April 2020 Community Board

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

ARTS

VIRTUAL PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT HONORING OHIO’S WOMEN VETERANS, I Am Not Invisible: Visit OhioVets.gov to read the stories behind their journeys during and after military service.

BENEFITS

HOW TO APPLY FOR PUBLIC BENEFITS:  Visit www.benefits.ohio.gov to apply for food, medical, cash, and childcare assistance. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week.  Or call the Eligibility Contact Center at 1-844-640-OHIO (6446) for real-time eligibility and case changes for food, cash and medical assistance. Available Monday – Friday 8:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.

MEDICAID: Medicaid patients can use telehealth services even for first time visits. REDETERMINATIONS ARE SUSPENDED FOR 180 DAYS. Medicaid Benefits will not be lost if the renewal process is not able to be completed.

SNAP AND OHIO WORKS FIRST: REDETERMINATIONS ARE SUSPENDED FOR SIX MONTHS. Meaning if benefits were supposed to expire in March they now expire in September, April they now expire in October, and for May they will expire in November. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: 216-987-7000 OR  VISIT THE COUNTY WEBSITE AT:  cjfs.cuyahogacounty.us/

INTERVIEW ABOUT YOUR BENEFITS: Northern Ohioans for Budget Legislation Equality wants to hear about your experiences applying for or renewing your benefits like food stamps or Medicaid. To get information to improve the system, they are doing short interviews with people on benefits. If you can do a brief interview, contact Jacie at jacie@organizeohio.org or call (216) 651-2606.

BUSINESS & LABOR

CUYAHOGA COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER offers technical assistance and information about financial resources for struggling small businesses. Call 216-452-9741, Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. -5 p.m. Assistance in applying for Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans and other available financial assistance; consulting, help navigating unemployment insurance benefit applications, strategies for retaining and retraining employees. You can also access the resources online at www.cuyahogacounty.us.

OHIO UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS: Visit unemployment.ohio.gov.

THE CUYAHOGA COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH CALL CENTER is available for residents to report concerns regarding non-essential businesses and for essential businesses to inquire about maintaining social distancing practices. If you feel that your place of business is improperly remaining open, or if you wish to file a complaint about what you think are unsafe practices at a place of business please contact the CCBH by phone at 216-201-2000 between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION continues to enforce the nations’ employment non-discrimination laws. To begin the process of filing a charge of discrimination, employees and applicants are encouraged to visit the EEOC Public Portal at publicportal.eeoc.gov to schedule an intake appointment by telephone. The system can also be accessed by going directly to our website at www.eeoc.gov.  Anyone who cannot use the portal can call the EEOC at 1-800-669-4000 to begin the process of filing a charge.

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION programs for the coronavirus, visit www.sba.gov/coronavirus and for information on all federal programs, visit www.usa.gov/coronavirus.

CHURCHES

THE SHROUD OF TURIN   A GALLERY OF IMAGES and other artifacts in the Passion of the Lord Jesus Christ.  It will be held in the Community Center of Trinity Lutheran Church, W. 30^th& Lorain, on April 3rd and 4th.  Times for viewing will be from 10am to 4pm on both days.  Admission is free.  The Community Center is located at the end of the cul-de-sac on West 30th St (behind Wendy’s).  Free will donations accepted.  For more information call 216-688-0040.

CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND: offers daily mass livestreamed at 9:30 a.m. or on demand at other times at dioceseofcleveland.org

CITY SERVICES

ONLINE POLICE REPORT FILING: In an effort to keep officers safe and minimize exposure to the public, the Cleveland Division of Police has taken measures to ensure that members of the public can file police reports remotely for minor offenses. Minor offenses include property damage, petty theft, lost property, theft from vehicle, theft of credit card, stolen vehicle (when suspect is not on scene and no one was injured or threatened), telephone harassment. In any cases where a crime of violence was committed or there is a current threat, please call 9-1-1. File online: https://secure.coplogic.com/dors/startreport/176231500. Report via phone daily from 7:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. 216-621-1234 Members of the public are remined to adhere to CDC guidelines on social distancing if they choose to visit a police district building in person.

BULK PICKUP: City of Cleveland has cancelled all bulk garbage pick-up for the month of April.

COMMUNITY

CLEVELAND PANDEMIC RESPONSE – COVID19 COMMUNITY HUB, at Cleveland.recovers.org, offers assistance to individuals and families with a need by linking you to goods and services that you need. The site also connects those who want to donate supplies to those that need them. Volunteers can also use the site to connect with organizations that need them.

CONNECTED IN CLE: offers a comprehensive list of local resources and help for COVID-19, link via freshwatercleveland.com

CUDELL IMPROVEMENT, which serves the Cudell and Edgewater neighborhoods, plans to update a list of resources that includes food, financial assistance and education for children at cudell.com/coronavirus. The resource list is printable, so it can be printed out and shared with neighbors that do not have digital access. Cudell Improvement is also updating a list of Cudell and Edgewater restaurants still open for delivery and take-out at cudell.com/food.

SOCIAL MEDIA SITES FOR OHIO CITY NEIGHBORHOOD: #OHCNeighborGames2019; #OHCCommunityConversation2019; Facebook: Ohio City incorporated; Twitter:@OhioCityTweets; and Instagram: @OhioCityInc.

PLAIN PRESS COMMUNITY BOARD: To list free events and services in the Plain Press Community Board – send information you would like printed to: plainpress@gmail.com.

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCES

CUYAHOGA COUNTY DATA: Cuyahoga County Epi-curve data and the number of lab-confirmed cases of Coronavirus COVID-19 in each Cuyahoga County zip code will be presented each Friday by the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.  Presenting epi-curve and confirmed cases by zip code each Friday will allow the Board of Health to demonstrate the evolution of case counts over time. The daily case overview for Cuyahoga County is available at ccbh.net/coronavirus. As of Friday March 27 the number of lab confirmed cases living in each of zip codes 44102 and 44113 were in the range of 2 to 3 cases; the number of lab confirmed cases in each of the zip codes 44019 and 44111 were between 4 and 5 cases. Zip Code 44144 had between 0 and 1 cases. Lakewood, zip code 44107 was listed as having between 6 and 9 lab tested cases. The zip codes in Cuyahoga County with the highest registered number of cases (ranging from 10-16 cases per zip code) were zip codes 44118, 44121, 44124, 44022 and 44133. Since testing has been limited, the data is incomplete. Currently testing is prioritized for those who are hospitalized, individuals in communal living facilities, such as long-term care and nursing facilities, health care workers, and first responders.

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html. offers information on the coronavirus (COVID-19): how to protect yourself, what to do if you think you are sick, resources for the community, information on the incidence of infections throughout the United States and information for healthcare professionals.

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH updates its website regularly with helpful information and regular updates on COVID-19 in Ohio visit:  https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/ . If the web doesn’t work for you, the State has a call center to answer all of your COVID-19 questions. Call1-833-4-ASKODH,  or 1-833-427-5634 any day of the week between the hours of 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

CUYAHOGA COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH’S website, https://www.ccbh.net/., offers regular updates on COVID-19 and other useful information. To call the Cuyahoga County Board of Health please use the general number 216-201-2000.

CUYAHOGA COUNTY CORONAVIRUS HELP LINE: 440-59-COVID (440-592-6843).

CUYAHOGA COUNTY has launched a new multilingual website in partnership with Global Cleveland and MetroHealth centered around enhancing accessibility to information and resources related to the coronavirus pandemic in both Cuyahoga County and the U.S. The site provides resources in five languages: Arabic, Chinese, Nepali, Russian and Spanish. These languages were selected based on the diverse populations in Cuyahoga County. Various resources are available to residents whose first language is not English. Each language has a MetroHealth hotline for residents to speak with a representative in their primary language. The site also contains a variety of fact sheets in Arabic, Chinese and Spanish centered around facts about COVID-19, what to do if you’re sick, how to help stop the spread of germs, and symptoms of coronavirus. Video resources on the site include how to enable subtitles on YouTube videos, footage from the thrice-weekly Cuyahoga County Board of Health Media Briefings and Governor DeWine’s daily press conferences.  The multilingual site can be found on the Cuyahoga County website at cuyahogacounty.us. It will be updated with new resources as they become available.

CONSUMER

PARATRANSIT SURVEY: Northern Ohioans for Budget Legislation Equality (NOBLE) is conducting a survey regarding Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) paratransit rider experiences in an effort to improve paratransit services.  If you or someone that you know utilizes paratransit and would be open to hearing more about and or taking the survey please contact our organizer, Brittney Madison at BMadison@organizeohio.org or 330-571-3333.

REPORT SCAMS: Call the Cuyahoga County Scam Squad at 216-443-SCAM (7226). Hang up if a caller threatens you with arrest or property seizure, claims to be a grandchild or loved one in trouble with the law; asks you to wire money, mail cash or pay with gift cards; if a repair person calls out of the blue and wants to “fix” your computer.

DOES YOUR HOME HAVE A SMOKE ALARM? If not, call the operation Save-A-Life 24-hour hotline at 216-361-5535 to apply for FREE smoke alarms.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER 24 Hour Helpline: 216-391-HELP (4357).

DONATIONS

CUYAHOGA COUNTY is encouraging medical practices such as veterinary clinics, dentists, elective surgery centers, and other non-essential medical providers to donate surplus Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to support first responders and critical operations occurring in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. A collection point has been established at the Cuyahoga County Public Works Garage located at 2501 Harvard Ave. Newburgh Heights, OH 44105. The hours of operation for the collection point will be Monday-Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Unopened boxes of the following items will be accepted: N95 masks, Surgical masks, Gowns, Eye protection, Face shields, Nitrile gloves, Disinfecting wipes, and Hand sanitizer.  For additional information or questions, please email: resl@cuyahogacounty.us.

ALUMINUM CANS FOR BURNED CHILDREN (ACBC): Instead of throwing aluminum cans out or placing them on your curb, collect them and take them to your local fire station. This will help benefit a pediatric burn survivor or prevent a child from a burn injury. For more information about ACBC call 216-883-6633 or visit www.acbcohio.org.

EDUCATION

SCHOOL CLOSURES EXTENDED UNTIL MAY 1^ST: Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Action announced on Monday March 30^th that school closures have been extended until May 1^st because of continued concerns about the spread of the coronavirus.

CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT: Visit the website for educational resources and updates at https://www.clevelandmetroschools.org/Coronavirus

CHARTER OFFERS FREE SPECTRUM INTERNET ASSIST AND SPECTRUM BROADBAND including in-home Wi-Fi to new subscriber households with K-12 and or college students as well as teachers for 60 days. Free self-installation kits will be offered to new subscriber households. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395.

CHARTER has opened WiFi hotspots across their footprint for public use. A map of the Charter hotspots is available at: http://www.spectrum.com/wifi-hotspots.

CLEVELAND METROPARKS OFFERS FREE VIRTUAL CLASSROOM ON FACEBOOK LIVE: Mondays through Fridays at 11 a.m. visit Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Facebook Page to join our biologists who are working to secure a future for wildlife at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Check-in with your favorite Zoo animals and learn about what it takes to care for some of the most endangered species in the world. Then, at 1 p.m., visit Cleveland Metroparks Facebook Page to join our park naturalists as we explore the Emerald Necklace and look for early signs of spring, learn about the forest floor, birds and more.

OHIO PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS are now offering Pre-K to 12 education programing on TV or online at pbslearningmedia.com. For more information visit coronavirus.ohio.gov/learnathome.

CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY offers programming and educational materials in its new digital series “CMNH@HOME”. The programs are available at cmnh.org or facebook.com/goCMNH/ New episodes will be available on Mondays (Museum Mondays), Wednesdays (Wildlife Wednesdays) and Saturdays (Scientist Saturdays) at noon.

ELECTION

VOTE BY MAIL EXTENDED UNTIL APRIL 28^TH: The Ohio Legislature passed a bill extending voting by mail for the March 17^th Primary Election until April 28^th.  Voters can request vote-by-mail ballots until 4/25 Absentee ballots must be postmarked no later than 4/27, or they can be dropped off at vote centers by 4/28. The Secretary of State’s office will mail voters a postcard with information about how to request a vote-by-mail application. However, they will not be mailing out postage-paid vote-by-mail applications. There will be limited in-person voting, but only for those with disabilities and for some without access to the postal service like the homeless. Voters can obtain vote-by-mail applications by calling the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections at 216-443-8683 or by printing out an application their website at: boe.cuyahogacounty.us.

VOTING FOR DISABLED AND HOMELESS:  if you are a registered voter and have a disability or are homeless, you may vote in-person on April 28, 2020 at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, 2925 Euclid Avenue, between 6:30am-7:30pm.

EMPLOYMENT

WEST SIDE CATHOLIC CENTER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT JOBS PROGRAM: The program runs from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, Monday thru Friday for a period of eight weeks. All jobseekers are guaranteed job offers in the area of their interest and may exit the program prior to the eight weeks upon accepting an employment opportunity. We assist with obtaining childcare vouchers and provide childcare in the interim. We assist with bus tickets for all SNAP eligible individuals. Work clothes, interview clothes and all supplies needed for class are provided for free. A free lunch is provided after class. Those individuals who are interested or need additional hours for SNAP will have a choice of two exploratory introductions to either FOOD SERVICE or MANUFACTURING. Question or registration, call Frank Johanek   216-631-4741 ext. 167

FOOD

MAY DUGAN CENTER, 4100 Bridge Ave., Cleveland, provides free meals every fourth Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon.

GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK: Call 216-738-7239, or visit GreaterClevelandFoodBank.org for food assistance. Apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) if you are under sixty (limits are higher for persons age 60 or older or persons receiving disability assistance) and your monthly family income is $1,316 or less for a one-person household; $1,784 or less for a two person household; $2,252 or less for a three person household; $2,720 or less for a four person household. Add $453 for each additional household member.   For information about Food Stamps (SNAP) applications, food pantries, free produce, and hot meals text FOOD to 63566.

HEALTH

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AND HOTLINES: The Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County mental health resources and hotlines: To reach Cuyahoga County’s 24-Hour Warmline, call 440-886-5950 to talk with a peer, or text “4hope” to 741741.  To reach the 24-hour Suicide Prevention, Mental Health/Addiction Crisis, Information and Referral Hotline, call: 216-623-6888.

WANT TO STOP SMOKING: Information on how to stop and where to get help can be found at: www.healthycle.org/ditchtobacco.

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE: Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org. The Lifeline is FREE, confidential and always available.

IMMIGRATION

IMMIGRATION DETAINEES IN NORTHEAST OHIO: If you need legal assistance with an immigration matter and cannot afford an attorney, Legal Aid may be able to help. Call the Legal Aid’s Detention Project at 888-817-3777.

RECREATION

YMCA OFFERS FREE VIRTUAL VIDEO WORKOUTS: On-demand videos are now available on their website at www.clevelandymca.org. The videos are for people of all ages and can be accessed at no charge and can be done in the home with no special equipment.

BASEBALL HERITAGE MUSEUM @baseballheritagemuseumcleve is using Facebook and Instagram to post homeschooling help, baseball instruction tips, fun activities and links to other resources that will help keep you connected to the museum, baseball and each other.

REUNION

THE 1960 CLASS OF SAINT STANISLAUS HIGH SCHOOL will hold a reunion at the end of July 2020. For more information contact Reie Dix of the Alumni Committee at 216-357-2674.

SERVICES

RENEE JONES EMPOWERMENT CENTER, 3764 W. 25^th Street, Suite 200.: Restoring the lives of Human Trafficking Victims through holistic services and advocacy. Services include therapy, case management, life skills, employment assistance, weekly support groups and more. Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 12:30-8:30 p.m.; Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. To make an appointment call 216- 417-0823. For more information visit: www.rjecempower.org or email: rjones@rjecempower.org.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER’S LATINA PROJECT offers culturally sensitive services that take into consideration the realities of the Latino life. Services provided in Spanish and free of charge include information about legal rights &Justice System Advocacy, personal assistance & escort, counseling services, weekly Spanish-speaking Support Group/childcare and more. For more information call 216-229-2420 or visit www.dvcac.org.

SUPPORT GROUPS

NATIONAL ALIANCE FOR THE MENTALLY ILL (NAMI) GREATER CLEVELAND VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUPS: Please call the support group numbers below 5 or 10 minutes beforehand in case you run into any difficulty.

NAMI FAMILY GROUP (for family member, friend or caregiver of an adulty with mental illness) Tuesdays from 7-8:30 p.m. Join by calling 216-452-6841. You will be prompted to enter the following code: 391 639 233, then push pound (#) to continue.

NAMI FAMILY GROUP- DUAL DIAGNOSIS (for family member, friend or caregiver of persons with mental illness and substance use disorder). Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m. Join by calling 216-452-6841. You will be prompted to enter the following code: 391 639 233, then push pound (#) to continue.

NAMI PEER GROUP (for adults 18 & older living with mental illness). Thursdays from 3-4:30 p.m. Join by calling 216-307-8224. You will be prompted to enter the following code: 829 554 282, then push pound (#) to continue.

NAMI PEER GROUP (for adults 18 & older living with mental illness). Mondays from 6:30 – 8 p.m. Join by calling 216-352-6137. You will be prompted to enter the following code: 504 127 492, then push pound (#) to continue.

TAXES

INCOME TAX FILING DATES have been extended for both Federal and State income tax filings until July 15^th. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) tax prep at the Gordon Square Arcade has been temporarily suspended. As an immediate alternate, you may file your taxes for free at myfreetaxes.com. Updates on in-person tax prep will be at refundohio.org.

TRANSPORTATION
OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SEEKS FEEDBACK ON STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PORGRAM: The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is now accepting public comments on the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for 2021 to 2024. The program identifies the multi-modal transportation improvement projects that are scheduled for some phase of implementation throughout the state over the next four years. The draft documents will be available for public review and comment online at transportation.ohio.gov during the review period of March 30, 2020, through April 10, 2020. Written comments must be received by the close of business on April 17, 2020. Any comments concerning the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program may be submitted online at transportation.ohio.gov, by email to Natasha Turner at Natasha.Turner@dot.ohio.gov, or postal mail to: Mrs. Jennifer Townley, Deputy Director Division of Planning, Ohio Department of Transportation, Mail Stop # 3260, 1980 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43223.

VOLUNTEERS

CASA of Cuyahoga County, a program of Child and Family Advocates of Cuyahoga County, needs volunteers to advocate for children who have been neglected and abused. CASAs are everyday citizens who are appointed by the Court to advocate for the safety and well-being of children and represent the children’s best interests. CASAs are trained to investigate, facilitate, advocate, and monitor one or two cases at a time to help the Court make the best decision for a safe, caring, and permanent home for children involved in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. Those interested in becoming a CASA, please visit cfadvocates.org or call 216.443.3377 for more information.

GIRLTREK: a public health movement for Black women and girls, is training 3000 neighborhood captains to hold 1,000 walks in neighborhoods around the country in 2019. To sign up to participate email lead@girltrek.org.