The Plain Press Community Board is a listing of a variety of free activities and resources for neighborhoods served by the Plain Press. Printing for it is sponsored by Organize! Ohio through donations from readers and supporters.

ARTS/THEATRE/FILM

FREE SCREENING OF THE AWARD WINNING DOCUMENTARY DOLORES: Thursday, May 3, at Lutheran Hospital Castele Auditorium. Reception at 5:30 p.m. along with brief discussion on Immigration. Movie to follow.

STATION HOPE, hosted by Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) is scheduled for Saturday, May 5, beginning at 6:30pm on the grounds of St. John’s Episcopal Church, 2600 Church Avenue. Station Hope is a jubilant community event inspired by the Underground Railroad and Cleveland’s social justice heritage, featuring over 250 individual artists and 50+ community and professional arts & culture organizations from across Northeast Ohio, creating diverse original works reflecting on and engaging with contemporary themes of social justice, equity, and a shared vision of hope. No tickets needed. The family-friendly event is FREE AND OPEN TO ALL.  For more information, visit http://www.cptonline.org/performances/seasons/2017-2018/station-hope-2018/

RACIAL EQUITY & INCLUSION FILM SERIES: The  Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975.Tuesday, May 8^that 6:30 p.m. at Capitol Theatre, 1390 W. 65^thStreet. Suggested donation $5.00. Food provided afterward for discussion in upstairs meeting room of XYZ Tavern (cash bar).

WALKABOUTTREMONT is held every second Friday from 6 to 10 pm.  For more information, visit walkabouttremont.com

78^THSTREET STUDIOS, 1300 W. 78^thStreet. Art Opening for over 50 studios and galleries every 3^rdFriday of every month, 5-9 p.m. 78streetstudios.com.

BENEFITS

OHIO BENEFITS:Need to apply, renew or report changes to your Medicaid. Call 1-844-640-OHIO (6446).

CUYAHOGA BENEFITS:To apply for childcare, food assistance, cash assistance, or Prevention, Retention, and Contingency Program (PRC) benefits call the Cuyahoga Benefits Application Hotline at 216-416-4440. You can also visit a Cuyahoga Job and Family Services Neighborhood Family Service Center: Old Brooklyn, 4261 Fulton Parkway, 635-2918; or Westshore , 9830 Lorain Avenue, 939-2523.

CITY OF CLEVELAND

CLEVELAND WATER OPEN HOUSE: Saturday, May 12, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., 1245 W. 45^thStreet. Celebrate Drinking Water Week at Garrett A. Morgan Water Treatment Plant: Water Treatment Plant tours; hands on exhibits, and family fun and activities and views from new scenic overlook.

FREE EMERGENCY ALERTS FOR YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD:Keep informed about emergency situations in your neighborhood with this GodeRED service. To sign up visit www.city.cleveland.oh.us.

VACANT LAND REUTILIZATION PROGRAM:vacant land is available through the Land Bank Program for side yard expansion or new construction. Applications sought that will contribute to the economic, social or environmental betterment of the city. Lots also can be leased or licensed for certain interim uses such as community/market gardens. Questions and information call the Land Bank Office at 664-4126.

COMMUNITY

OPEN STREETS CLEVELAND: May 6^th, 1-5 p.m. on Detroit Avenue from W. 25^thto W. 65^th. Come out and play, eat, walk and roll on a car free street. Event will have a 1 and 2 mile dash, interactive art demos, touch-a-truck demos, games and more. For more information visit openstreetscle.org.

MAY 8^THPRIMARY ELECTION:Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Bring Identification: a driver’s license or state identification, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and current address.

COMMUNITY CONVERSATON: AIR QUALITY:Thursday, May 10, 2:30-4 p.m., Lakeview Tower Community Room, 2700 Washington. Discussion of dust from Ontario Stone just North of Lakeview Terrace Estates. Piles of gravel and sand more than 2.5 stories high are supposed to be wet down and/or covered with tarps according to permits. Discussion of air quality due to blowing of sand and dirt with Councilman Kerry McCormack and the Department of Health Air Quality Division.

CLEVELAND COMMUNITY POLICE COMMISSIONwill meet on May 22 at 6 p.m. at Zone Recreation Center, 6301 Lorain Avenue. Empowered by the Settlement Agreement, the mission of the Cleveland Community Police Commission is to make recommendations on policies and practices related to community and problem-oriented policing, bias-free policing and police transparency.

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION AROUND EVICTION AND HOUSING INSECURITY:Thursday, May 24,6-8 p.m. at Cogswell Hall, 7200 Franklin Blvd. Will use Pultzer Prize winning book Evictedby Matthew Desmond to frame discussion. Copies of Evictedare available at Waltz Branch Library, 7010 Detroit Ave. Discussion will be facilitated by Amy Dawson, Manager of the Literature Department and Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library. Light meal will be provided for participants. RSVP with Ashley Wilson at Detroit Shoreway CDO at 961-4242 ext.243 or awilson@dscdo.org.

K“NO”W HUMAN TRAFFICKING COMMUNITY GATHERING:Human Tuesday, May 29, 6-8pm, Urban Community School (4909 Lorain Avenue) Human trafficking and street prostitution are prevalent on the near west side of Cleveland. The goal of this gathering is to engage, educate and empower residents to better understand what human trafficking is, and what it isn’t. Residents will be able to hear from survivors, local organizations and receive tools they can implement to help others in need. A short film will be shown by the Renee Jones Empowerment Center. After there will be a panel style dialogue. Resources will be available to those who wish to learn more or find ways they can get involved. Light refreshments provided. Questions? Contact Jeremy Taylor at (216) 961-4242 ext. 233 or jtaylor@dscdo.org

DSCDO NEIGHBORING FUNDprovides financial support to help forge meaningful neighbor-to-neighbor relationships across racial, educational and economic backgrounds in the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood. Examples of neighboring include potllucks, cornhole games and more. Contact Ashley Wilson at awilson@dscdo.orgor 216-961-4242×243 for information or to request an application.

FAMILIA has been established to engage, empower, and create a voice for the residents of the Clark-Fulton area to address issues such as safety, housing, education, civic rights and health issues for the wellbeing of families in the community. Meetings are held every 3^rdMonday of the month, from 6-7:30 pm, at Hispanic Alliance Inc, 3110 W. 25^thStreet (at Clark). For info, contact Sonia Monroy Matis , 216-661-4249 or smatis@hispanicallianceinc.org.

HANDS ACROSS CLE:The City of Cleveland Community Relations Board invites all Clevelanders to Hands Around Mall C, Resource Fair on Friday, June 15^thfrom Noon to 2 p.m. For more information call the Community Relations Board at 664-3290.

HANDS ACROSS CLE:The City of Cleveland Community Relations Board invites all Clevelanders to Hands Across the Lorain Carnegie Bridge Street Festival on Friday September 1^stfrom noon to 2 p.m. For more information call the Community Relations Board at 664-3290.

DONATIONS

DONATE YOUR UNWANTED, USABLE GOODS.Cuyahoga County businesses and residents can donate their unwanted items with the help of a useful book published by the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District called Pass It On: A Resource-Full Guide to Donating Usable Stuff.  It lists over 120 community service and nonprofit organizations that work on behalf of youth, seniors, the homeless and others in Cuyahoga County. Toys, art supplies, clothing, books, school supplies, office equipment, sporting goods, tools, furniture and more can be donated to the organizations listed in this guide.  Donating usable goods helps others and reduces waste.  Would-be donators of goods can search how to donate or recycle their items on the District’s “What Do I Do With?” database at www.CuyahogaRecycles.org. Additionally, a printable PDF is available at:  www.cuyahogarecycles.org/pass_it_on_book. People can also request copies of the soft-bound book by calling the Solid Waste District at 216.443.3749 or online at www.cuyahogarecycles.org/PublicationRequest.aspx.

EDUCATION

CHOICE MAGAZINE LISTENING: A free audio magazine for adults with impaired vision or other disability. Choice Magazine Listening records the best articles, stories and poems from over 100 of the finest magazines. Call toll free from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Eastern Time at 1-888-724-6423 or visit www.choicemagazinelistening.org.

EDUCATION, OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING, AND PERSONAL GOAL SETTING and a $10 per hour stipend are among the features offered to individuals age 18-24 eligible for the OhioGuidestone CCMEP TANF Cuyahoga program. To qualify you will need to meet requirements for eligibility to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Orientations are held weekly. To reserve a spot call 440-260-6817.

ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (ESOL) classes are offered by ASPIRE Greater Cleveland throughout the year at community centers and libraries. Adults who wish to attend the ESOL classes must complete an orientation session. Call 833-277-4732 or visit the website: inspiregreatercleveland.org for a complete list of orientation sessions.

FREE GED PREP: Eastman Branch Library, W. 116^thand Lorain Avenue, 2^ndFloor. Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays: 10: 15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.. Instructor: Alex. No appointment necessary.

FREE ADULT BASIC EDUCATION & GED CLASSES:One-to-one tutoring, learn at your own pace, friendly and relaxed place to learn. Seeds of Literacy located at 3104 Clark Ave, 3^rdFloor. Call 216-661-7950 or visit www.seedsofliteracy.org.

COLLEGE NOW’S FREE TEST PREP PROGRAM: IMPACT: an 8 week afterschool program that focuses on ACT and SAT preparation and college and career readiness. Offered 3 times a year at Espernza, 3104 W. 25^th.  All materials are provided and students receive free meals daily.  For more information call Program Coordinator Christiana Blakeslee at 635-0428 or email her at:CBlakeslee@collegenowgc.org.

FOOD PANTRY

LINCOLN WEST HIGH SCHOOL will have a food pantry on May 8^th and June 12^thfrom 3-5:30 p.m. Please bring your own bags.

ENVIRONMENT
RIVERSWEEP: Saturday, May 12, 9 a.m. – Noon. Volunteers needed for Canalway Partners cleanup. Bags and gloves provided. Free commemorative t-shirts available to the first 700 volunteers that sign up. Lunch provided at afterparty. For details call 216-520-1825 or visit: canalwaypartners.com.

SUMMER SPROUT COMMUNITY GARDEN PROGRAM: Enrolled gardens are eligible for soil testing (required), soil amendments, plants, seeds & technical assistance. Training is also offered to market gardeners. For additional information visit: http://tinyurl.com/kkokn9xor contact the City’s Summer Sprout coordinator at OSU Extension, 429-8200 ext. 246.

WEST SIDE CREATION CARE TEAM is an ecumenical grassroots organization promoting care for creation, including the climate crisis. WSCCT engages in public policy advocacy, with members writing letters to local newspapers, and directly to state and local lawmakers and executives on legislation related to sustainable, renewable energy alternatives and other issues that affect how we care for creation.  To receive notices of meetings, events, etc.,  or to schedule a presentation at your faith community, send an email to: westsidecreationcare@gmail.com.

HEALTH & SAFETY

FREE HEALTH CLINIC: Medworks Clinic at Neighborhood Family Practice, 3569 Ridge Road, Saturday, May 12, 8 a.m.- 1 p.m. Medical exams for men and women, women’s health exams, pap tests, dental screenings and extractions, bloodwork, PLUS fresh produce to take home. To make an appointment visit www.medworksusa.orgor call 216-201-9325. Walk-ins welcome. Get a free $10 Dave’s Card.

ARE YOU CONSIDERING QUITTING SMOKING IN 2018? Are you over 18 with a cell phone with online access? Join our new research study and get a text messing program for smokers ready to quit; free counseling on how to quit; free nicotine patches or gum; paid to complete surveys. Help us learn what works for our community. Call NOW to join Path2Quit: 216-754ICAN or 216-754-4226 Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

CUYAHOGA COUNTY PROJECT DAWN(Deaths Avoided with Nalozone) Program for individuals who use opiods and are at risk of death from opioid overdose and family and friends of thos who are at risk of death from opioid overdose. Learn how to recognize and overdose and how to administer naloxone to reverse and opioid overdose. Distribute nalozone to participants free of charge. Cleveland Department of Public Health Thomas McCafferty Health Center, 4242 Lorain Ave. Walk-in hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. and Thursdays Noon- 8p.m. For more information please call Project DAWN at 778-5677 or visit www.metrohealth.org/projectdawn.

FREE SMOKE ALARMS FOR YOUR HOMEare available through Operation Save-A-Life, a program of the American Red Cross and the Cleveland Fire Department, that provides free smoke alarms and batteries to Cleveland residents. Smoke alarms are installed by Cleveland firefighters at no cost to residents. Please note that application and installation process may take up to 90 days. Call the Operation Save-A-Life 24-hour hotline at 216-361-5535 to apply for free smoke alarms.

ARE YOU 15-45 YEARS OLD?University Hospitals is looking for volunteers age 15-45, with a parent with bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, or schizophrenia. Call Nicole at 216-286-6541 or email: mdp@UHhospitals. Participants will be compensated for their time, parking and other travel-related costs.

LEGAL ADVICE

FREE LEGAL ADVICE CLINIC: The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland offers free, first come, first served, legal advice event for low-income individuals. July 14 at Lorain Branch Library, 8216 Lorain Ave. Intake from 10 – 11 a.m. For more information call 687-1900.

ACLU SUMMER PROGRAM:Locked Out: Collateral Sanctions & Barriers to Re-Entry. Program on difficulty for individuals with criminal convictions in finding housing. May 22, 5:30 p.m., ACLU of Ohio, 4506 Chester Avenue. Free Parking. Light Refreshments. To RSVP visit www.ACLUOHIO.org/calendar, email: rsvp@acluohio.org, or call 216-472-2200.

PARENTING

METROHEALTH MOMS: Sign up for a chance to win a stylish diaper kit, free weekly emails, personalized to the growth and development of your baby. MetroHealth Moms guides you through your pregnancy. Each week learn something new about the growth of your baby. To sign up visit metrohealth.org/birthing and click on the MetroHealth Moms icon on the right-hand side.

MOMS FIRST:A helping hand for your pregnancy and your baby. Are you Pregnant? Do you live in the city of Cleveland? MomsFirst can help you learn how to reduce the stress that comes with being pregnant and parenting; connect to resources for housing, education and health care; understand how to keep your baby safe; find birth control options that work; set and achieve your goals fefore and after birth. Call 216-664-4194 to connect to a MomsFirst provider in your area. www.momsfirst.org.

 

BOOT CAMP FOR NEW DADS: A program for Dads only, taught by veteran dads. One day, three hour course in a relaxed comfortable setting. Learn the best way to hold, feed and cuddle your new baby. Learn to change diapers. Interact with real babies with the help of male instructors skilled in baby care. Offered three times per month at MetroHealth Main Campus 216-778-3381. Breakfast or lunch will be provided.

STEPS TO A HEALTHIER WEIGHT PROGRAM: designed for people with a BMI of 25 and above. FREE for Reproductive Health Clinic patients at McCafferty Health Center (Room 233). Free access to exercise facilities and childcare included. For more information call Kathleen, RN at 216-664-4269.

POLITICAL ACTION

NORTHERN OHIOANS FOR BUDGET LEGISLATION EQUALITY Ohio Medicaid Work Requirement Update: Currently the State of Ohio is working to submit Medicaid work requirements to the federal government. NOBLE is asking people to contact Governor Kasich and tell him to not submit the Medicaid work requirements to the federal government. Let Governor Kasich and the state legislature know you do not support work requirements for Medicaid. You can mail Governor Kasich a letter at: Governor John Kasich, Riffe Center, 30^thFloor, 77 South High Street, Columbus, OH 43215-6117 for call him at 664-466-3555.

SENIORS

SENIOR DAY: Thursday, May 24^th, Cleveland Public Hall, 500 Lakeside Ave. All seniors are invited to attend this free event: 10 a.m. information fair; 11 a.m. program; Noon – lunch; 12:30 p.m. entertainment. For more information call the City of Cleveland Department of Aging at 664-2833 or visit: www.cleveland-oh.gov/aging.

VOLUNTEERS

NORTHEAST OHIO COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS (NEOCH): works to organize and empower homeless and at risk men, women and children to break the cycle of poverty through public education, advocacy and the creation of nurturing environments. If you would like to find out more, or help, visit NEOCH at www.neoch.org.

YOUTH

LIT LEAGUE: Join the Summer Lit League and take an eight-week trip around the world. June 4- July 28, 2018. Registration opens May 1^st. Sign up at your local Cleveland Public Library Branch or register online at cpl.beanstack.org.

LIT LEAGUE SPECIAL EVENT:Books on the Edge Author Visit: Enjoy fun in the sun at Edgewater Beach and meet Tiffany D. Jackson ,world explorer and Young Adult author of Allegedlyand the newly-released Monday’s Not Coming. Monday, June 18, 6-8 p.m. at Edgewater Park Beach.

SUMMER LIT LEAGUE FINALE CELEBRATION: Saturday, August 4^th, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Complete Lit League and earn two free tickets to the Zoo and Rainforest for our Aug 4^thcelebration including the Cavs Scream Team, Z107.9, puppet shows, crafts, and the 12:30 p.m. drawing for Southwest Airlines gift cards (you must be present to win).

TEEN SUICIDE: LEARN THE WARNING SIGNS AND RISK FACTORSthat may contribute to youth suicide by using the free online staff development (in-service) training for teachers and others who work and interact with youth on suicide awareness and prevention. The online staff development trainings offered by The Jason Foundation introduce the scope and magnitude of the problem of youth suicide on both the national and state level. It discusses the educator’s relationship that allows them to recognize when the youth are struggling or changing and how to respond. For more information and a list of the warning signs and risk factors that can elevate the possibility of suicidal ideations visit The Jason Foundation at:  www.jasonfoundation.com.

CAMP FORBES 2018registration continues through May 31, but space is limited so youth are encouraged to sign up early to insure a spot.  A one-week (Monday thru Friday) session at the camp is free for City of Cleveland youth between the ages of 9-13. Registration can take place at any Cleveland Recreation Centers, or at www.Facebook.com/CityofClevelandRecreation. To register one needs the child’s birth certificate, immunization records, and a current utility bill (within the last 3 months). For further info, call Camp Forbes at 216-263-5325.