November 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: View the platform at: bit.ly/ppcjubilee
ARTS
CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART is open. 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
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 WERE SUSPENDED FOR SIX MONTHS. Meaning if benefits were supposed to expire in 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.
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 programs and for information on all federal programs, visit www.usa.gov/coronavirus.
CHILD ABUSE
PREVENTING CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE: The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center offers free online training for those interested in learning how to prevent childhood sexual abuse: Talking with Children about Safety from Sexual Abuse, October 7th at Noon; and Bystanders Protecting Children from Boundary Violations and Sexual Abuse, October 14th at Noon. For details on the free training sessions and how you can register visit: www.clevelandrapecrisis.org/educational-opportunities.
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
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
THE CLEVELAND WEST SIDE VILLAGE will have a program on Saturday November 14, 2020 from 10am to noon: “Exploring Long Term Care Options in Cleveland.” The speaker will be Emily Mutillo, Applied Research Fellow, Center for Community Solutions.Register for this Zoom program at:
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. 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
WAS YOUR FAMILY IMPACTED BY COVID-19? Do you need help feeding your family? Are you behind on your rent or utilities? Do you need cleaning or hygiene products? If you have a minor child or are pregnant and your income is below 200% of the federal poverty limit, help may be available to help with food, rent, utilities, and cleaning and hygiene products. (200% of the Federal Poverty Limit is $2, 127 a month for a single person, $2, 874 for two people, $3,620 for three people, and $4,367 for four people.) For more information about COVID-19 Emergency Assistance or to apply, leave a message on the PRC Information Line at 216-987-7392 or visit: https://hhs.cuyahogacounty.us/programs/detail/prevention-retention-and-contingency-program-covid-19-emergency-assistance
PREVENTION RESEARCH CENTER FOR HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS at Case Western Reserve University will be including the Cudell, Clark Fulton and Old Brooklyn neighborhoods in a study to explore neighborhood vulnerability and social perceptions related to COVID-19. If you are interested in helping, or being a study participant, the team is looking for residents that could serve as good reporters for any of the above approaches. Ideal candidates should be immersed in their neighborhood, have a good sense of the goings on of businesses and residents, and have access to a phone, tablet or computer for simple data collection. Potential participants will be contacted by a member of our study team to provide them with information about the study and determine if it would be a good fit. There will be compensation for their time if selected. If you have someone in mind for any of the neighborhoods listed above or have any questions about the project, please contact Dr. Meredith Goodwin at the PRCHN at mag@case.edu.
CLEVELAND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH’S online dashboard tracks coronavirus cases in the City of Cleveland. Visit clevelandhealth.org to check it out. As of September 26, the City of Cleveland reported 5, 425 confirmed cases and an additional 555 probable cases for a total of 5, 980 total COVID-19 cases. To date there have been 151 COVID-19 attributed deaths in Cleveland. The zip codes with the highest number of cases in Cleveland are coded red – meaning they have between 384 and 574 confirmed cases. Those zip codes are: 44102, 44105, 44109, 44111 and 44113.
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
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
LIFE INSURANCE BENEFICIARY ONLINE SEARCH SERVICE: Ohioans can access a free and easy to use online search service to determine if they may be due beneficiary proceeds from a missing life insurance policy or annuity contract. The Life Insurance Policy Locator at https://eapps.naic.org/life-policy-locator/#/welcome requires only basic information to get started. Individuals who believe they are beneficiaries, executors or legal representatives of a deceased person may submit a search request. Insurance companies receive the requests, search their records, and directly contact the individual only if a match is made, typically within 90 business days. For more information about the service visit www.insurance.ohio.gov or www.naic.org.
OHIO DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE offers advice on how to Complete a home inventory: Listing your possessions with photos and their values will prove worthwhile in a claim filing situation and help you determine if you have adequate insurance coverage. Download the free phone app myHOME Scr.APP.book or print a paper version at www.insurance.ohio.gov. For more, including how to navigate the claim filing process, use the Ohio Department of Insurance disaster preparation and recovery toolkit at www.insurance.ohio.gov. You can call the department’s insurance experts at 1-800-686-1526 with your insurance questions or send them to consumer.complaint@insurance.ohio.gov.
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.
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.
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.
DONATIONS
DONATE BLOOD: Through October 15th the hours to donate blood at the American Red Cross Warzel Blood Donation Center at 3747 Euclid Avenue are: Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 7a.m. to 3 p.m. and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from Noon to 8 p.m. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the blood drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance. To schedule an appointment, download the free Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
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
BELIEVE IN OHIO’S STATEWIDE STEM INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: Ohio high school students who are juniors or seniors during the 2020-2021 school year, and who meet the qualifications noted on the scholarship application, are invited to apply for a $1,000 Believe in Ohio STEM Scholarship. For more information on how to apply for the scholarship visit: https://mk0believeinohil21qn.kinstacdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Believe-in-Oho-Statewide-Scholarship-Program-Aug-12-2020.pdf
VIRTUAL LECTURE SERIES TO FEATURE BLACK BOTANISTS: Holden Forests & Gardens (HF&G) and the University of New Mexico announce the 2021 Scientist Lecture Series: Growing Black Roots the Black Botanical Legacy a groundbreaking FREE virtual lecture series to inspire others to pursue a career in plants and highlight pathways to diversity and inclusion in botanical sciences. This free 11-part series will take place online with a new speaker on the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. ET from through August 2021. To register visithttps://holdenarb.org/visit/events-lectures/scientist-lecture/. This series is open to all.
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
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/detroitshoreway or search “Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization” 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.
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
DISABLITY RIGHTS OHIO offers information on voting rights for persons with disabilities on its website: http://www.disabilityrightsohio.org/voting
ELECTION DAY VOTING: Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.
CUYAHOGA COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS, 2925 Euclid Avenue, will hold early voting hours through November 2nd. If you would like to vote in person at the Board of Elections the hours are: Weekdays, October 26-30th, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Saturday, October 31, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sunday, November 1, 1-5 p.m. and Monday November 2, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
EMPLOYMENT
LEAD SAFE WORKERS are needed to make Cleveland houses safe for children to live in. If you are interested in becoming a Lead Safe Worker visit the Lead Safe Cleveland Coalition’s website at leadsafecle.org to complete the Workforce Development Referral and Screening tool to submit your interest in receiving free training to join the lead safe workforce.
WEST SIDE CATHOLIC CENTER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CLASSES assist all people in transition, without housing, or who are underemployed. The eight-week program, recognized with the community excellence award by the City of Cleveland, 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. This is all done in a one-on-one environment. With daily attendance and work requirement completed…our Program WILL GUARANTEE YOU JOB OFFERS in the areas of your interest! 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. Next Class, November 9th.
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.
ENVIRONMENT
RECYCLE YARD SIGNS: you can recycle your campaign yard signs – plastic film, corrugated plastic, and paper signs plus the metal stands – at the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District, 4750 East 131st Street in Garfield Heights. Hours are Mon.-Fri. from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Collection dates are from November 4, 2020 to November 20, 2020.
CUYAHOGA COUNTY SOLID WASTE DISTRICT is the public agency helping the people of Cuyahoga County reduce, reuse and recycle at home, at work and in their communities. We serve as the leading resource in the County for information, expertise and programs that support sustainable materials management and reduce the environmental impact of waste. Visit www.CuyahogaRecycles.org or call (216) 443-3749 to learn how to recycle in your community and discover other recycling and disposal options.
FOOD
TRI-C STUDENTS HOST FREE VIRTUAL COOKING CLASS on November 12 from 6-7:30 p.m. Visit virtualwinedinner.eventbrite.com to register and get a list of ingredients and supplies to purchase in advance. Free class — donations accepted.
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.
CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT(CMSD) is providing grab and go meals to Cleveland children ages 18 or younger. Option One: Grab and Go meals at all K-8 school sites on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. On Tuesdays meals may be picked up for Tuesday and Wednesday. Option Two: Grab and Go meals at all CMSD High Schools available for once a week pick up every Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students, parents or caregivers can go to the school building closest to their home.
ST. AUGUSTINE CHURCH HUNGER CENTER, 2486 W. 14th Street, distributes 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
PREVENTION ACTION ALLIANCE urges parents to make children aware of the dangers of social media – digital dares to abuse drugs. Learn more about Prevention Action Alliance and how to play your role in prevention at preventionactionalliance.org. In the event of an overdose, call the Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222.
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.
HELP LINES
STATEWIDE RESOURCES FOR HELP WITH PROBLEM GAMBLING: Get Set Before You Bet, BeforeYouBet.org; Keep it Fun Ohio, KeepitFunOhio.com; The Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline, 800-589-9966 or GamblingHelpOhio.org; and Problem Gambling Network of Ohio, PGNOhio.org. Gambling support services are available at no or little cost to all Ohio residents. Please contact Problem Gambling Network of Ohio at INFO@PGNOhio.org for more information on Ohio’s measures to ensure support is available to those impacted by gambling.
LEGAL HELP
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: Are you or is someone you know struggling to pay rent due to the COVID-19 crisis? The newly created $6.8 million Cuyahoga County Relief Fund, administered by CHN Housing Partners, provides emergency rental assistance for up to 90 days to income-eligible tenants. Payments will be made to landlords. Households that are at 120% of median income are eligible; for example, a family of four with an annual income of around $90,000 will qualify for the program. Applications are available here:
https://chnhousingpartners.org/rentalassistance/ or call 833-377-RENT (7368).
OHIO LEGAL HELP, runs OhioLegalHelp.org., a free legal help website that provides forums, legal information, and referrals to community resources in critical areas such as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s moratorium on evictions (through December 31st of this year), unemployment benefits, foreclosures and domestic violence.
LIBRARIES
CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY welcomes the community back into its branches 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. Library hours are Monday thru Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hours for immunocompromised individuals: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
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.
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.
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
OHIO PROBLEM GAMBLING HOTLINE: If you or a loved one might have a gambling problem, you can take the short, nine question quiz at https://www.beforeyoubet.org/the-quiz/. In addition to the quiz, the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline (800.589.9966) is available 24/7 to provide support and information for those who are experiencing gambling problems, whether it be the individual gambler or a loved one. Certified gambling counselors are on-call every evening and weekend to provide help emotional support and resources for callers. Help and hope are only a call away!
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.
SUICIDE PREVENTION
JASON FOUNDATION’S COACHES ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Did you know, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for youth ages 12-18 and young adults aged 18-22 in the state of Ohio? Many times, student athletes may have elevated risk factors that make them more susceptible to suicidal thought. It is imperative that coaches know what to look out for and what to do if they recognize a student athlete is in trouble. The Jason Foundation’s Coaches Assistance Program (CAP) is here to provide athletic department personnel (especially coaches, athletic trainers, and academic advisors) the tools they need to help identify an athlete’s behavioral changes and emotional struggles. The Coaches Assistance program can be accessed online at www.coachesassistanceprogram.com or you can download the Free CAP App on Apple and Android.
JASON FOUNDATION’S new training focuses on supporting and educating first responders, who are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty. Police Officers, Firefighters, and EMS Workers are more likely to suffer from PTSD than the general public. Researchers found that elevated levels of PTSD were associated with a higher likelihood of thinking about suicide and/or having a history of suicide attempts. The Jason Foundation’s new training is titled, “First Responders Training Module: Addressing Suicide with Youth in the Community and within the Profession.” The goal of this training is to provide First Responders with the knowledge, skills and resources to enable them to be better able to recognize the signs of concern and elevated risk factors for suicidal ideation in youth within their community, as well as in co-workers and fellow first responders. To access the training, visit The Jason Foundation’s website and look for First Responders under the How to Get Involved Tab. The module was designed for both individual study and group training. As with all trainings offered by The Jason Foundation, there is no charge for this educational module. Visit The Jason Foundation’s website for more information. www.jasonfoundation.com
VOLUNTEERS
VOLUNTEER TO BE A LONG-TERM CARE ASSOCIATE: Ombudsman Associates are advocates who provide a voice for the concerns of long-term care consumers who are living in their own homes, nursing homes, or assisted living. Volunteers make regular visits, observe conditions and engage residents in conversation to learn about problems or concerns consumers may have regarding care and services. Want to learn more about becoming a Long-Term Care Associate? The Long-Term Care Ombudsman’s (LTCO) office can equip you with free certificate training. Contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman’s office at 1-800-365-3112 or 216-696-2719; visit the LTCO website at: www.ltco.org; or email Barb Prociak at bprociak@ltco.org.
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.
YOUTH
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS A ClubSmart Learning Centers are at The City Life Center, 3340 Trowbridge Ave., and Riverview Welcome Center, 1701 W. 25th Street. Hours for the Trowbridge center will be 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays. The hours for the Riverview Welcome Center are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Centers are open to kids ages 6-18, and there is no charge. For registration information, contact Sandra Del Valle at sdelvalle@bgcneo.org.
LEADERS OF TOMORROW YOUNG ADULT WORK GROUP: Creating positive change through improved police policies. The Cleveland Police Commission, which was formed by way of the Consent Decree between the City of Cleveland and the United States Justice Department, is looking for individuals between the ages of 18-26 who live in the city of Cleveland for its Young Adult Work Group. Apply by Saturday, October 31st. The work group will meet over a 24-month period beginning in January 2021. Members must be able to commit to (at a minimum) 10 hours per month and will receive a $150/month stipend. Apply today or share with a friend to get involved! For more information or to apply visit: www.clecpc.org/leaders-of-tomorrow
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