September 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.
ADVOCACY
KEEP COVID-19 OUT OF OHIO JAILS, PRISONS AND COURTS: Visit the Ohio Immigrant Alliance website at www.ohioimmigrant.org for a link to a petition.
POOR PEOPLE’S MORAL JUSTICE JUBILEE POLICY PLATFORM: The legislative and Policy Priorities of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival: download a copy of the platform at: www.poorpeoplescampaign.org.
ARTS
CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART has reopened. While the museum is free, there will be timed admission tickets. Reserve free tickets online at: https://www.clevelandart.org/visit-plan#tickets. Or call the ticket center at 216-421-7350 M-F, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
BENEFITS
STIMULUS CHECKS: If you have no income or your income is less than $12,200 and you did not file a tax return, you may be missing out on claiming your stimulus check! Cuyahoga County which is one of the poorest and most populous counties, has tens of thousands of residents who are eligible for the $1,200 stimulus checks and have not yet received them. Here are tools that can be used to ensure that those who are “non-filers” and eligible to receive the stimulus payments get them: For those with internet access you can apply today using the “nonfilers: enter payment info here” tool at freefilefillableforms.com. For those who do not have easy access to the internet, or if more information and assistance is needed, dial 211 for assistance. The deadline to apply is October 15th.
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.
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/
BUSINESS & LABOR
LEGAL AID WORKER INFORMATION LINE: Call 216-861-5899 to get answers to your employment questions.
OHIO UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS: Visit unemployment.ohio.gov (available 24 hours a day) or try calling 877-644-6562 or TTY -614-387-8408 – Monday thru Friday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. or Saturdays 9 a.m. -5 p.m. or Sundays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
EMPLOYEES ONLY: offers assistance to laid off restaurant employees. To ask for assistance send an email to Mark Bailey at mark@employeesonlyneo.org or visit Employees Only on Instagram.
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.
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 visit www.sba.gov to apply for disaster assistance or other coronavirus relief porgrams and for information on all federal programs, visit www.usa.gov/coronavirus.
CENSUS
NORTHERN OHIOANS FOR BUDGET LEGISLATION EQUALITY (NOBLE), urges you to take the Census right now! The Federal Government sends Ohio $2,880 per person to support health, human services, and education programs. The State stands to lose this amount for each person not counted! PLEASE TAKE THE CENSUS RIGHT NOW AND PASS THIS INFORMATION ALONG! CALL: 1-844-330-2020 or VISIT: www.my2020census.gov to complete the Census today!
CHILD ABUSE REPORTING
CUYAHOGA COUNTY DIVISION OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES’ CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE: 216-696-KIDS (5437). The Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services can also accept child abuse reports 24/7 through email at protecting-cuyahoga-kids@jfs.ohio.gov; via its website at http://cfs.cuyahogacounty.us/en-us/Report-Child-Aubse-Neglect.aspx. Click on “Contact Us” to file a report through the County’s website.
CITY SERVICES
FREE EVICTION HELP: The Right to Counsel – Cleveland Program (RTC-C) gives Clevelanders facing eviction living at or below the federal poverty line with at least one child the right to free legal help in Housing Court. If you are facing eviction, have a child, and are living at/below the federal poverty contact Legal Aid online at FreeEvictionHelp.org or call 216.687.1900.
RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: If you are having trouble paying your rent because of Covid-19, you may be eligible for Rental Assistance from the City of Cleveland or Cuyahoga County. Visit neorenthelp.org now to apply and submit all required documents, or call the hotline, 833.377.RENT (7368).
CLEVELAND WATER DEPARTMENT: In March, Mayor Frank Jackson announced Cleveland Water will suspend disconnections until further notice. Cleveland Water customers who have recently experienced disconnection should contact Cleveland Water at 216-664-3130 to discuss options for the restoration of service. According to the City of Cleveland’s website : a date when the moratorium will be lifted and any corresponding changes will be communicated to customers via multiple methods, including brochures included with bills and City and department websites and social media.
CLEVELAND PUBLIC POWER (CPP): In March, Mayor Frank Jackson announced Cleveland Public Power will suspend disconnections until further notice. CPP customers who have recently experienced disconnection should call 216-664-4600 to discuss options for the restoration of service. According to the City of Cleveland’s website : a date when the moratorium will be lifted and any corresponding changes will be communicated to customers via multiple methods, including brochures included with bills and City and department websites and social media.
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.
COMMUNITY
NEIGHBOR UP COVID 19 RAPID RESPONSE GRANTS are available to grassroots neighborhood groups, small nonprofits and faith-based groups. Grants cover a 12-week period and will be from $500 to $5,000. For more information contact Monique Williams Kelly, mwilliams@neighborhoodgrants.org.
CLEVELAND POLICE FOUNDATION offers programs designed to build bridges between the Cleveland Division of Police and members of the community. For more information about the Cleveland Police Foundation and its programs visit: www.clevelandpolicefoundation.org.
CUDELL IMPROVEMENT AND DETROIT SHOREWAY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION offer a list of resources at cudell.com/coronavirus or www.dscdo.org. The list includes free meals and free food banks and distributions in the Detroit Shoreway, Cudell and Edgewater neighborhoods. The organizations have also created a list of businesses selling take-out food. The list is available at www.dscdo.org/food.
METROWEST offers a list of resources for residents of the Brooklyn Centre, Clark Fulton and Stockyard neighborhoods on its website at www.metrowestcle.org.
OHIO CITY INCORPORATED lists local resources, information and delivery food options in the Ohio City neighborhood at www.ohiocity.org/covid19.
WESTOWN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (CDC) offers a list of resources for the Westown neighborhood on its website at: www.westowncdc.org. Westown CDC released a Racial Equity Economic Development Statement and challenges other community development organizations to do the same.
OHIO CITY INCORPORATED (OCI) Do you have an idea that can promote racial equity or support COVID-19 needs while building community and creating positive interactions in Ohio City? Ohio City has modified our small grants program to better support Ohio City residents who want to address what is happening in our world. Apply for the OHC Rapid Response Small Grant and potentially receive up to $250 to implement your project. Applications are being accepted on a weekly basis every Friday. The next application deadline is July 24 at 11:59pm. For more information and to apply online visit www.ohiocity.org/grants. Have questions or prefer a paper copy? Contact Whitney at wlongjones@ohiocity.org or 216-250-1919.
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.
CONSENT DECREE
CLEVELAND COMMUNITY POLICE COMMISSION has two working groups the Accountability Work Group and the Interactions with Youth Work Group. For more information about joining a work group send an email to info@clecpc.org or call 216-505-5920.
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCES
MASK COMPLIANCE: Cuyahoga County has an interactive map on its website at www.cuyahogacounty.us/maskcompliance . You can enter the address of a business and check for their mask compliance record and for any violations. You can add reviews of businesses with favorable or unfavorable reports of conduct of staff or customers. Complaints can also be submitted by phone at: 216-698-5050.
CLEVELAND PANDEMIC RESPONSE – COVID19 COMMUNITY HUB, at Cleveland.recovers.org, offers assistance to individuals and families with a need by linking them to goods and services that they 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
CLEVELAND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH has a new online dashboard for tracking coronavirus cases in the City of Cleveland. Visit clevelandhealth.org to check it out.
CUYAHOGA COUNTY DATA: Cuyahoga County’s Epidemic Bell 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 the epidemic bell 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.
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION website at www.cdc.gov 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: www.coronavirus.ohio.gov. 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: 855-711-3035.
CUYAHOGA COUNTY has launched a 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.
METROHEALTH 24/7 COVID-19 HOTLINE: 440-59-COVID or 440-592-6843
CONSUMER
FORM A SOLAR COOP TO GO SOLAR TOGETHER: Co-op participants will select a single company to complete the installations. They will then have the option to purchase panels individually based on the installer’s group rate. By going solar as a group and choosing a single installer, participants can save on the cost of going solar and have the support of fellow group participants and solar experts at Solar United Neighbors. Residents interested in joining the co-op can sign up at www.solarunitedneighbors.org/cuyahoga. The solar co-op is free to join and joining is not a commitment to purchase panels. Residents from any community can attend an online session that works best for them. Once the group is large enough, Solar United Neighbors will help the co-op solicit competitive bids from area solar installers.
PARATRANSIT SURVEY: Northern Ohioans for Budget Legislation Equality (NOBLE) in partnership with Linking Employment, Abilities and Potential (LEAP) is conducting a survey regarding Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) paratransit rider experiences until September 1, 2020 in an effort to improve paratransit services in entirety. If you, or someone that you know, utilizes paratransit and would be open to hearing more about the survey or would be willing to take 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: call or text 216-391-HELP (4357) or live chat online at DVCAC.org/get-help.
DONATIONS
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
CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT: Visit the website for educational resources and updates at https://www.clevelandmetroschools.org
EDUCATION BLOGS: Former Plain Dealer Education Reporter Patrick O’Donnell is now writing for the 74million.org an education blog. Former United Church of Christ Minister for Public Education and Witness Ministries Jan Resseger blogs at janresseger.wordpress.com
LITERARY CLEVELAND: Free Cleveland Inkubator Online Writing Conference through the end of July. Visit litcleveland.org for schedule and to register for one of the events.
COMPUTER BASICS: Join Detroit Shoreway’s judgement-free computer lessons with Alicia, Digital Literacy Coordinator, each Monday at 9am on Facebook Live. Please help a loved one who is interested in computer basics to join us! Watch the live lessons on Monday mornings at facebook.com/detroitshorewayor search “Detroit Shoreway Community Development Oganization” in your Facebook app. For questions, call Alicia at 216.961.9073 ext. 235. You can replay the previous lessons: “Introduction to Computers” and “The Internet”.
JAMES A. GARFIELD NATIONAL HISTORICAL SITE: offers virtual tours all of the time. To check them out visit: https://www.nps.gov/jaga/virtual-garfield-home-tours.htm.
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS (AFT) and the AFL-CIO are offering free helpful lessons and tools for kids in pre-K through 12th grade who are now learning at home and coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. (these resources are intended to supplement what your child’s teacher or school has already provided.) You can go to sharemylesson.com/coronavirus/parents to access lessons, online tools, resources and more.
INTERNET HOTSPOTS: Cleveland Public Libraries are all internet hotspots. To access go to their parking lot or sit just outside the building.
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 2020
REGISTER TO VOTE or update your registration at VoteOhio.gov. The deadline to register is Monday October 5th, if you would like to participate in the Tuesday, November 3rd General Election. The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections (boe.cuyahogacounty.us) also has links on its website to update your address or register to vote, or to print out a blank voter registration form.
REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT via Cuyahoga County Board of Elections: www.boe.cuyahogacounty.us : Step by Step Guide to Vote by Mail: 1) Click here (visit boe.cuyahogacounty.us) to request or print an Absentee Ballot Request Form 2) Complete and Return your Absentee Request Form. 3) Wait for your ballot to arrive by mail which will be mailed to you in early October. 4) Mail it or return it to the County Board of Elections ASAP to prevent the post office from being overwhelmed with too many to deliver at the last minute.
THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF OHIO urges voters to request an absentee ballot early for the fall election to help both local boards of elections and the post office by flattening the ballot request curve. If enough people request absentee ballot applications this summer, that will lessen the burden on officials in the fall. Voters can go to http://voteohio.gov to print and complete an absentee voter application.
EMPLOYMENT
ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES SEEK WILLING AND ABLE WORKERS during this time through Coronavirus.Ohio.gov/JobSearch. Employers at essential businesses are also encouraged to post job openings on the site.
OHIO MEANS JOBS: Complete an application at www.ohiomeansjobs.com AND a local application at www.omjcc.us.
WEST SIDE CATHOLIC CENTER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CLASSES assist all people in transition, without housing, or who are underemployed. The eight-week program will assist you in identifying your passion, preparing you to re-enter the workforce and get you in front of employers with permanent positions with a career path potential. The program can also count as a county provider for individuals seeking a work requirement for SNAP benefits. This is all done in a one-on-one environment. With daily attendance and work requirement completed…our Program WILL GUARANTEE YOU JOB OFFERS! Classes run from 9:00 AM to 12:00 pm Monday thru Friday. Open computer lab and ServSafe every afternoon from 1:00-4:00 pm Questions, please call Frank Johanek, 216-631-4741 ext. 167
FOOD
THE FULTON BRANCH OF THE CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY, 3545 Fulton Road, will be offering children’s meals Monday thru Friday from 3-4 p.m. on a first come first served basis throughout the school year (beginning August 31st).
CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT’s 22 meal sites will remain open (M-F: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.) throughout the first quarter of the school year, providing grab-and-go breakfast and lunch bags for children ages 18 and under. The sites in the Plain Press service area are: Buhrer Dual Language, 1600 Buhrer Ave.; Clark, 5550 Clark Ave.; Denison, 3799 W. 33rd St.; Garfield, 3800 W. 140th; Louisa May Alcott, 10308 Baltic Road, and Waverly School, 1805 W. 57th Street. RTA will honor student bus passes for meal pickups.
- AUGUSTINE CHURCH HUNGER CENTER, 2486 W. 14th Street, distributes two takeout meals at the hunger center door daily Monday thru Sunday at 11:30 a.m. For more information call 216-781-5530.
MAY DUGAN CENTER, 4115 Bridge Ave., will host drive through food distribution each month. For more information and to register to pick up food visit their website at www.maydugancenter.net.
FIRST CALL FOR HELP: For days, times and locations for free food distribution call 211.
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
CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATIONS available at McCafferty Health Center, 4242 Lorain Avenue, from 9 a.m. till noon on Wednesdays. Call 644-6603 to make an appointment. Bring your child’s immunization records. Only the parent and the child receiving immunizations will be permitted in the clinic.
FREE LEAD SCREENING is available at McCafferty Health Center from the Cleveland Department of Public Health. Call 664-6603 for more information and to make an appointment.
VIRTUAL SUPPORT AND RECOVERY groups are available and listed on the ADAMHS Board website homepage at: adamhscc.org.
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.
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT: call the COVID-19 Careline hosted by Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services at 1-800-720-9616.
SUPPORT AND INFORMATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH: live chat is available at NAMI Greater Cleveland Helpline. Live chat messages back and forth with NAMI Greater Cleveland Helpline staff at namigreatercleveland.org.
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.
HOMELESSNESS
HOMELESS SEEKING SHELTER: The Coordinated Intake and Assessment system will be accessible by phone at 216-674-6700, available from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday. The United Way First Call for Help line is available at 2-1-1 during all other evening and weekend hours.
LIBRARIES
CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY let the community back in to its branches beginning August 24th on a minimal occupancy schedule, face masks required. On a limited basis, patrons are now able to use the computers, browse the collection, print, copy, fax, charge phones, apply for benefits, seek employment, etc. Library meeting rooms will not be made available for the time being.
CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY VIRTUAL PROGRAMS, including Kindergarten Readiness, are available at CPL.org.
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.
NOACA
NORTHEAST OHIO AREAWIDE COORDINATING AGENCY has launched a video campaign, Why the Long-Range Plan Should be Important to You. Send us an up to 30-second video on why the eNEO2050 Long-Range Plan is important for an equitable Northeast Ohio future. From land use, complete streets, walkability, and transportation accessibility, to project planning for your community, we want to hear about the needs of our region from its residents, to create an equitable future. Selected videos will be featured throughout our electronic and digital platforms monthly. Please send your video by August 31, 2020 at noaca@mpo.noaca.org.
OHIO
OHIO: Ohio will only require a rear license plate beginning July 1st. The requirement for a front plate was eliminated in the latest State of Ohio Transportation bill signed by Governor Mike DeWine in April of 2019.
PETS
CLEVELAND ANIMAL PROTECTIVE LEAGUE offers help if you are struggling to feed your pet due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Contact free pet food delivery is available to Cleveland residents living in isolation during the pandemic. For more information visit clevelandapl.org or call 216-771-4616.
RECREATION
CANALWAY PARTNERS offers Take a Hike Self-Guided Audio Tours. Use your mobile device to access tours at: http://www.TakeaHikeCLE.com.
CLEVELAND METROPARKS: The Metroparks are open. Some parking lots and roads have been closed to vehicles but are open to pedestrians and bicycles. Areas where it is difficult to keep proper physical distance such as the Edgewater Pier and the Fort Hill Stairs in Rocky River Reservation have been closed. For more information on areas that are closed visit: clevelandmetroparks.com.
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.
SERVICES
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.
SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS
CUYAHOGA COUNTY SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN aims to show how residents are “Spreading Joy” during COVID-19 Pandemic by using the hashtag #SpreadingJoyNEO share ideas and joy and inspire others to do things that feel good for them.
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 adult 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.
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.
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