MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ – Today, Senator Kim spent time in Middlesex County, visiting Menlo Park, Edison, and New Brunswick to meet with some of New Jersey’s most vulnerable communities including seniors, Veterans, and people with disabilities and their caregivers. Senator Kim used the day to hear from Middlesex residents, business owners, and local leaders on how he can best support their needs at a federal level and used this trip to advance his caregiving mission to bring care to all.
“Being on the ground in Middlesex today gave me an opportunity to have face-to-face conversations to help me better fight for seniors, Veterans, and the disability community to get the care they need,” said Senator Kim. “It was exciting to see so many ready to join me in this fight to bring care to all, and I look forward to coming back to Middlesex to continue the work.”
Senator Kim started his morning by touring the Minnie B. Veal Community Center, a center in Edison that received $2.9 million dollars in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) this year after Senator Kim successfully secured the federal funding in coordination with Congressman Frank Pallone. Throughout the tour he learned more about their senior recreation programs, social services, and classes, and discussed ways this center will use the CDS funding to better the lives of Edison seniors.
Senator Kim then traveled to the Menlo Park Veterans Memorial Home, a dedicated nursing home for the Veteran community that provides 24/7 quality healthcare. Joined by New Jersey’s first Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs, Vincent Solomeno, Senator Kim toured the facility and spoke with residents.
“Every day, the team at the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park demonstrates an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional care to the Veterans, Veteran spouses, and Gold Star family members who call our facility home,” said Vincent Solomeno, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs. “Ours is a five-star facility, among the best in the state, and we are grateful to the frontline healthcare heroes, residents, and volunteers who make this such a special place.”
In the afternoon, Senator Kim spent time at the Abilities Expo at the New Jersey Convention & Expo Center to meet withpeople with disabilities, caregivers, and advocates from across the state. An annual event, Senator Kim also met with disability groups including the New Jersey Council on Development Disability, Disability Rights New Jersey, NJ Statewide Independent Living Council, and the New Jersey Institute for Disabilities.
“Abilities Expo is dedicated to advancing independence by connecting the disability community with leading-edge products, services and education. It’s a powerful platform for discovery, learning and access to solutions that improve quality of life,” said Katy Roberts, Managing Director of Abilities Expo.
To mark the start of Small Business Week, Senator Kim ended his day with a small business roundtable discussion in New Brunswick. Senator Kim heard about the impacts and specific challenges minority small business owners have faced during President Trump’s second term, including how Trump’s tariff policy has impacted their ability to source products, keep competitive pricing, and hire staff.
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