History of the Z.P.A.

United Poles in America marks a chapter in the history of American Polonia in which the Z.P.A. created the basis for the organizational community.  On the 1st of March, 1952 the organization was officially registered by the New Jersey State Department in Trenton.  The creation of the organization was dictated by the poles spiritual need to unite and continue to maintain national traditions, polish culture and education.  One of the main goals of the organization was to define the future identity.  The wave of immigrants coming from Germany, grouped in the Polish Youth Association, together with the former soldiers association from England took upon themselves an incredibly inspiring goal.

These two significant at the time polish groups played an important role in lives of the Poles.  They organized meetings, parties and traditional commemorative events.  They were united under the common goal: the concern for the social, educational and political matters of the Polish community, but lacked an official purpose.  One of the more significant members and initiators of those meetings was Hieronim Wyszynski who deeply believed in the need for the organization.  He became one of the founders of the United Poles in America and its first president.  Summing up the history of the foundation of organization, next to Hieronim Wyszynski, there were many others whose names are worth mentioning: Tadeusz Radlinski, Felix Bruks, Stanislaw Krysiak, Kazimierz Szafranski, Danuta Wyszynska, Zdzislaw Lenty, Frank Jess, Mieczyslaw Kijowski, Zenon Kowalski, James Breef, Wladyslaw Sosulski, Maria Koprowicz, Stanislaw Wielowski, Zbigniew Zelazowski, and John Klajn.  They were the leaders of the organization who carried on the weight for the community with determination and ensured the continued and consistent existence of the organization.

In 1965, the United Poles in America Enterprises Inc. was founded.  The organization needed the quarters.  The building that was bought, was renovated, reconstructed and adapted to the needs of the organization.  Next to the pub and many other rooms, there is a Crystal Ballroom which is the business card of the enterprise.  The same year, the Z.P.A. also founded the United Poles Federal Credit Union.  Currently, two branches exist, one in Perth Amboy and one in Linden.  The members can benefit from its financial resources and money management.  Z.P.A. develops in many different directions, taking upon itself various initiatives, such as the elections of “The Man of the Year” or ”The Mother of the Year,” showing popular Polish Movies, supporting a folk dance group for children, scouts and soccer group.  One of the most important ones is the scholarship fund.

The concept of the Polish Language Supplementary School is the largest achievement of the organization.  Over the years, from a small, occupying one room group of students the school transformed into a dynamic and prestigious education establishment.  Promoting of the Polish education and culture are important factors in preserving the national identity outside of Poland.  The school instills and fosters ideals and traditions, brings in your new members to the organization who can carry on the work of the prior generations.

 

Z.P.A. membership application (PDF)