News You Can Use (And Where To Find t)

RAISING AWARENESS:  Human Trafficking/Abuse:

O  From The Greater Cleveland Coordinated Response to Human Trafficking (GCCR2HT):
      >>  Know who to call….If you believe someone may be a victim of human trafficking call the Cuyahoga County Regional Human Trafficking Task Force Hotline at 216-443-6085 or 911 in the case of an emergency.
      >>  Learn more about how the issue of Human Trafficking is being effectively addressed locally. Follow the Collab on Facebook  To stay current in regards to HT-related events and activities sign up for their E-newsletter 
     
      >>  Read some recent Human Trafficking-related awareness posts. They’re important, relatively short and worth the read.
      >>  If you haven’t yet, consider joining one of these upcoming hour-long, “Human Trafficking 101” classes:  Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 4:00 pm, and Thursday, Oct. 21 at 7:00 pm.

O Coming up in September -  Mark your calendar….For the International Human Trafficking & Social Justice Virtual Conference presented by the University of Toledo, Sept 22 – 24, 2021. Details and FAQ’s can be found by clicking: https://www.traffickingconference.com/

O  From The Polaris Project...”What We Know About How Child Sex Trafficking Happens”.
             
LOCAL EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES:
O  From Education Service Center of NE Ohio... to help mitigate your child’s back-to-school uncertainty & set him/her on the road to success.

O  From MetroHealth:
      >>  MetroHealth has a wealth of resources to help anyone who may need assistance with the breastfeeding process or who want to support breastfeeding parents. Did you know any amount of breastfeeding can reduce a baby's risk of SIDS? Learn more about these and other resources.
      >>  Mammograms in 15 minutes or less will be available via their 3D Mammography Coach at Discount Drug Mart locations in Avon Lake, Brunswick Hills, Highland Heights, Independence, Lakewood, Lorain, Mentor and Strongsville in August and September. Registration is required. Learn more about this Mobile 3D Mammography Coach service.

O  From Parma Area Chamber of Commerce….Click below to get details of this upcoming community event:
      >>  Parma City Schools Foundation Clambake – September 17, 2021
      >>  SAVE THE DATE - The Pride Award Celebration, 6:30pm - 8:00pm: Dinner and Awards Presentation, Wednesday September 29th , Holiday Inn Independence, 6001 Rockside Rd.,  Independence, Ohio

O  From Bellfaire JCB – Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) Program...Check out this short PDF Booklet, designed by the Mental Health Foundation Scotland, to help start conversations that assist you and your teen understand how different people are feeling, how each individual copes best, & how you can support each other in managing some of the stresses you may all be facing. It’s a clever approach & worth a look-see. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/MHF-Scotland-Parents-Pack.pdf

O  From Ridgewood United Methodist Church...Check out their non-denomiational LOGOS Community Youth Program designed for all kids (and their families) grades K – 12. The group meets from 5:30 to 8:10 pm, the 1st & 3rd Wednesday starting in September & goes through mid-March.

O  Cleveland’s Singing Angels...This famed group of young singers will be holding in-person auditions on Wed, Sept 1st from 4:30 – 7:00 pm and Sat., Sept 4th from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm at their studio, 3600 Biddulph Ave., Suite A in Cleveland (corner of State Rd & Biddulph). A trained voice is not necessary; aspiring Angels, from 4th grade through age 16, need a pleasant voice, love of music, and commitment to discipline. Learn more here: http://singingangels.org/auditions.php

O  National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) of Greater Cleveland...A great resource for those (and/or their families) dealing w/a mental health issue of any kind.   to view a list of local community resources and for a relatively new, unique program right in our own backyard – the “BreakThru” Medical Withdrawal Management Service at SW General Hospital.

O   From Achievement Center for Children/Camp Cheerful:
      >>  Openings are still available for the fall session of PONY PALS, a unique equestrian opportunity offered to typically developing children ages 4 - 14. Our Therapeutic Horsemanship Program is also available for children with special needs. Each class is 1 hour and includes a 30-minute beginner horseback riding lesson and a 30-minute hands-on ground lesson to include topics such as safety, grooming, stable care, and more! Check out the attached flyer for more details and to register.

      >>  The “Cheers to Camp Cheerful” fundraising event is back & will be held on Saturday, Sept. 18th, from 5:30 - 8:30 pm at Camp Cheerful, located on Rt. 82 about ¼ mile east of the I-71/Royalton Rd interchange. Learn more about this special event & how you can help by visiting https://achievementcenters.org/events/cheers-to-campcheerful/

O  From Ohio Board of education:
      >>  Social Emotional Learning Resource...CET and Think TV have produced a four-part Social Emotional Learning Series in collaboration with the Department. This resource was created to share with parents and caregivers. Learn how you can help support SEL at home. Visit https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6Lk9agZRfrD3-mWQrz1XOmYFtBPVGnQN
      >>  INFOhio has licensed, high-quality, digital, teaching and learning content for the 2021-2022 school year that all Ohio PreK-12 students, their parents, and their teachers can use at school, at home, and on the go. The digital resources are freely available to Ohio’s families and educators on the INFOhio website. This service is particularly helpful if you’re homeschooling – click on the “PARENTS” graphic for a well-put-together list of FAQ’s.

O  Carpooling...If you’re having problems getting your kid/s to school, join the PCSD Area Carpool Group on FB. Click on this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/334757700282719/ 

O  From The Literacy Cooperative...If you were not aware, the Parma Area Kiwanis has teamed up w/the Cooperative to help facilitate enrollment in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for folks living in Cuyahoga County & Wickliffe. Once a child, from newborn to 4 ½, is enrolled he/she will receive each month an age–appropriate, personally addressed book in the mail until aging out at age five. There is no cost to enroll. Learn more about the work of the Cooperative, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library initiative & enroll you child now.

O  Parma Council of PTA’s (PCPTA):
      >>  Is gearing up for the start of the 2021 – 2022 school year with, among many other things, a T-Shirt, Hoodie & Tote Bag sale.
      >>  Check out their webpage for details regarding upcoming programs/events, etc. i.e.: a Candidates Night for BOE candidates, the Reflections Program, PTA’s cornerstone student art program.

O  From Parma City Schools:
    
      >>   Learn some of the details behind the just completed, very successful Summer Academy of Learning & Enrichment (SALE) program, providing math and reading interventions as well as enrichment opportunities for about 475 students in grades K – 8. Students from across the district participated in this five-week program, which was completely free to attend.
     >>  Visit www.parmacityschools.org for the most current information regarding Extended Day Care Enrollment, Orientations, Open Houses and more.

O  From Southwest Community Based Svcs (SWCBS)/University Settlement & Starting Point:
      >>  A special thank you to Volunteers of America , Ohio Savings Bank, Ridge Rd United Church of Christ, Young Professionals of Parma, and Parma Council of PTA’s for their donations of backpacks and schools supplies  So far almost 350 students have benefited. If you know a student in need of a backpack or supplies, please call SWCBS at 440.887.4873.
      >>  SWCBS has begun planning their programming for the upcoming holiday season and will be needing volunteers. Call Evy Ash at 440.887.4873  if you’re interested.

O  From Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL):
      >>  Consistent w/current CDC guidelines all CCPL branches have returned to requiring masks of all customers aged 2 and older upon entry. If a visitor does not have a mask, the Library will provide one.
     >>  All branches will be closed Sunday, September 5 & Monday, September 6, in observance of Labor Day. Branches will re-open Tuesday, September 7th.
      >>  The Parma Branch has updated its schedule w/a whole host of new programming for kids to include their popular Baby Club & Story Time sessions.
      >>  At-home COVID-19 testing kits are available via DRIVE-THOUGH ONLY at the Parma & Parma-Snow locations.
      >>  The Kids Café (in collaboration w/the Cleveland Food Bank) is now open at all 3 of our Branch locations... free after-school, grab-and-go meals are available for kids ages 18 and under, while supplies last. Branch & hours: Parma-Snow: 3:15 – 4:15; Parma: 3:30 – 4:30; Parma Hts: 3:00 – 4:00.
      >>  Computer Classes….Virtual computer classes have been scheduled for the summer months.       
     >>  Worth checking out….more than 50 virtual programs for adults on topics that include health and wellness, hobbies, and personal finance.
      >>  Learn more about the unique, hi-tech Innovation Center at the Parma-Snow Branch.
      >>  Learn how to hold a conversation in more than 70 languages. Go here; https://www.cuyahogalibrary.org/LP/Language-Learning.aspx to try out MANGO.
      >>  To receive current, detailed information about these services plus upcoming events & more, consider registering for their e-newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/CCPL-Newsletter