Women’s Day Luncheon focus: closing the gender gap
The 2016 International Women’s Day Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, March 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Son Cubano. This year’s theme is “Pledge for Parity,” which focuses on closing the worldwide gender gap. Please contact Tiffany A. Marcano, Director of Cultural Affairs for the town of West New York, at (201) 295-5101 with any questions or concerns.
Coalition receives federal grant to help prevent substance abuse
The Union City Prevention Partnership (UCPC), in partnership with the City of Union City, has received a $625,000 federal grant to help prevent youth substance use.
The funding through the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program will be utilized to prevent youth substance use, including alcohol, prescription drugs, marijuana, and tobacco. The grant covers five years (and is eligible for an additional five years of funding) and will be used to involve and engage the local community.
“We know that evidence-based prevention efforts are the most effective way to reduce youth substance use and to support the roughly 90 percent of American youth who do not use drugs,” says Michel Botticelli, director of National Drug Control Policy. “By bringing together schools, businesses, law enforcement, parent groups, and other members of the community, DFC-funded community coalitions are helping to protect youth from the devastating consequences of non-medical prescription drug use, heroin and other substance use.”
Union City Mayor Brian P. Stack congratulated the UCPC for securing the grant.
“All of us in Union City are committed to preventing substance use among our young people, and this grant will go a long way toward making sure our youth understand the dire effects of substance use,” says Mayor Stack.
A national report issued by the DFC in 2014 showed a significant decrease in past 30-day use of drugs among youth in DFC communities.
“Our goal is to make the City of Union City a safe and healthy environment for our youth,” says UCPC Project Coordinator Anthony Jenkins. “Prevention is a powerful tool to counteract drug usein our community and we will use this funding to help young people in Union City make healthy choices about substance use.”
Prime Cycle hosting benefit for Hudson County CASA
On Saturday, March 12, Prime Cycle will host a Spin for Kids! fundraiser to benefit Hudson County CASA. Beginning at 4:30 p.m., ride with one of your favorite Prime Cycle instructors while supporting a great cause. Enjoy a selection of wine and cheese following the event. The cost is $50 per bike, which includes shoes. To register, email Alexa DeRose at alexa@primecycle.com or call (201) 795-0900.
All proceeds directly benefit Hudson County CASA, a non-profit organization advocating for local foster children. CASA and its trained volunteers improve quality of life and ensure that needed services are available while helping to secure safe and permanent homes for each child.
Walk to benefit ovarian cancer research will be April 2
To help raise awareness about ovarian cancer and to raise fund to eventually develop a test, the New York and New Jersey chapters of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition will hold their 1st Annual Run/Walk at Liberty State Park on Saturday, April 2.
The National Ovarian Cancer Organization is the oldest and largest ovarian cancer organization in the United States, and the only one that has “feet on the street” in communities across the nation.
The 5K run/walk in Liberty State Park is one of 20 such events that will be held nationwide in 2016.
The cost for the April 2 walk is $35 for adults if they sign up before March 31. You can register on line at Nnocc.kintera.org/nyc.
Meet and greet the poet on March 18
Theresa “Terrie” Borrelli’s reading and book-signing, postponed from Feb. 28, will take place Friday, March 18, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Weehawken Nutrition Center, 201 Highwood Ave., and feature her new book, “A Mountain Always Climbed.”