Clinton Township Newsletter

2 1 J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5 u n i t e D w ay ' s f r e e t a x P r e P s e r v i C e h e l P s y o u k e e P m o r e o f y o u r h a r D - e a r n e D C a s h United Way of Hunterdon County (UWHC) is once again offering free tax preparation services to individuals and families through its IRS- certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Building on past success, United Way is now partnering with several local businesses and organizations in the community to extend the reach of the program. As a result this year's program has expanded and now offers free tax prep services at a number of locations throughout the county. The United Way tax program is completely free of charge – no hidden fees – and refunds can even be e-filed with the IRS in order to receive a rapid refund without any fees. Appointments are necessary but scheduling one is easy. For a complete list of sites and to schedule an appointment, call 2-1-1 or 877-652-1148; or visit uwhunterdon.org. UWHC's VITA program has no income limit, but there is a complex- ity limit. Common complexities preparers are unable to assist with include rental income and businesses with inventory. Call if you have questions about your return. Spanish-speaking preparers also are available upon request. If you prefer to do your taxes on your own, FREE online tax preparation is once again available. Go to myfreetaxes.com/uwhunterdon and you have access to assistance through a helpline provided by myfreetaxes. com in filing your return. A nominal fee may apply for household incomes of more than $58,000. This income limit is only associated with myfreetaxes.com. This IRS-certified service is available thanks to a unique partnership of United Way of Hunterdon County and the IRS. The goals of this pro- gram are to provide savings on tax preparation fees as well as assist individuals and families in the claiming of tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC), and to encourage putting some of your tax refunds into savings accounts. By claiming these credits and splitting re- funds, individuals and families have more money to pay bills, pay down debt and achieve or maintain financial stability. Last year, more than $1.25million in refunds benefited local families and the local economy! United Way is working to advance the common good by focusing on income, health and education. These are the building blocks for a good life - a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement, and good health. Change is happening! To become part of the change, visit www.uw- hunterdon.org, LIKE United Way of Hunterdon County on Facebook or call 908.782.3414. h u n t e r D o n h o s P i C e y o u t h a r t b e r e a v e m e n t P r o G r a m : h e a l i n G C h i l D r e n t h r o u G h a r t The Hunterdon Hospice Youth Art Bereavement Program is for children ages 5 to 18 who have experienced a loss. This 12-week series will be held every Thursday beginning January 29 through April 23 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the Senior Center at 4 Gaunt Place, Building 1 in Flemington. The fee for the program is $75 per family. The Hospice Youth Art Bereavement Program is sensitive to the differences of a child's response to death and loss. The creative arts therapy model focuses on teach- ing children healthy coping skills and how to deal with their grief. Since art therapy does not necessarily rely on verbal communication, a child who is shy or not able to articulate his or her feelings can work through grief by using art. Children are assigned to groups based on their developmental age. Being with peers who have had similar experiences normalizes the grief process. Through this interaction children learn to empathize with others, which can give them insight into their own pain. Listening and observing other children's expressions of grief may also help them openly express their own feelings. While children are involved in the art program, parents are encouraged to attend a special bereavement support group to help them cope with their grief. In addi- tion, the group helps parents learn about their child's perception of loss, as well as interventions for coping with their own grief. So often in our society, those who are suffering after the loss have very little support. This program helps children by providing art therapy projects and by giving them the opportunity to talk about their feelings. Goals of Youth Art Bereavement Program: • Realize that there are many feelings associated with grieving and that it is acceptable to express them. • Feel comfortable in a safe environment where they can talk about their feelings. • Experience some of their memories in a positive way. • Create a positive self image. • Use various methods to help them cope when they are feeling down or confused. • Communicate their thoughts and feelings to the important people in their lives. • Recognize that living goes on despite the grief caused by death. Trained counselors conduct all sessions and the program is coordi- nated by Diane Gilbert, LCSW. To register or for more information, call: 908.788.6600. f o r G e t t h e C o l D w e a t h e r … t h i n k " s e n s a t i o n a l s u m m e r ! " You might not think that the dead of winter is a perfect time to find a summer camp for your child, but indeed it is! The NJ Camp Fairs will hold 7 camp fairs throughout New Jersey from January 10, January 31. Camp fairs will be held on Sunday, January 11 at The Grand Summit Hotel, Summit; Saturday, January 17 at Quaker Bridge Mall, Lawrenceville; Sunday, January 18 at the Bridgewa- ter Marriott in Bridgewater. Additional camp fairs will be held in Paramus, Woodbridge, Livingston and Eatontown. The fairs are from noon to 3 p.m. and admission is free! Parents will meet camp directors from local day camps and sleep away camps from around the country. There are numerous free giveaways and free snacks. Each family will receive a 50+ page program booklet with information about camps participating in any of the fairs. Free face painting will be offered by Bella Fac- cia. These fairs are fun and informative–we hope to see you there! For more information about the specific camps attending the fairs as well as directions to each fair, please log onto: www. njcampfairs.com. Email: sensationalsummers@gmail.com for any questions about our camp fairs. Check out our ad on the back cover of this Newsletter! s tat e o f n e w J e r s e y & h u n t e r D o n C h a m b e r P r e s e n t s P e C i a l r e C o G n i t i o n a wa r D t o r o r i P i P e l i n G o f t h e w o r k - f a m i l y C o n n e C t i o n The New Jersey State Senate and General Assembly, by Joint Leg- islative Resolution, recognized Rori Pipeling as Founder and Chief Executive Director of The Work-Family Connection. At the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce's Annual Business Awards Breakfast on Nov 6, 2014, the Legislature joined the Chamber to honor Rori Pipeling. The Resolu- tion states "The Work-Family Connection has flourished under the leadership of Rori Pipeling for twenty-five years, and she has earned a sterling reputation for integrity, vision and dedication… and has established a model to emulate and set a standard of excellence toward which others might strive." This Special Recognition award was presented to Rori as a symbol of her proven devotion to improving the effective- ness and quality of life of the residents of the Garden State. As a long-time resident of Hunterdon County, Rori's family represents four gen- erations living in the County. In her remarks, Rori greatly appreciated the award and recognized the Hunterdon County Chamber's consistent work in supporting local businesses. Visit us online at: www.theworkfamilyconnection.org, or contact Christa Claytorat: cclaytor@theworkfamilyconnection.org or by calling: 908.534.5935, ext. 20 for more information. "Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year." – Ralph Waldo Emerson

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