ADVOCACY

CLEVELAND DOCUMENTERS, an initiative of City Bureau and Signal Cleveland, trains and pays residents like you to attend local government meetings and document them for the public. Join a community of civic-minded Clevelanders working to make local government understable to all residents. To get started, create an account at documenters.org, fill out the sign-up form, then attend a free Cleveland Documenters training.

CITIZENS NOT POLITICIANS: Join the campaign to end gerrymandering in Ohio and learn more about how you can get involved  by visiting CitizensNotPoliticians.org.

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

HOMEWORK HELP: All K-12 students can receive free help with their homework at select branches of the Cleveland Public Library, including the Fulton Branch (3545 Fulton Rd., 216-623-6969), the South Branch (3096 Scranton Rd., 216-623-7060), and the West Park Branch (3805 W 157 St, 216-623-7102). The help is available 4pm-6pm, Mondays thru Thursdays.

MERRICK HOUSE FREE YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAM for Cleveland residents, Monday thru Friday 2:30pm-5:30 pm at 1050 Starkweather Ave. in the Tremont neighborhood for students ages 6-17.  Program offers homework assistance, snacks, arts and crafts, field trips, fitness activities and service projects. Some programs offered are Youth Leadership Council, Junior Achievement Curriculum, Ambassador of Compassion Curriculum. Older students (ages 13-17) are encouraged to participate in discussions on issues affecting them today. For more information or to sign up for the Youth Program at Merrick House, which serves the west side of Cleveland, call 216-771-5077 or email zharyiab@merrickhouse.org.

SISTERHOOD is an after school program in Cleveland that empowers teenage girls through performance arts, literacy, STEM, and socioemotional wellness. Girls in grades 4th-12th are encouraged to sign up. Offering a hybrid model in schools and at West Side Community House (9300 Lorain Ave), the program fosters leadership, confidence, and community involvement, equipping girls to reach their full potential. Call 216-771-7297 to learn more or to sign your child up. The program runs Tuesdays thru Thursdays after school.

ARTS

FRIENDS AND FAMILY OPEN STUDIO: Arthouse Inc. (3119 Denison Ave.) offers a family-friendly, pay-what-you-can art workshop on the third Saturday of each month from 1pm-3 pm. Join us this month for the workshop “Diwali Lights Project” on Saturday, October 19 or next month for “Honoring Native American Art” on Saturday, November 16. Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. Visit arthouseinc.org to sign up or call 216-398-8556 for more information.

COMMUNITY

HISPANIC SENIOR DAY: Join the City of Cleveland and its community partners for the 5th Annual Hispanic Senior Day Friday, October 4 from 11 am to 2:30 pm at La Sagrada Familia Hall (7719 Detroit Ave). The event will include domino, dessert, and dance competitions, fun activities, resources, Latin lunch, raffles, and entertainment. Seating is limited, so please call Emilly at 216-420-7616 to reserve a seat.

NEW CLEVELAND FLAG: The city-wide vote for a new Cleveland flag is now open! To check out the finalists and their symbolism – and to vote for your favorite – visit cleflag.org.

SAFE SMART CLE: Cleveland’s Camera Registration Program allows private residents and businesses to register their security cameras to an online portal, only accessible through permission, for the Department of Public Safety personnel to quickly make a map of relevant cameras in the event of a crime or incident. Registering cameras to this program will not allow remote access to cameras. However, the Camera Integration Program, which is open to businesses only, does enable the sharing of live video feeds from private cameras with public safety personnel in emergencies. Email gbrown3@clevelandohio.gov to learn more about both programs.

ST PAUL’S THRIFT STORE, at St. Paul’s Community Church (4427 Franklin Boulevard) offers low-cost, gently used clothes,  Kitchen and household items, books, toys, games, furniture, and electronics. Most items are $1 or less. Clothes are sorted before displayed, and only clean/working items available. The store is open Wednesdays from 1 pm to 3pm , or join us for a $1 bag sale the first Saturday of each month  from 10 am to noon. (The store is located behind the church. Use the driveway across from the Community Garden on West 45th St.) Questions? Call 216-651-6250 or email office@stpaulscommunityucc.org.

WARD 14 COMMUNITY MEETINGS: Join Ward 14 Councilwoman Jasmin Santana to learn about available resources, the City’s budget, and community plans – and to share your concerns about your neighborhood. Youths aged 19 years old and younger are invited to the meeting at City Life Center (3340 Trowbridge Ave) on Tuesday, October 15, 7pm-8pm. Residents 55 years old and older are invited to the meeting at the West Side Community House (9300 Lorain Ave) on Thursday, October 17, 7pm-8pm.

EDUCATION

SAY YES CLEVELAND offers a variety of free support services to students and their families. The services are available to all families with a student enrolled at a CMSD or partner charter school and include: after school programs, legal assistance, tutoring, food assistance, behavioral and physical health services, and help with housing. To learn more, visit sayyescleveland.org or meet with a Family Support Specialist, available at every school, to find out how they can connect you to the resources you need.

SEEDS OF LITERACY offers free adult basic education and GED classes and one-on-one tutoring. Services are available at both their westside (3104 W 25 St, third floor) and eastside locations (13815 Kinsman Ave). Call 216-661-7950 or visit seedsofliteracy.org to enroll.

ELECTION

BE A POLL WORKER: Participate in our electoral process and earn some extra cash by signing up to work the polls. To serve as a poll worker in Ohio, you must: be a US citizen, be at least 18 years old and registered to vote, not be running as a candidate in the election in which you are working, and have not been convicted of a felony. To sign up, visit OhioSoS.gov.

EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING ahead of the November 5 presidential election will begin October 8 at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections (2925 Euclid Ave.) The Board of Elections will be open for voting on select days from October 8 until Sunday, November 3. For a full list of hours, visit boe.cuyahogacounty.gov/voters/vote-early-in-person. Don’t forget to bring a valid photo ID!

VOTE-BY-MAIL APPLICATIONS for the November general election are available at boe.cuyahogacounty.gov or by calling 216-443-8683 (VOTE). Applications must be received at the Board of Elections by Tuesday, October 29 at 8:30 pm.  Once you receive your ballot in the mail, fill it out and mail it to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections at 2925 Euclid Ave. Cleveland, OH 44115. Ballots must be postmarked by Monday, November 4 to count.

VOTER REGISTRATION: To be eligible to vote in the presidential election this November, you must be registered to vote by October 7. To register to vote for the first time, check or update your voter status, request an absentee ballot, or find your polling location, visit boe.cuyahogacounty.gov. You can also visit any branch of the Cleveland Public Library to receive assistance with this.

YWCA GREATER CLEVELAND is committed to making sure your voice is heard in the upcoming elections. If you’re not registered to vote or need to update your information, now is the perfect time to get started! We’re excited to announce the launch of our Get Out the Vote webpage at https://ywcaofcleveland.squarespace.com/get-out-the-vote? designed to make voter registration easy and accessible for everyone in our community. Visit Get Out the Vote to: check your voter registration status; register to vote; find important election dates and deadlines; and learn about key issues impacting our community.

ENVIRONMENT

AMERICAN CLIMATE CORPS: Visit whitehouse.gov/climatecorps to sign up to learn more about this workforce training program. All participants in the program will be paid.

NUISANCE WILDLIFE TRAPPING: The City of Cleveland Division of Animal Care and Control offers trapping of “nuisance” wildlife (skunks, groundhogs, opossums, and raccoons) from May 1 through October 31. These animals are euthanized and disposed of, if removed from your property. Traps are loaned for a $20 refundable fee. (Note: this service does not handle animals trapped in your home.) Call 216-664-3069.

SPOTTED LANTERNFLY: The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has designated the spotted lanternfly, a flying insect native to Asia, as an invasive species. First spotted in Pennsylvania in 2014, the insects have made their way to Ohio and have recently been seen in the Cleveland area. The insects, if left unchecked, can devastate fruit and vegetable crops. An adult spotted lanternfly has fuzzy gray wings with black dots, while younger lanternflies are bright red with black and white spots.  If you see a spotted lanternfly, take a photo of it, squash it, then report the sighting to the ODA at https://bit.ly/3wfWB9m.

HALLOWEEN

BIG CITY BOO, a Halloween-themed event for kids and families, returns to city rec centers on Thursday, October 31 from 5 pm to 7 pm. The event features candy, refreshments, and games – all in a safe and fun environment. Every Cleveland rec center will be participating, including Cudell (1910 West Blvd.), Estabrook (4125 Fulton Rd.), Halloran (3550 W. 117th St.), and Michael Zone (6301 Lorain Ave).

TRICK OR TREATING: Traditional door-to-door trick or treating will be held in Cleveland on Halloween night, Thursday, October 31, from 6 pm to 8 pm. Households participating in passing out candy are encouraged to turn their front porch light on to indicate to trick or treaters that they are participating.

HEALTH

MEDICAID MEMBERS CAN NOW CHOOSE 2025 COVERAGE: Now through the end of open enrollment on November 30th, Ohio Medicaid members can review available 2025 managed care plans and can choose a new plan. If members decide to select a new plan, their new coverage will begin on the first day of the month following their selection. If Medicaid members wish to stay with their current managed care plan, they do not have to take any action. Members can select a new plan by using the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline Portal at www.ohiomh.com or by calling the Hotline at 800-324-8680 (TTY 711). Representatives are available 7 am-8 pm Monday through Friday and Saturdays 8 am-5pm.

FREE MAMMOGRAMS: If you’re 40 years old or older, you qualify for a free screening mammogram courtesy of MetroHealth on Saturday, October 12 from 9 am to 3 pm at Primera Iglesia Bautista (6800 Denison Ave). Space is limited and appointments are required. Call Patricia Tousel at 216-778-8557 to schedule.

PROJECT DAWN EXPANDED MOBILE UNIT: Project DAWN, an initiative of MetroHealth and the Ohio Department of Health, offers FREE and confidential services, including: HIV/Hepatitis C testing, condoms, naloxone, safe injection and safe smoking supplies, and fentanyl/xylazine test strips. Call 216-387-6290 or visit us at 3370 W. 25th St. Monday thru Friday from 10 am to 3 pm.

PROJECT RED CORD NIGHT OUT: Join The Renee Jones Empowerment Center for Project Red Cord Night Out on Friday, October 25 or Friday, November 22 at 5 pm at W. 73rd and Lorain Ave. Free and open to the community, the project offers food, a mobile medical clinic, personal care items, and access to partner organizations. For details, contact The Renee Jones Empowerment Center at 216-417-0823.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE CONCERNS? Attend St Malachi’s Samaritan Ministry program: The Problem with Alcohol and Other Drugs: Impact On the Family at 1-3:45 PM in Stella Maris Auditorium on Saturday, October 26. FREE — donations welcomed.  Register at bit.ly/RegisterAAF2024.For questions or more info, contact Judy Stowe at 216/280-0675 (judystowe@gmail.com) or St. Malachi’s at 216/861-5343.

HOUSING

HOUSING EXPO: On Saturday, October 5, the office of Congresswoman Shontel Brown will host its first annual OH-11 Housing Expo at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center (2000 Prospect Ave E). The expo will feature federal, state, and local agencies sharing resources and information for current and prospective homeowners as well as those looking to sell, repair, or renovate. The expo will also offer breakout sessions on topics such as homeowners insurance, utility assistance and resources, mortgage refinancing, and property marketing and value assessment. Register now at tinyurl.com/yck8963w.

IF YOU NEED SHELTER contact  Cuyahoga County’s Coordinated Intake office at 216-674-6700. Hours of operation: 8 am – 8 pm, Monday – Friday. After hours and weekends please call 2-1-1 for an on-call Coordinated Intake representative. If it is after hours women in need of assistance may also go directly to Norma Herr Women’s Center, 2227 Payne Avenue, and staff will assist you in contacting Coordinated Intake the following day.

LIBRARIES

CLEREADS is a Young Adult (YA) book festival that will take place Tuesday, October 1, 9:30 am–1:30 pm at the main branch of the Cleveland Public Library (525 Superior Ave). Featuring authors of YA fiction and nonfiction focused on mental health, self-care, social justice, and more, the festival aims to inspire teens to pursue healthy, empowered lives and positively impact the world around them. Hip Hop artist and activist Common will close the festival by discussing his new book, And Then We Rise.

COME CLAY WITH ME is a storytime after school activity for kids ages 3-5 held on the first Wednesday of each month at the Eastman branch of the Cleveland Public Library (11602 Lorain Ave.) from 3 pm to 4 pm. Each time, we’ll read a book then make a character out of clay that you can take home. Our next three books will be: Pete the Cat on October 2, Butterfly, Butterfly on November 6, and Dog’s Colorful Day on December 4.

EASTMAN BOOK CLUB: Join us on select Thursdays at the Eastman branch of the Cleveland Public Library (11602 Lorain Ave.) from 4:30 pm-5:30 pm to discuss some of the branch staff’s favorite books. We will discuss Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes on October 17, Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery on November 7, and The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas on December 5.

MUSIC AT MAIN: Enjoy free live music Saturday, October 5 at 2 pm at the main branch of the Cleveland Public Library (325 Superior Ave), in the third floor lobby. This month’s concert will feature Burning River Swing, playing some gypsy swing in the style of Djanjo Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli.

SECOND SATURDAY RPGS: Fun is the focus at this monthly meetup where we play tabletop role playing games of all kinds. We’ll feature a new game each time, and we’ve done all the prep work for you. We meet the second Saturday of each month from noon to 2 pm at the Louis Stokes Wing of the downtown library (525 Superior Ave.), in the Social Sciences Department, which is on the fifth floor. Our next three meetups will be October 12, November 9, and December 14.

RECREATION

FREE SUNDAYS at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for all residents of Cleveland or East Cleveland. Please reserve your tickets in advance at cmnh.org/visit. Proof of residency is required upon arrival.

ROCK HALL’S CLE VIP PROGRAM offers current Cleveland residents free admission to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The free CLE VIP tickets are available online only, at rockhall.com/ticketing, and upon arrival at the museum you must show proof of residency such as a driver’s license, state ID, or photo ID with a City of Cleveland address. Children under 18 without an ID may gain entrance with their parent or guardian. Limited to five minors (without ID) per one adult admission.