contract, followed by 3% in the second and third years.
The contract also listed better benefits and improved working conditions.
“This contract was hard fought for by our unionized healthcare workers. From day one we stood united to stop any take-aways and push for our top priority of safe staffing guaranteed in our union contract,” White stated.
Know any local news we should include? Email Stella Accettola at [email protected]!
