February 2022 Community Board

ARTS

STUDENT THEATRE ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (STEP) AUDITIONS: Cleveland Public Theatre announces auditions for the Student Theatre Enrichment Program will be held via ZOOM on Wednesday, February 16 from 6-8 p.m. or Sunday, March 6 from 1:30- 4p.m. STEP is a summer arts-based job training program that engages Cuyahoga County teens ages 14-19 in a powerful 8-week intensive program that focuses on excellence in performance, play creation, physical theatre, writing, production and set design/construction. Youths, ages 14-19, work together to create, produce, perform, and tour an original piece that they create as an ensemble. To RSVP for the auditions, or to ask questions contact: Nicole Sumlin, CPT Education Director by email at nsumlin@cptonline.org  or by phone at 216-631-2727 ext. 203, or Allyse Corbin, Education Associate by email at acorbin@cptonline.org, or by phone at 216-390-8352.

IN CONCERT: PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE VIOLIN from the collection of Evan Mirapaul will be at the Transformer Station, 1460 W. 29^th Street, thru April 3, 2022. Public reception: Friday, February 11 from 6-8 p.m. Museum hours: Wednesday – Sunday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. TransformerStation.org.

INLET DANCE THEATRE is offering tours of its new space at the Pivot Center for Art, Dance & Expression, 2937 W. 25^th Street. Come learn about dance classes for children and adults and the availability of scholarships. To schedule a private tour contact LIBBY.KOBA@INLETDANCE.ORG.

BLAQUE CLEVELAND: The Galleries at Cleveland State University (CSU), 1307 Euclid Avenue, present the exhibition Blaque Cleveland which explores landscapes, the human form, collages examining society, and photographs capturing young Black lives from four of Cleveland’s strongest voices in the Black Visual Arts Community. CSU alumnus and guest curator, Brendan Whitt, has assembled artists Daivon Sheppard, Isaiah Williams, Klara Booker and Dakaral Akil. Exhibit runs thru March 19. Opening reception: 3, 5-8 p.m. Thursday night art talk on February 17 from 5-6:30 p.m. with artists DAivon Shepherd and Isaiah Williams. Gallery viewing hours: Noon – 5 p.m. Tuesday thru Saturday.

QUIRE CLEVELAND will perform Bohemian Treasure: Demantius’ St. John Passion on Friday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. at St. John Cantius Church, 906 College Avenue, in the Tremont neighborhood.

ASSISTANCE

THE LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLD WATER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHWAP) began on January 18, 2022 and will end on September 30, 2022. The program is designed to help Cuyahoga County residents with income at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines pay their water and wastewater bills. Applicants will be interviewed by phone or virtually. To make an appointment, call CHN Housing Partners at 216-350-8008, or schedule an appointment online at www.chn.itfrontdesk.com. Income less than $175% of poverty is: $22,540 a year or less for a household of one; $30, 485 a year or less for a household of two; $38,430 a year or less for a household of three; and $46,375 a year or less for a household of four.

RENTAL ASSISTANCE is available through a program at ESOP for residents of the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County who are having difficulty making rental payments due to the economic impact of the pandemic and who meet income eligibility requirements. Low to moderate-income residents impacted by COVID-19, experiencing unemployment and/or a reduction in household income are encouraged to apply. To learn how ESOP can help, call 216-361-0718 or send an email to esopcalls@benrose.org.

ADVOCATES FOR OHIO’S FUTURE’S 2022 OHIO PUBLIC PROGRAM ELIGIBLITY GUIDE: OHIO WORKS FIRST: Cash assistance program funded through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Block Grant. Majority of cases are child only. Gross income eligibility limit: 50% of the Federal Poverty Level. Income limit for a family of four is $13,875. SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGAM: Monthly hunger assistance program. Gross income eligibility: 130% of Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Income limit for a family of four: $36,075. Net income eligibility limit:100% FPL. MEDICAID:Health insurance for low-income Ohioans, pregnant women, infants and children, older adults, and Ohioans with disabilities. Gross income eligibility limit: 138% FPL. Income limit for family of four: $38,295. PUBLICLY FUNDED CHILD CARE: Childcare subsidy program for Ohio families. Initial eligibility income limit: 142% FPL. Income limit for family of four: $39,405. Children with special needs income limit: 150% FPL. Income limit for family of four with Special Needs $41,625. For more information visit the Advocates for Ohio’s Future website at: www.advocatesforohio.org.

CLEVELAND FAMILY CENTER FOR MISSING CHILDREN AND ADULTS offers assistance to families searching for a missing loved one. For more information visit: www.clevelandmissing.org.

CONSUMER HELP

CUYAHOGA COUNTY CONSUMER AFFAIRS SCAM SQUAD: 216-443-SCAM (7226).

COVID-19 AND YOUR MONEY: Struggling with money problems because of the COVID-19 pandemic? Get on track with facts and help from the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a federal government agency that makes sure banks, lenders, and other financial companies treat you fairly. The CFPB can help you: avoid eviction or foreclosure; deal with student loans; stay on top of bills; care for your family’s budget; steer clear of scams; and know your rights. Visit: www.consumerfinance.gov/covidrelief

COVID-19 TESTS

FREE AT HOME COVID-19 TESTS: Every home in the United States is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. To order your tests visit www.covidtests.gov.
COVID-19 VACCINE

THE CLEVELAND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH administers first series, booster and additional vaccine doses to eligible adults ages 18 and older (and with consent, 5-17 year-old minors may receive the Pfizer vaccine). For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact the Vaccine Help Line at 216-664-2222. Hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. You may also visit gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome for 1^st and 2^nd dose appointments, unless noted. In addition to standing clinics at the City of Cleveland’s two public health centers, J. Glen and McCafferty, appointments are available for pop-up clinics happening throughout the City of Cleveland. Cleveland Department of Public Health is one of many vaccine providers in the area. Others include federally-qualified health centers such as Neighborhood Family Practice, home health providers, hospitals, physicians, and pharmacies. Check your eligibility and find other vaccine providers by visiting gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov or calling Ohio Department of Health at 1-833-427-5634.

EDUCATION

DOLLY PARTON’S IMAGINATION LIBRARY mails children one age-appropriate book each month until their 5th birthday. All children in Cuyahoga County are eligible to be enrolled in the program at no cost to their family. The Literacy Cooperative leads the program in Cuyahoga County. To register your child, please visit www.literacycooperative.org/imagination-library.

SEEDS OF LITERACY: Free Adult Basic Education and GED Classes: One on one tutoring, learning at your own pace, friendly and relaxed place to learn. Call 216-661-7950 or visit www.seedsofliteracy.org.

EDUCATION GRANTS

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL FUNDING APPLICATIONS OPEN: Attention Ohio school districts! The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has an opportunity for you or your partners to apply for funding to develop and implement projects that enable and encourage children to safely walk or bike to school. For more information on applying, please visit www.transportation.ohio.gov/saferoutes. Here you will find additional application guidelines as well as your region’s Safe Routes to School contact. The application deadline is March 4, 2022.

EMPLOYMENT

OHIO GUIDESTONE’S WORKFORCE 360°: Are you 18-24 years old? Do you want paid training? Choose programs to get credentials in Job Readiness, Healthcare, Construction and Manufacturing. All programs include GED/high school diploma assistance, paid training, resume/interview preparation, financial literacy training, transportation assistance, help finding a job, support for one year following program completion, help with healthcare, childcare, housing, food assistance and legal needs. For more information contact CuyahogaWorkforce@OhioGuidestone.org or call 440-260-6813.

HEALTH

FIGHT CHILDREN’S LEAD POISONING WITH NUTRITION: Cleveland Lead Advocates for Safe Housing offers these nutrition tips to help fight lead poisoning: Calcium makes it harder for lead to enter your child’s body. Calcium is found in dairy products, leafy green vegetables, and whole grains. Iron also blocks lead for being taken into your child’s body. Iron is in lead red meats, fish, eggs, beans, peanut butter, and whole grain cereals. Dried fruit such as raisins, apricots and prunes are also a source of iron. Vitamin C helps your child’s body put calcium and iron to work. Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits and juices. Some vegetables such as tomatoes, cabbage, potatoes, and peppers also contain Vitamin C.

YMCA’S RESET CHALLENGE: To help people carry through on their wellness goals, the Y is hosting the RESET ‌‌‌Challenge. The three-week challenge is free and open to the community. Participants will receive texts throughout the program featuring motivational tips and tools to set and reach goals. They will also have the chances to win weekly prizes including an activity tracker smart watch, workout wireless headphones, and athletic gear gift cards. Those interested in joining the challenge are encouraged to sign up by February 1 by texting RESET to 844-889-6222.

LEGAL AID

LEGAL AID’S TENANT INFO LINE at 216-861-5955 can help you answer questions about eviction, and tenants’ rights.

LEGAL AID’S WORKER INFOR LINE at 216-861-5899 can help to answer your questions about unemployment benefits, medical leave and paid leave laws and other worker questions.

PROPERTY TAXES

CUYAHOGA COUNTY announced that the deadline to pay your 2021 Property Taxes without penalty has been extended to February 10^th 2022 (the bills mailed out say January 27^th).

PROPERTY TAX APPEALS: Appeals to the Cuyahoga County Board of Revision can be submitted until March 31st, 2022. You can submit an appeal by completing a DTE-1 Form found on the county website: https://bor.cuyahogacounty.us. The Board of revision will review the case within 6 to 12 months. The Board will base its decision on what the market price would be if you tried to sell your house.

PUBLIC COMMENT

CLEVELAND CITY COUNCIL meets each Monday (except holidays) at 7 p.m. To make a three-minute public comment at the meeting you must register between the prior Wednesday at noon and 2 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Registration forms are available at the Cleveland City Council Website at: www.clevelandcitycouncil.org or can be picked up in person at Room 220 in Cleveland City Hall, 601 Lakeside Avenue, NE. The forms can be emailed to: publiccomment@clevelandcitycouncil.org or they can be dropped off at the City Council Office on the second floor of City Hall, or sent by mail.

RECOVERY SERVICES

Y-HAVEN: A YMCA facility providing recovery services and transitional housing in Cuyahoga County. For more information visit: www.clevelandymca.org.

STUDENT LOANS

STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT FREEZE EXTENDED TO MAY 1, 2022: The White Hose announced the moratorium on federal student loan payments would be extended until May 1, 2022. 

SUPPORT GROUPS

THE UBUNTU HAIR LOVE PROJECT is a community program that offers free support to those individuals who are in turmoil from hair discrimination, hair shaming, hair bullying, and dislike of one’s own hair experiences. Using a grant from Neighborhood Connections, Ladosha Wright, owner of Reverence Design Team hopes to “expand the knowledge of the history of Black hair, and its uniqueness to individuals who’ve had traumatic experience resulting from hair discrimination. Classes will begin Sunday, February 6^th at 2 p.m. and will continue every Sunday thru June of 2022. New groups of participants will form every four weeks. There is no cost to participate, learning materials and healthy snacks will be provided. For registration information contact the Reverence Design Team at 216-321-1101 or email ladoshaw@yahoo.com.

TAXES

FREE TAX PREPARATION is available. To schedule a virtual or drop-off appointment visit refundohio.org or call 211. Eligible households can receive up to $6,700 from the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Northwest Neighborhoods is hosting a drop-off site at the Gordon Square Arcade (6516 Detroit Ave.), and translation services are available.