News You Can Use (And Where To Find It)

O  From Cleveland Rape Crisis Center:
      >> It’s now offering their extensive list of prevention/education programs to schools, student groups & community members via CRCC Virtual Classrooms.
Platforms include, but are not limited to: Zoom, MS Teams, Google Hangouts, Google Meet, Go To, etc. Go here https://clevelandrapecrisis.org/prevention-education/request-an-education-program/  to view programs offered & to complete the online presentation request form.
      >> For assistance and/or to make an appointment for any service, contact the hotline 24/7: Call or Text (216) 619-6192 or (440) 423-2020, or chat online at www.clevelandrapecrisis.org/chat

O  From All Faiths Pantry….Considered an essential service, AFP continues to respond to the increased need for home delivery of groceries to low-income seniors and those with mobility challenges. Requests for services have increased significantly and additional volunteers are needed to expedite deliveries. Call 216.496.4329 or go to  www.allfaithspantry.org to learn more about the program & how you can help.

O  From OCALI (Ohio Center for Autism & Low Incidence - https://www.ocali.org/ ):
      >> 
For parents as well as professionals, visit their web site where you’ll find a whole host of resources addressing issues related to working w/youth on the autistic spectrum and for folks who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired.
      >>  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED….
Click on the “#HearToHelp” link on the home page, scroll down to the “Connected” section & click on the “Inspiring Change Podcast”.  Here you can listen to any one of, currently, 10 episodes of folks sharing their experiences during this lockdown period. Number 10, in particular, was fascinating to listen to.

O  From Ibn Sina Free Clinic (6055 W. 130th St, Parma; http://clevelandibnsina.com )....If you’re not already aware, ISFC is now set up to handle virtual appointments “…so patients can continue to see their physicians, get medications refilled, obtain referrals & get any sort of pharmacist assistance they may need.” To schedule an appointment call 440.644.0511.


O  From Parma Council of PTA’s….Despite the significant challenges brought about by the COVID-19 virus the PTA w/much effort managed to personally present 98 students, 107 scholarships with a value of close to $90,000. Watch for the release of a video coming soon that celebrates the recipients. In addition, they also played a significant role in planning/coordinating the graduate parades for graduating seniors at our 3 high schools. Should you be looking to join a creative, active organization, the PTA is certainly one to consider.

O  From University Hospital: For employers & businesses
in the process of re-opening, make sure its done safely by downloading the free UH Healthy Restart Playbook.  Click here to learn more: https://tinyurl.com/UH-Restart-Playbook

O  From Parma City Schools….
      >>  Saturday, August 22nd
is currently the date set for what has now become the Annual PCSD Opening Kick-off to take place at Byers Field from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Find details at www.parmacityschools.org/kickoff
      >>  Progress is being made in developing the “ACES Center for Education” for children w/Autism. Go here to read all about it: https://www.cleveland.com/community/2020/05/parma-city-schools-seeking-bids-for-new-aces-center-for-education.html
      >>  Go
here for up-to-date information related to COVID-19 & school district programming to include Distance Learning Assignments, Emergency Food Distribution, Class of 2020 Info & Upcoming Events, links to Monday Monitor E-newsletter, etc.
     
O  DID YOU HEAR ?  The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum JOY RIDE VAN
will make an appearance at UH/Parma Medical Center on Thursday, May 28th starting at 11:00 am to 1:30 pm.

O  From Islamic Center of Cleveland (6055 W. 130th St., Parma)….Has reinstituted its fresh produce food pantry for low income families. It takes place the 1st  Saturday of each month from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. The next one is coming up on Saturday, June 6th. Federal income guidelines apply. Please bring ID & your own bags/carts. If you would like to help as a volunteer, call Sr. Ameena at 440.552.2190.

O  From Pathway Caring for Children….PCFC now offers counseling & support services through telephone & video,
accessible through your smartphone, tablet , laptop or computer. These services, which include webinars & online, ZOOM-based support programming for families are  open to any child/parent, regardless of agency or if the child is in foster care or not. Programs change frequently so visit their web site often. Click here https://www.pathwaycfc.org/ for details.

O  From Southwest Community Based Services:
      >>  (Formally known as the Parma Area Family Collaborative}
continues to work withcommunity partners to provide resources-food, school supplies, hygiene, etc. Call 44.887.4873 w/questions & check out the attached flyer for more detail.
     >>  A ZOOM-based Kinship support group will be starting up on June 1st for those providing care for children that are not their own.  Contact Kristi Forsyth, Program Mgr 440-842-7040, or email at kforsyth@universitysettlement.net to register or for more info.
 
O  From MyCom & Starting Point….Go here https://mycomcle.org/covid-19-community-resources-stay-healthy-engaged-safe/ for an exhaustive list of “….Covid-19 Community Resources to help you and your family get through this unprecedented time.”  A lot of new stuff here – worth a visit.

O  From the Education Service Center of NE Ohio…. The Student Wellness Dept, has developed a web page focusing on resources related to impacts of the virus on the mental well-being of students, families and staff.  Check it out by going here: http://www.escneo.org/COVID-19.aspx. It’s well worth a visit.

O  An update from the County Library
:
      >>  Get a Library Card (Previously only patrons 18 years of age or older could apply for an online card. Now patrons of all ages can apply online for a card.) :  https://www.cuyahogalibrary.org/Borrow/Get-a-Library-Card.aspx
      >>  Cuyahoga County Public Library will begin offering drive-through window and curbside service at 13 locations beginning June 1. Visit www.cuyahogalibrary.org for details.
      >>  While there get on their mailing list to receive periodic notices of upcoming events & services. In the current issue I learned that a) w/my library card I have free access to all the latest Consumer Reports and b) just recently announced is the Kindergarten Club video series, 12 videos designed to help parents prepare their children for  a successful transition to kindergarten from home.
      >>  Given your library card allows access to a “….robust digital collection of eBooks , eAudiobooks , movies , music and online learning platforms. Our What to Read LIVE program on Facebook offers rapid-fire reading recommendations from our expert librarians every Wednesday from 8:00 - 9:00 PM. Our Ask Us Online service is available on the Library’s website to provide you with: Library account help, Digital collection support,  Answers to your reference questions & Live homework help via Tutor.com ….”

Gene Lovasy

Community Volunteer/Youth Advocate

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Volume 12, Issue 6, Posted 8:56 AM, 06.01.2020