AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS

HOMEWORK HELP AT THE LIBRARY: 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-5:30pm, Mondays thru Thursdays. Tutoring is generally scheduled in 1-hour sessions. Contact your nearest tutoring location for availability.

MERRICK HOUSE FREE YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAM for Cleveland residents, Monday thru Friday 3:30 pm to 6 pm at 1050 Starkweather Ave. in the Tremont neighborhood for students ages 6-17.  The 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, call 216-771-5077.

TUTORING AT ONE HOPE NEO: Need extra support for your child’s learning? Come in to One Hope NEO (3202 Fulton Rd.) for personalized help every Tuesday from 3:30 pm to 5 pm. Our caring tutors provide homework help, reading support, and fun learning activities in a safe and encouraging environment. Our program will be expanding to 8th grade starting this month. Visit onehopeneo.org for more information.

ART

ECHO OPEN CALL: SPACES Gallery’s Echo Artists in Residence Program invites two artists each quarter to experiment and create on-site projects for our galleries and the greater Cleveland community. This call for proposals is open to artists and cultural producers who are 21 years and older. We accept applications from creative professionals at all stages of their careers who engage experimental practices with strong conceptual foundations. To learn more, and to apply, please visit spacesgallery.submittable.com/submit. Applications will be accepted now until February 10 at 11:59 PM. Questions may be directed to SPACES’ Curatorial Coordinator: thea@spacescle.org.

FREE MUSIC LESSONS: The Center for Arts Inspired Learning will offer FREE beginner and intermediate music lessonsto children grades 3 thru 12 at Cudell Recreation Center (1910 West Blvd) from January 5 to March 6, Tuesdays thru Thursdays. Tuesdays: violin. Wednesdays: percussion. Thursdays: guitar. Each session runs from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. To qualify, participants must live in Cleveland or attend a school within the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. Instruments are provided. For any questions about the program, please reach out to Julia Zaborszki, Community Programs Coordinator, via julia@arts-inspiredlearning.org or 216-561-5005 x21. Or sign up now at arts-inspiredlearning.org/inspiration-through-music.

FRIENDS AND FAMILY OPEN STUDIO: Art House Inc. (3119 Denison Ave.) offers a free, family-friendly workshop on the third Saturday of each month from 1 pm-3 pm. This month’s workshop, entitled “New Year Reflection Journals”, will be on Saturday, January 17, and offers the opportunity to create a journal reflecting on last year and planning for the new one. You’ll be led in a reflection activity and have many art supplies and collage materials to decorate your personal journal to take home. Gather some of your friends and family to reflect on what you want out of the new year with us! Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. Visit arthouseinc.org to sign up or call 216-398-8556 for more information.

Stop the Hate Youth Speak Out Writing Contest

“STOP THE HATE” YOUTH WRITING CONTEST: For the 18th year, the Maltz Museum is hosting the Stop the Hate Youth Speak Out Writing Contest . This gives 6-12th grade students in Northeast Ohio a platform to share their stories and inspire positive change in their schools and communities, all while competing for the chance to win recognition, awards, and scholarships. Each year 2,000+ students enter the writing contest in two categories (Personal Essay and Poetry), and with the help of 400 volunteer readers, 30 finalists are named. Since the contest started, over 50,000 students across Northeast Ohio have participated and $1.7 million has been awarded to students and schools. Essay submissions are due by January 15 and poetry submissions are due by January 22. For more information, visit maltzmuseum.org/stop-the-hate/students.

TRES REYES FAMILY WORKSHOP: Keep the holiday celebrations going into the new year with a creative afternoon inspired by Día de los Reyes (Three Kings Day) traditions for all ages to enjoy. Julia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center (2800 Archwood Ave.), Saturday, January 3 from 2 pm to 4 pm.

STREET STUDIO: This month’s Street Studio will be Saturday, January 17  at 1 pm at St. Paul’s Community Church, 4427 Franklin Ave. All are welcome to share music, poetry, spoken word or to listen in support. Piano, drums, guitar, and microphones provided – as well as coffee and snacks. For more information contact Ian Heisey at heisey2140@sbcglobal.net or Trennell Garrison at sapphire1497@yahoo.com.

CELEBRATIONS

ART MUSEUM’S MLK DAY CELEBRATION: Join us on Monday, January 19, any time between 10 am and 4 pm, when the Cleveland Museum of Art (11150 East Blvd.) opens its doors for a free daylong celebration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Explore how the moving passages of Dr. King’s writings and speeches shed light on the museum’s collection and create a work of art inspired by his legacy. Visit clevelandart.org for more information.

CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA MLK CONCERT: The Cleveland Orchestra’s 46th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Concert will feature soprano Latonia Moore and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Chorus, an all-volunteer community chorus. The program takes the audience on a journey through Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s evolution as a prominent servant leader. Although the concert is free, tickets are required and available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning on Saturday, January 3, at 10 am. The concert will take place on Sunday, January 11 at 7 pm at Mandel Concert Hall (11001 Euclid Ave). Get your tickets either at the Severance Hall box office, by phone at 216-231-1111, or online at clevelandorchestra.com. There is a limit of four tickets per household.

SEVERANCE HALL MLK OPEN HOUSE: Come in from the cold and immerse your family in music, art, and community at Severance Music Center on Monday, January 19. Join us for a festive and inspiring celebration of Dr. King’s legacy, featuring a full day of diverse, dynamic performances and interactive activities suitable for all ages. Visit clevelandorchestra.com for more information. FREE ADMISSION to a variety of local museums is available Monday, January 19, in honor of MLK Day during normal visiting hours. This includes the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (rockhall.com), the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (cmnh.org), and the Maltz Museum (maltzmuseum.org). The Cleveland Museum of Art (clevelandart.org), which normally has free admission, will offer a variety of special programming in honor of MLK Day.

TRI-C MARTIN LUTHER KING CELEBRATION: Cuyahoga Community College is proud to present its 49th annual celebration of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Sunday, January 18 at 2:30 pm at the KeyBank State Theater at Playhouse Square. Featuring a musical performance by The Clark Sisters, the event will honor Tri-C scholarship winners who embody the work of Dr. King and include impassioned student presentations and inspiring performances by students from the Tri-C Creative Arts Academy. To get your free tickets or to watch a free livestream of the event, please visit tri-c.edu/MLK2026.

COMMUNITY

FREE CHORE SERVICE: During the winter months, staff members from Cleveland’s Department of Aging are available to do limited indoor chores for Cleveland seniors and adults with disabilities. The appointments are one hour in duration. There is no charge for this service, but we ask that you provide your own cleaning supplies and equipment. Some tasks we can help with: sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming, cleaning the stove or refrigerator, dusting, and cleaning the bathroom. Some things we don’t do: fold laundry, change bed linens or clean bedrooms, painting, or electrical work. This is not an exhaustive list. To learn more, call 216-664-3998 or 216-664-4694

JULIA DE BURGOS BOOK CLUB: Join the Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center for bi-monthly, in-person book discussions for adults – presented in partnership with Literary Cleveland and led by Nahomy Ortiz of @NahomysLibrary – at 2804 Archwood Ave. For our first meeting this year, we will discuss Ander and Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa on Wednesday, January 28 at 6:30 pm. In our second meeting, we will discuss My Chicano Heart by Daniel A. Olivas on Wednesday, March 25th at 6:30 pm. Visit juliadeburgos.org/calendar to register. Questions? Contact us at info@juliadeburgos.org or (216) 894-5664.

COMMUNITY GUIDE

THE PLAIN PRESS will publish its annual Community Guide in the March issue. The guide offers free listings of the names and phone numbers of nonprofit organizations and government agencies serving the neighborhoods that the Plain Press covers. If you know of a nonprofit organization that has changed its name, changed its phone number, or was not listed in last year’s guide, please email us at plainpress@gmail.com, or leave a phone message at 216-621-3060.

EMPLOYMENT

EL BARRIO WORKFORCE PROGRAM: The Centers’ free workforce programs are open to anyone 18+ and include short-term career training, specialized industry certifications, professional certificates, and job placement services. Our vast network of corporate partners teach in our classrooms, provide career assistance, and hire from our program. Some of our trainings are also available in Spanish. To get started, call us at 216-325-WORK (9675) or visit thecentersohio.org/workforce-development.

JOB SEEKERS APPLICATIONS CLINICS: Join Jumpstart Inc. at the Lorain Branch of the Cleveland Public Library (8216 Lorain Ave.) for a series of free workshops designed to help jumpstart your job search. Thursdays from 10 am to 11 am. Join us for “Resume Revival” on January 8, “Social Media Basics” on February 5, and “Canva for Careers” on March 5. Also, stop by after class for on-the-spot support. We’re here to help with resumes, cover letters, job searches, and more – available 11 am-5 pm on class days.

HEALTH

JANUARY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH: If you suspect someone is experiencing a mental health crisis or is contemplating suicide, consider reaching out to them with empathy and understanding. Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Dial 911 if it is an emergency. The Jason Foundation is another available resource. The Jason Foundation is dedicated to the awareness and prevention of suicide through educational programs and provides tools and resources to identify and assist those who are at risk. For more information on helping your friends and loved ones who are suffering with a mental illness, please visit jasonfoundation.com.

SUPPORTING AND EMPOWERING FAMILIES, a program from Cleveland’s Department of Public Health, consists of weekly family sessions designed to help family members and friends of individuals living with addiction. Join us every Wednesday in January from 4 pm to 5 pm at the Lorain Branch of the Cleveland Public Library (8216 Lorain Ave.) to learn about how to help loved ones experiencing addiction, how to use self care and stress reduction techniques to take care of yourself, and how to access resources to make your lives easier. Call 216-664-3891 to register today! (Participants must register to be included in the giveaway.)

HOMELESS

IF YOU NEED SHELTER, contact  Cuyahoga County’s Coordinated Intake office at 216-674-6700. Hours of operation: 8 am – 6 pm, Monday – Friday. After hours and weekends, please call 2-1-1. If it is after hours, women in need of assistance may also go directly to Norma Herr Women’s Center, 2227 Payne Ave., and staff will assist you in contacting Coordinated Intake the following day.

UTILITY ASSISTANCE

IMPORTANT HEAP UPDATE: Step Forward, our county’s community action agency, is now the only provider of HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) in Cuyahoga County. Phone number: 216-480-4327. Locations: 1801 Superior Ave. and 2203 Superior Ave. Step Forward welcomes walk-ins Monday through Thursday from 8 am to 12 pm. For more information, visit stepforwardtoday.org.

HEAP WINTER CRISIS PROGRAM: Is your power disconnected or about to be shut off? The Home Energy Assistance Program’s Winter Crisis Program, administered by Step Forward, may be able to help! This program provides a one-time benefit per heating season to help eligible Cuyahoga County households restore or maintain heat and electric service during the winter months. Households at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (about $52,500 for a family of four) may qualify if their service has been disconnected, they have received a disconnection notice, or they have 25% or less bulk fuel remaining in their tank. Assistance is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is designed to help households stay safe and warm throughout the winter season. Call our 24/7 hotline at 216-480-HEAP (4327) to schedule an appointment, or visit stepforwardtoday.org/winter-crisis-program to learn more. The program runs from November 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026.

VOLUNTEERS

LEAD SAFE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Help protect your neighbors from lead poisoning and raise awareness about the importance of lead-safe housing by volunteering with CLASH (Cleveland Lead Advocates for Safe Housing). Volunteer opportunities include canvassing and dropping off literature at CMHA properties where lead risk assessments are scheduled, tabling at community events, and doing online public records research. Visit clashcle.org/volunteer to learn more.

TAX SITE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: The Cuyahoga EITC Coalition is looking for volunteer tax preparers and intake specialists for the 2025-2026 tax season to help hardworking taxpayers file their taxes for free. Just one hour of your time can provide up to $6,900 in EITC refunds and save someone hundreds of dollars in paid preparation fees. We provide free training, and no previous tax experience is required. To learn more or to sign up to become a volunteer, visit refundohio.org/volunteer.