News You Can Use (And Where To Find It)

More re: Human Trafficking
Raising Awareness  To learn more about this issue & network with local experts in law enforcement, our health systems, advocacy & victim service organizations, consider attending the 2019 Annual Luncheon: CLE Unites to End Human Trafficking, Thursday, Sept 26th at Windows on the River. The Keynote Speaker will be Kendis Paris, Exec. Director & Co-Founder of Truckers Against Trafficking, (https://truckersagainsttrafficking.org/)   Go here https://www.collabtoendht.org/ & scroll down the page for additional detail & to register your attendance.

> From the Ohio Dept of Education (ODE): It’s important for parents and caregivers to understand and spot warning signs for teen sex trafficking. Keep children safe by explaining the warning signs and the manipulative ways traffickers use to recruit victims. Go here to learn more about having that conversation: https://tinyurl.com/ht-warningsigns .

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS:  
O  The Parma Heights PACT (Police & Community Together) Youth Group:
      >>  With the start of school, the group’s regular meeting schedule – 1st & 3rd Tuesday of every month - will resume in September. If you have a son/daughter between the ages of 12 – 17 who you think may be interested stop by & discuss the program w/our police officer facilitators. While there, ask to purchase a PACT t-shirt. Proceeds are used to help defray programming cost.
      >>  For announcements & detailed information visit the PACT Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/parmaheights.police; email: pactunit@gmail.com; ph: 440.884.1235.

O  From Parma City Schools:
       >>  If you haven’t lately, give the district’s redesigned web site a visit: www.parmacityschools.org There’s a lot of information but it’s organization is much improved & things are easy to find.
      >>  The superintendent will be hosting the first of a number of Strategic Consolidation meetings on Tuesday, Sept 3rd, beginning at 6:30 pm at Green Valley Elem. (on Pleasant Valley across from Normandy H.S.). Subsequent meetings scheduled for September include:  6:30 pm on Monday, Sept 16th at Pleasant Valley Elem. and 6:30 pm on Monday, Sept 30th at Thoreau Park Elem.
      >>  Mark your calendars & plan on attending the first of four Town Hall meetings on Tuesday, October 8th, beginning at 6:30 pm at the Seven Hills Recreation Center, 7777 Summit Dr.
      >>  Information re. schedules & topics for both the Town Hall & Consolidation meetings can be found here: www.parmacityschools.org/superintendent 

O  From PCSD Connects (formally CBS Connects):
      >>  Visit the completely redesigned web site of this growing workplace development initiative of the Parma City Schools….. http://pcsdconnects.org/ . Support and resources are available to parents looking for college admission/scholarship assistance for their child, students struggling w/making career choices or looking for shadowing/mentoring opportunities and for business owners interested and/or willing to host/employ a student or otherwise partner up w/a school.

O  From the Parma Area Family Collab:
      >>  Collab staff is beginning to settle into their new home at Parkview Elementary, 5210 Loya Pkwy. (immediately south of Parma Sr. H.S. on W.54th St.), ph: 440.887.4873.  Keep in mind that since they share the building w/the Catholic Charities Early Learning Head Start program, access and space for on-site meetings, events/activities is somewhat restricted.
      >>  Regarding the annual distribution of backpacks/school supplies….upwards of 1,100 stuffed backpacks were distributed to families at community events over past the month or so. It’s an effort that would be impossible without the participation of a whole cohort of volunteers and generous donations made by our local organizations, businesses & the faith-based community. A special THANK YOU to you all!       
      >>  The next Mobile Food Pantry is scheduled for Thursday September 12th. AT this point it’s scheduled to take place outdoors at Parkview. For those interested in volunteering, for set-up be there around 8:30 am & for distribution about 2:30 or so.
     >>  Be sure to check their web site (https://familycollaborative.com) for any additional and/or changes in programs/ services, etc.

O   From the Parma Area MyCom Neighborhood (PAMN):
       >>  Nomination are now open for the 11th Annual MyCom Youth Voice Awards ceremony taking place this year on Thursday, October 10, 2019 from 5:00 to 7:30 pm at the Intercontinental Hotel. Each year, the MyCom Youth Voice Awards gives members of our community an opportunity to nominate individuals and organizations who have made a significant, positive impact for children and young adults. Nominations are accepted in the categories of Community Service, Civic Involvement, Arts, Advocacy, Youth Engagement & Youth Employment. Note that the Parma area has had winners in various categories for at least the last five years. Go here to learn more and to submit your nomination/s: https://tinyurl.com/MyCom-Youth-Award  Note that the deadline for nominations is Tuesday September 10th.
      >>  One of a number of objectives of the Parma Area MyCom Neighborhood (PAMN) is to identify active youth groups from which a Youth Council may be created. Its charge would be to provide feedback to, participate in and advise the PAMN Steering Committee w/respect to issues. concerns, and gaps in youth-programming & services. If you facilitate a youth group in Parma or Parma Hts., or would just like to learn more about this local initiative, please contact Jen Martinez, PAMN Coordinator at jmartinez@cuyahogalibrary.org, or  ph: 216.749.7413.

O  If you’re a youth group worker, volunteer, facilitator, etc., please share w/your group & save the date – Saturday, Sept. 28th from 10 am – 2 pm for the Youth Advocacy and Leadership Coalition’s Annual Teen Summit at Cleveland State University, Beckman Hall! FREE workshops by teens and for teens! Email pianka.1@osu.edu for more information.

O  If you have a family member or your client base includes folks hearing or vision impaired, consider a visit to the OCALI based (www.ocali.org) Outreach Center for Deafness & Blindness at: https://tinyurl.com/Hearing-Vision-Outreach. Learn simple strategies designed to build confidence and comfort for anyone communicating or connecting with people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or visually impaired.

O  From the County Library System
      >>  Library Card Sign-Up Month – Gr K – 12.  Get ready for school with your own CCPL library card!  #LibraryCardSignUp.  Students are eligible for one-time fine forgiveness from September 1 – 30.  Snap and post a pic of your library card with #GetLibraryCarded for the chance to win $100!  www.cuyahogalibrary.org/lcsm
      >>  Go here to get “LIBBY”, CCPL’s FREE app to stream & download books, movies TV shows, magazines, audiobooks & comic books to your phone or tablet… https://www.cuyahogalibrary.org/Services/Library-Apps.aspx  
      >>  If “Libby” doesn’t work for you perhaps their catalog of games, puzzles  & toys might be of interest. Click on the “Borrow” tab from any CCPL web page & select “Toys & Bookable Kits” or use the Search function to display the appropriate catalog.
      >>  And for parents/caregivers & children ages birth to 2, boost your baby’s brain through play with this 5 week “Baby Club” program. Go here for details & to find a branch near you.https://www.cuyahogalibrary.org/LP/Baby-Club.aspx
     
O  From the Parma-Snow Library:
      >>  Go here: https://tinyurl.com/CCPL-Parma-SnowCalendar to display their event calendar for the current month.
     
O  From the Parma Branch Library (Powers Blvd.):
      >>  Go here: https://tinyurl.com/CCPL-ParmaCalendar to display their event calendar for the current month.
      >>  This Branch will again be our local “Homework Center” w/trained tutors helping students in grades K – 8 improve grades & comprehension in the following subjects: language arts, math, reading, science & social studies. Two after-school, 75 minute sessions will be offered Monday thru Thursday beginning Wednesday, Sept 18th. Download a registration form here: https://tinyurl.com/Homework-Ctr-Reg. Learn more and get to know the  Homework Center staff at an open house on Tuesday, Sept 17th from 4:30 to 6:30. The whole family is welcome. Light refreshments will be served. 
      >>  ADHD: A Parents Survival Guide - For Adults; Sept 18th from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm, in Conf. Rm A, teachers from Huntington Learning Center will offer strategies for motivating students and provide recommendations to help these students succeed during homework time and in school.
      >>  Grandparents Festival 2019 – Saturday, September 7th from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Celebrate grandparents with family activities and crafts, Cleveland Orchestra Instrument Discovery Zone, mural project, Herps Alive reptiles, community and health resources for seniors and children, family portraits, light refreshments and door prizes. Visit https://tinyurl.com/GrandFestival
      >>  Adapted Storytime — Ages 3 – 5 years with caregiver.  Saturday, September 14th at 11:00 a.m. Children with varying learning styles and abilities will learn together in a safe, supportive environment where respect and appreciation for differences is encouragedRegister at:  http://attend.cuyahogalibrary.org/event/2667487
      >>  Master Builders – Grades 3 – 5.  Saturday, September 14th at 2:00 p.m. Are you a LEGOTM fanatic? Want to tackle building challenges with friends? Bring your imagination and we'll supply the bricks. Register at:  http://attend.cuyahogalibrary.org/event/2483026

O  From the Parma Hts. Branch Library:
      >>  Go here: https://tinyurl.com/CCPL-ParmaHtsCalendar  to display their event calendar for the current month.