Union County National Night Out for Everyone: The First of its Kind, Inclusive Celebration for All

Union County is proud to host the nation's first-ever inclusive, accessible, and sensory-supportive National Night Out, taking place on Tuesday, August 6th, 2024, from 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm at the Cranford Campus of UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ.

This collaborative effort between the Union County Board of County Commissioners, Union County Prosecutor's Office, Children's Specialized Hospital, Union County Police Department, Union County Sheriff's Department and UCNJ promises a fun-filled evening welcoming all ages and abilities.

The event will be held both indoors and outdoors at UCNJ and will feature a variety of activities for the whole family, including but not limited to:

• Interactive Activities: Photo Booth, Connect Four Game, Bubbles Corner, Silent Disco, Meet the Police Canines, Touch-a-Truck with Rescue Vehicles, and an appearance by McGruff the Crime Dog.
• Food and Drinks: Delicious treats from Rita's Italian Ice Station, fresh fruit, and snacks.
• Informational Tables: Representatives from Union County Public Information, UCNJ Admissions, Kean University, UCPO Welcome Headquarters & Volunteer Station, UCPO Table, ARRIVE Together/CIT, Blue Envelope/Special Needs Registry, Autism New Jersey, Inroads to Opportunities, The Arc, ICMS (Integrated Case Management Services), Children's Specialized Hospital, Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families.
• Sensory Support Stations: Dedicated spaces offering temporary tattoos, face painting, coloring sheets, activity sheets, color and calm books for caregivers, and electronic displays in a common area.
• Movement and Play: Interactive and movement-based games, a Lightning Wheels apparatus, a plastic can toss game, plastic Jenga, a Police Q&A spinning wheel, and an obstacle course.
• Relaxation and Support: A designated quiet zone with social stories available.

Union County Prosecutor William Daniel shares his excitement about the first-of-its-kind event.

"National Night Out is a wonderful tradition in building police-community relationships, but it is important to remember that not everyone experiences the world in the same way. It's vital to ensure everyone feels welcome and safe. By creating an environment with designated quiet areas and offering adaptable activities, we can make this event truly inclusive for all residents of Union County, regardless of physical, intellectual, developmental, and cognitive abilities."

"We are immensely proud to be the first county in the nation to host an inclusive and sensory- supportive National Night Out," said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri- Mouded. "This event allows all residents, regardless of their abilities, to come together and celebrate, developing stronger, more inclusive connections across Union County. We invite everyone to join us for this historic celebration of community, safety, and inclusion."

"We're thrilled to be a partner of Union County's National Night Out for Everyone and to share our expertise in creating an inclusive, sensory friendly and accessible environment," said Matthew B. McDonald III, MD, President and CEO, Children's Specialized Hospital. "We applaud the County for recognizing a gap in offerings at this national event and enlisting the needed support to create a space where everyone can participate equally. We look forward to a wonderful night of community camaraderie."

"We are proud to partner with the County of Union and the Prosecutor's Office to support this important community event. Not only is it a great way to connect law enforcement to residents, but it is an opportunity for us to showcase our Cranford Campus. As an open-access community college, we meet students where they are. We have students of all abilities, and we are particularly proud to partner on this kind of inclusive, welcoming event," stated UCNJ President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin.

National Night Out is a nationwide campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Union County's event is a fantastic opportunity to connect with local law enforcement, learn about valuable resources, and celebrate our diverse community in an inclusive, accessible, and sensory-supportive environment.

Union County National Night Out for Everyone promises to be a unique and memorable event for all. Join us as we celebrate community, safety, and inclusion!

This event is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is encouraged but not mandatory. More information can be found at ucnj.org/ucnno.

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