ACTIVISM

ACT UP CLEVELAND, a diverse, non-partisan group of individuals united in anger and committed to direct action to end the AIDS crisis, holds regular meetings at the LGBT Community Center (6705 Detroit Ave). This month, they will meet on Thursday, November 6 and Thursday, November 20, from 6 pm to 7:30 pm.

BILINGUAL IMMIGRATION AND WAGE THEFT CLINIC: Not getting paid everything you’re owed? Need assistance with an immigration case? Not being treated fairly at work? We’re here to help! Join the Northeast Ohio Worker Center and attorney José Juárez for a free legal clinic for workers and immigrants in our community. Clinics are held monthly, either virtually or in person (Cleveland, Ohio). This month’s session will be on Saturday, November 1. Register now at tinyurl.com/NEOworkerCenter. Location and time details will be given after registration. For more information, call or text 216-258-0924.

PARENTS UNITED FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS SEEKS NEW MEMBERS: Parents United for Public Schools is reaching out to parents and community members who would like to join with other Cleveland Metropolitan School District parents to work to protect our public schools. The group asks parents: Are you concerned about your child’s school being underfunded? Does your child have an Individual Educational Program (IEP) that you’ve had to advocate for? Do you care about protecting Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs and keeping censorship out of our classrooms. Parents United for Public Schools believes all our kids deserve a public school that helps them achieve their dreams. However, decades of underfunding, along with the current attacks on public education have led to a crisis. It is up to parents to fight for fully and fairly funded public schools that can provide the programs, support, and quality education that our kids need and deserve. For more information visit https://www.parentsunitedforpublicschools.com.

WEST SIDE CREATION CARE TEAM: Become a part of the movement for environmental justice! The West Side Creation Care Team, an ecumenical grassroots organization that promotes taking care of our common home, meets on the third Wednesday of every month at 7 pm at St. Paul’s Community Church (4427 Franklin Blvd). To join virtually, email: westsidecreationcare@gmail.com.

ART

FRIENDS AND FAMILY OPEN STUDIO: Art House, Inc. (3119 Denison Ave.) offers a free family-friendly art workshop on the third Saturday of each month from 1 pm-3 pm. In this month’s workshop, explore tiles and pattern design with teaching artist Angelica Pozo on Saturday, November 15. Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. Donations are appreciated. Visit arthouseinc.org to sign up or call 216-398-8556 for more information.

MUSIC AT MAIN – BRENT KIRBY: Enjoy free live music Saturday, November 1 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 multiple Cleveland Music Award and Cleveland Scene winner Brent Kirby.

“EVERLASTING PLASTICS”: This provocative art exhibition, running now thru January 17, 2026 at SPACES Gallery (2900 Detroit Ave.), invites visitors to examine our complex and ever-growing entanglement with plastic. Featuring site-specific works by five artists – Xavi Aguirre, Simon Anton, Ang Li, Norman Teague, and Lauren Yeager – “Everlasting Plastics” explores how this once-celebrated material now shapes, distorts, and threatens our environments and economies. Visit spacescle.org for more information.

COMMUNITY

PROTECT YOUR SNAP EBT BENEFITS by downloading the ConnectEBT app, which allows you to lock and unlock your card with one tap and to change your PIN whenever you need to. Cuyahoga Job and Family Services recommends locking your card when it’s not in use and changing your PIN regularly, for added security. For more information, including what to do if you think your benefits have been stolen, please visit https://bit.ly/SNAPCardTips. 

NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP CLEVELAND is a 16-week training program for emerging and established community leaders that helps participants build confidence, sharpen skills, and connect across neighborhoods. We are now accepting applications for our 42nd class, which will take place on Thursday evenings, in person and virtually, from January to June 2026. The application is open to anyone passionate about community change. For more information, contact trevelle@neighborhoodleadership.org or 216-812-8700.

ELECTION

EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING: There’s still time to vote early at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections (1803 Superior Ave). Early voting will be open from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm from Wednesday, October 29 to Friday, October 31; from 8 am to 4 pm on Saturday, November 1; and from 1 pm to 5 pm on Sunday, November 2. A valid photo ID is required to vote.

THE GENERAL ELECTION will be held on Tuesday, November 4. Polls are open from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm. A valid photo ID is required. To confirm your polling location or to view a sample ballot, visit the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections website at boe.cuyahogacounty.gov.

EDUCATION

MAY DUGAN’S EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTER offers adult learners GED test preparation and English for Speakers of Other Languages programs. Each year, our programs welcome 250 individuals of all skill levels and educational backgrounds. Our educators create individualized lesson plans with each student. Students work at their open pace, one-on-one with one of our classroom instructors. Contact us at 216-672-9014 or at jcopenhaver@maydugancenter.org.

NATIONAL STEM DAY: Join Cleveland’s Department of Public Utilities and its community partners as we inspire 5th-8th grade students with a day of hands-on learning and career exploration in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics on Saturday, November 8 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Carl B. Stokes Public Utilities Building (1201 Lakeside Ave). Doors open at 9:30 am. Limited parking. Registration is strongly encouraged. For more information, call 216-664-3173.

0 TO 3: READ TO ME! Literacy begins at birth and every parent can learn and use simple, researched-based techniques to build language and literacy skills right from the start. Check out the Cleveland Public Library’s new collection of programs designed especially for children from birth to age 3 (36 months) and their parents or other adult family members. Cpl.org/readtome. Questions? Call 216-623-7114, or join us for one of our upcoming playdates at our Lorain Branch (8216 Lorain Ave.): Saturdays, November 8 and November 22 from 11 am to 11:45 am or Tuesday, November 25 from 4:30 pm to 5:15 pm. This program is made possible with a grant from the Bruening Foundation.

EVENTS

THE DAY OF THE DEAD or Día de Muertos Festival will take place in Cleveland’s Detroit Shoreway neighborhood on Saturday, November 1. Día de Muertos is a cultural tradition in Mexico and many other Latin American countries to honor deceased loved ones. The event is free and family friendly and begins at 11 am, but the main programming kicks off at 3:30 pm with a community procession of “Skulls & Skeletons” along Detroit Ave. starting at Cleveland Public Theatre, 6415 Detroit Ave. The festivities will continue through 10 pm with live music and performance, Latin food, and visual art exhibits.

WINTERLAND (formerly Winterfest), Downtown Cleveland’s annual holiday celebration, runs from 10 am to 8 pm on Saturday, November 29 in and around Public Square. The tree lighting ceremony begins at 5:30 pm, followed by a fireworks display at 6 pm. Both are free and open to the public.

FOOD

THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF NORTHEAST OHIO will be participating in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child and Adult Food Care program which provides free meals. The meals will be available on school days from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club at Joseph Gallagher School, 6601 Franklin Boulevard.

HEALTH

FREE COMMUNITY WELLNESS CLINIC AND HEALTH TALKS: Join Cleveland Clinic staff at this free health event in the Community Room at CentroVilla25 (3140 W. 25th St.) on Tuesday, November 18 from  5:30 pm to 7 pm. Health topics include: Reducing Late-Stage Cancer, and Reiki & Meditation. Contact Janice: gonzalj5@ccf.org.

FREE DENTAL AND MEDICAL CLINIC: MedWish MedWorks will hold a free two-day dental and medical clinic on Friday, November 21 and Saturday, November 22 at the Huntington Convention Center (300 Lakeside Ave E). Services provided include dental screenings, cleanings, extractions, fillings, and temporary partials for adults and children. General and women’s health. Doors open at 7 am, walk-ins only. You do not need to provide a name, ID, or other identifying details like income or insurance. Translation services are available. Need help now? If you are in need of no-cost/low-cost health care, you do NOT need to wait for a MedWish Medworks clinic. Please call 216-692-1685 ext. 205, or email the team at NavTeam@medwish.org. We can discuss your situation and options and help you find the care you need to live a healthier life.

FREE PrEP: PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a once-daily pill for HIV-negative people that offers protection against HIV. A new Ohio program makes PrEP free for most Ohioans. To qualify, you must: have a negative HIV status, live in Ohio, and make less than $72,900 annually. The program pays for: office and medical co-pays, lab work co-pays (for HIV/STI testing and routine blood work), prescription co-pays not covered by other programs, and medical services for people who are not eligible for insurance. Visit ohiv.org/free-prep to get started.

“INHALE” RESEARCH PROJECT: Do you have a child with asthma? Join the INHALE (Improving Neighborhoods for Healthy Air and Living Environments) research project to help make your home healthier and help us gather data to help others. After you sign up, our team members from Case Western Reserve University and Environmental Health Watch will visit your home twice to collect important data and install air cleaners and monitors. During the first visit, the team will collect dust samples using a vacuum cleaner, and will install an air cleaner and air quality monitor in your home. A member of the team will talk to you and your child about your child’s asthma and what in your home could be making their asthma worse. For participating in this study, you will receive an air cleaner, vacuum, mattress and pillow covers. If your home needs an intervention, then you will receive the interventions (not more than $1000/unit). You will also receive a $100 gift card for participating. You will receive $50 after the first visit and $50 after the second visit. For more information, please reach out to Dr. Bridget Hegarty (beh53@case.edu).

HOUSING

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.

RECREATION

CHESS CLUB: Come join us for Saturday afternoon chess each month at the Lorain Branch of the Cleveland Public Library (8216 Lorain Ave) from 3 pm to 5 pm. Play a casual game or focus on improving your game. All ages and ability levels are welcome. Chess sets will be provided. We will meet on November 1, 15, and 29, as well as on December 13 and 27. Questions? Call 216-623-7011.

FREE ADMISSION AT THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM: Every Saturday and Sunday, residents of the City of Cleveland, East Cleveland, Brooklyn, Euclid, Garfield Heights, Maple Heights, and Warrensville Heights can receive FREE admission to the newly renovated Cleveland Museum of Natural History, thanks to the generous support of the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Foundation. To receive free admission, reserve tickets on our website and present proof of residency at the Welcome Desk on the day of your visit. Proof of residency should include an address in one of the eligible cities and can be any of the following: a current Ohio driver’s license or state ID, a utility bill or bank statement, a medical insurance statement, a lease agreement or mortgage statement, or a paystub or W2. (Mandel Community Days give you access to everything covered by a general admission ticket.) To learn more or to reserve your tickets, visit https://www.cmnh.org/visit/mandel-days.

FREE MONDAYS AT THE ZOO: Every Monday, the zoo is FREE for residents of Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township. To confirm your residency, bring your driver’s license or state ID or a current utility bill with your Cuyahoga Cty. or Hinckley Twp. address along with a photo ID.

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. 

VOLUNTEERING

THE KIDS’ BOOK BANK, a local nonprofit that gives high-quality, gently used children’s books to organizations of all sizes that distribute them to children and families in need, has a variety of volunteer opportunities available. Help us sort, process and package books in our new westside warehouse (13913 W Parkway Rd.), host a book drive in your community, assist families in choosing free books to take home at various events, and more. Visit kidsbookbank.org for more info or contact us at volunteer@kidsbookbank.org or 216-417-1803.

SNOW HEROES: Be a snow hero this winter! Volunteer to shovel snow for older adults and people with disabilities in Cleveland. Help make sidewalks safer for all and build a stronger, more-connected community – one snowstorm at a time. After signing up, volunteers will be matched with a resident and will then shovel their sidewalk, stairs and ramps in less than 48 hours of any snowfall of 3 inches or more. Volunteers must provide their own shovels or snowblowers. Sign up today at clevelandohio.gov/aging.