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The third Hudson County Community Resource Fair hosted by Hudson County Executive Craig Guy and Commissioner Fanny Cedeño was held on Saturday in Union City in partnership with Mayor Brian P. Stack.
The community fairs are expected to be held at different municipalities to bring experts and resources directly to residents. Representatives are on site to assist people with applications for services like childcare, veterans’ benefits, mental health services or rental and housing assistance.
“There are many people who are suffering economically, whether it’s due to the pandemic, lack of work, [or] perhaps the status that they have here in this country,” said Commissioner Cedeño. “So to bring them a program like this… they can know what is available for them, what they qualify for and if they can really have the support that they are looking for.”
The Department of Family Services and Reintegration were taking applications for SNAP, Medicaid and cash eligibility welfare programs. They also had their social services offices taking applications for any county residents that needed assistance for backed rent or utilities as well as emergency shelter placement.
Their offices, which are located on 257 Cornelison Ave in Jersey City, will also host their own resource event on April 27 where their departments and other community partners will be there to assist residents outside of normal business hours.
The Hudson County Community Resource Fair also provides experts with information about scholarships, vaccinations for the Flu or COVID-19, assistance with immigration casework and grants for small businesses.
The Hudson County Economic Development Corporation, which has been in attendance to the three fairs thus far, helps small Hudson County businesses access capital, provide educational events and connect to additional resources.
These resource fairs are part of an initiative that Guy and his administrations are pushing forward to make sure community members are aware of the resources the county provides but also can access them in a safe and familiar environment in case they are not able to visit the physical offices.
“Sometimes people don’t have the access to get down to Jersey City to experience some of the services so we are going to come to them and this will not be the last one,” Guy told Slice of Culture.
The next resource fair will be held at County Prep High School in Jersey City on April 13. For more information, visit hcnj.us.
