Plain Press Community Board January 2022

ARTS

STATION HOPE 2022: Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) requests proposals for Station Hope 2022. Deadline for submissions is on Monday, February 7, 2022. Cleveland Public Theatre is planning the ninth annual STATION HOPE, a one-night event of entertainment and art inspired by the history of St. John’s Church and the Underground Railroad, the repercussions of oppression, and contemporary struggles for social justice, on Saturday, May 28, 2022. To make the best proposal possible for Station Hope, CPT strongly recommend that interested artists and organizations attend the Station Hope informational meeting on Saturday, January 8^thvia Zoom, from 10am-11:30am. At this meeting we will discuss the history of Station Hope, how the event works and review the application process. The meeting is open to anyone considering a proposal for Station Hope but you must RSVP. Please RSVP by emailing CPT’s Artistic Associate, India Nicole Burton, at iburton@cptonline.org.

CHILD TAX CREDIT

CHILD TAX CREDIT: Families with children who have not received the federal child tax credit monthly checks are urged to file a 2021 tax form listing your dependents – even if no taxes are owed. This should result in your family receiving the entire tax credit for 2021 ($3,600 for each child under age six and $3,000 for each child age 6 or older).  Congress has failed thus far to pass the Build Back Better Bill, so the credit may not be available for the 2022 tax year.

ENERGY ASSISTANCE

ENERYG ASSISTANCE: To apply for the Winter Crisis Program (WCP), Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), or Home Weatherization Assistance Program visit energyhelp.ohio.gov or download the Energy assistance Program Application. You can also call the Ohio Department of Development for an application at 800-282-0880. Call 711 for TDD services, for those who are hearing impaired.

HOUSEWARMING PROGRAM: CHN Housing Partners administers the Housewarming Program sponsored by Dominion Energy Ohio. The program provides weatherization assistance at no additional cost to income eligible active Dominion Energy Ohio customers to help reduce their energy usage. The program may provide air leakage reduction, attic and sidewall insulation, heating system repairs or replacement, and energy conservation education methods to maintain your home and see cost savings. Income guidelines: Households with one person with annual income of $25,700 or less; 2 persons with $34,840 or less; 3 persons with $43,920 or less; 4 persons with $53,000 or less; 5 persons $62, 080 or less; 6 persons $71,180 or less. Applications are available online at: www.chnhousingpartners.org/energyservices or can be picked up in person at: CHN Housing Partners, Energy Services, Suite 134, 2999 Payne Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114. For more details call the information hotline at 216-325-1149.

HELP LINES

UNITED WAY OF GREATER CLEVELAND’S 211: United Way of Greater Cleveland’s 211 experience is simple, friendly, free, and confidential. People in need of assistance dial 211 to connect with one of United Way of Greater Cleveland’s 211 highly trained navigation specialists who asks a series of questions about the caller’s circumstances. In one out of every three calls, United Way’s 211 navigation specialists identify multiple areas of need where additional resources and assistance are provided. Once the caller understands how to access the resources they need, the call ends but United Way’s 211 experience continues. Depending on the program, the United Way 211 navigation specialist follows up with the caller after a few hours or days to ensure the information provided was accurate and accessible — a logistical feat that United Way’s 211 navigation specialists accomplish with more than 100,000 unique data checks and entries to the Community Resource Database each year. Those who wish to do so can also chat online with a United Way 211 navigation specialist by visiting https://www.211oh.org/#. The top five overall needs for callers to United Way’s 2-1-1 HelpLink throughout 2021 include:  Housing, including rent payment assistance and shelters; Utility Assistance, including help with electric, gas and water bill payments; Income Support/Assistance, including employment and tax preparation services; Health Care, including vaccination information, prescription drug patient assistance programs, and coronavirus testing, and; Legal, Consumer, and Public Safety Services, including help with birth certificate fees.

OHIO PROBLEM GAMBLING HELPLINE: Problem gambling treatment is available at low or no cost to Ohioans. The Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline operates 24/7 at 1-800-589-9966 to provide resources to callers. Specialists can also connect callers with treatment options within 24 hours. You can also visit GamblingHelpOhio.org to find gambling treatment in your area.

HEALTH

VACCINATIONS: Mondays at McCafferty Health Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Flu shots, all brands and doses of COVID-19 vaccinations (including booster shots), and pediatric Pfizer vaccine. Call 664-2222 or visit gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome.

LEAD SAFE

FREE WATER LINES FOR CHILDCARE CENTERS: Childcare centers in buildings built before 1953 are likely to have lead water lines. A state funded program will replace both the city’s section and building owners’ lines for FREE. For more information call the City of Cleveland Water Department at 664-2639 or send an email to: leadlookup@clevelandwater.com.

LEAD SAFE CERTIFICATION FOR RENTAL PROPERTIES: The City of Cleveland and its community partners offer several resources to help landlords make their rental property lead safe and obtain a lead safe certification. Some financial assistance for testing and repairs may be available for owners of properties that are current on property taxes and registered as rentals through the City’s Rental Registration. For Financial assistance or guidance on preparing your property for inspection contact the Lead Safe Resource Center online at: https://leadsafecle.org/ or by phone at: (833) 601-5323. For information regarding how to submit your report visit the Department of Building and Housing online at: http://www.clevelandohio.gov/leadsafe or call us at 216-664-2274.

LIBRARIES

CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY: Out of an abundance of care and due to the rise in COVID-19 cases, Cleveland Public Library will return to curbside and walk-up service to protect staff and visitors. The changes  began on Monday, December 27. When picking up materials, you’re encouraged to wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines. You can also order your next read, movie, or audiobook on cpl.org. All returns should be placed in the book drops. As always, you can call one of our neighborhood branch locations or utilize the ASK CPL chat feature on our website to get answers to your reference questions. ASK CPL is available Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

SMOKE DETECTORS: Residents of Cleveland can receive free smoke detectors. Call 216-361-5535 and Cleveland Firefighters will install them for you.

RECREATION

REGISTRATION FOR WINTER PROGRAMS at City of Cleveland Recreation Centers is open from January 3 to February 25^th 2022. A wide variety of programs are offered for free to Cleveland residents. To learn more available programs, visit your local recreation center.

VOLUNTEERS

CUYAHOGA EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT (EITC) COALITION: Volunteers are needed for our 2022 tax site! Each tax season, volunteers serve as greeters or tax preparers with the Cuyahoga EITC Coalition at the Gordon Square Arcade (6516 Detroit Ave). This important service helps our hardworking residents receive their full tax refund. No prior experience is necessary – training is provided. To sign up visit: www.refundohio.org.