Standing: Alberty Ferreras (student intern), Commissioners Marielka Diaz of West New York , Mayor Richard Turner, Commissioner Maryury Martinetti of Union City,County Commissioner Caridad Rodriguez, Mayor Albio Sires of West New York, County Executive Craig Guy, Vice President Dr.Yeurys Pujols, Congressman Rob Menendez, Jr., NH Campus Director Joseph Caniglia, Nelvi Nuñez (student),  Seated (L→R): Maria Torres (student intern), Lucia Escobar (intern alumni/RU student), HCCC President Chris Reber, Executive Director Henry Acosta, Chairman and Founder of Save Latin America Antonio Ibarria and Sara Benitez (student intern).

Union City, N.J. — Sept. 24, 2025 — County and municipal partners — together with Congressman Menendez’s office — have pledged active collaboration on outreach, referrals, promotion and logistical support. Crucially, the partnership is designed to bridge the linguistic divide through Spanish-language outreach, bilingual intake and direct referral pathways into HCCC programs, reducing barriers and creating tangible career and economic opportunities for residents.

Congressman Rob Menendez Jr., County Executive Craig Guy, Mayor Albio Sires of West New York, Mayor Richard Turner or Weehawken, County Commissioner Caridad Rodriguez,  Commissioner Maryury Martinetti of Union City and Commissioner Marielka Diaz of West New York  joined Hudson County Community College and Save Latin America as the two organizations signed a memorandum of understanding to establish coordinated services and referral pathways for health, housing, financial literacy and workforce development across North Hudson.

Hudson County Community College President Dr. Chris Reber, Save Latin America Chair and Founder Antonia Ibarria, and Executive Director Henry Acosta led the signing ceremony. Elected officials and organizational leaders emphasized the federal-to-local coordination required to move swiftly from agreement to implementation, while student testimonials illustrated the immediate, real-world impact of clearer pathways into education and employment.

The MOU will be followed immediately by pilot programs and formalized referral workflows between HCCC and Save Latin America to operationalize Spanish-language outreach, bilingual intake and direct transitions into academic and workforce training.

Hudson County Community College is a public institution serving Hudson County with degree and workforce programs that connect students to careers and community services. Save Latin America is a Union City–based nonprofit providing culturally responsive services and advocacy for Latinx residents, including health, housing and workforce support.