News You Can Use (And Where To Find It)

RAISING AWARENESS:  Human Trafficking/Abuse:
 O  From The Greater Cleveland Coordinated Response to Human Trafficking (GCCR2HT):
      >>  Some possible Indicators of Sex Trafficking & Recruitment:  > Any minor engaged in sex acts for anything of value;  > Individual of any age or gender appears to be watching and approaching youth, systematically trying to befriend strangers, promoting ‘modeling agencies’, traveling crew employment, talent search websites or other employment;   > Crimes (theft, drug crimes) appear to be committed under the watch and for the benefit of someone else.
      >>  Some possible Indicators of Labor Trafficking:  > Individuals selling items to or begging;   > Signs of physical abuse, force, restraint, sleep deprivation, untreated injuries or illness. Groups of traveling sales or work crews sleeping in vehicles in parking lot;    > Lack of knowledge of whereabouts or destination, numerous inconsistencies in their story.
      >> 
Go here to view/download related awareness material.
      >>  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 here and visit the Collab’s website where clicking on the PARTNERS tab will display the more than 60 organizations working together to address this issue. To stay current in regards to HT-related events and activities sign up for their E-newsletter here.
      >>  If you haven’t yet,  consider joining a “Human Trafficking 101” class. The next one is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 21 at 7:00 pm.  Go here to register for this free, virtual session.

O  From Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (https://clevelandrapecrisis.org/
) ...Services for Survivors During COVID-19, i.e.:  counseling, victim assistance and case management are available by telehealth and teleservices, accessible by smartphone, computer or phone.  Learn more about accessing services remotely. For an immediate response call (216) 619-6192 or (440) 423-2020 24/7, or request an appointment online.
   
LOCAL EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES:
O  From OCALI...Their InspirED Video Gallery has recently been reorganized by audience – for families and professionals – and by topic, including accessibility, autism, early childhood, family and community, PBIS, remote learning, transition, universal design for learning, wellbeing and self-care, along with assessment and data for professionals.

O  From Education Service Center of NE Ohio - Student Wellness Dept:
      >>  Ohio CareLine: 1-800-720-9619 — The Ohio CareLine is a toll-free emotional support call service created by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and administered in community settings. Behavioral health professionals staff the CareLine 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They offer confidential support in times of personal or family crisis when individuals may be struggling to cope with challenges in their lives. When callers need additional services, staff will provide assistance and connect callers to local providers.
 
O  From Scholarship Guidance... Go here https://scholarshipguidance.com/  to check out scholarships currently available for the period September through November and to sign up for their weekly Scholarship Newsletter.

O  From Achievement Center for Children/Camp Cheerful...Looking for a unique, feel-good volunteer opportunity? Consider Camp Cheerful’s Equine Assisted Services/therapeutic horsemanship program. Click here for details.

O  From Mount Alverna Village...If you were not aware M.A.V.  provides all of their residents w/calendars every year. Each person receives a wall calendar to hang on their bulletin board & some even request planning calendars for their personal use. So, if you have any extra, perhaps received from various charities you support or you stop at the store to buy one, consider passing them along. The residents would be incredibly grateful – 6765 State Rd., Parma, OH 44134; Ph: 440,843.7800; website: www.mountalvernavillage.org.

O  From Ohio Department of Insurance:
      >>  It seems that there’s close to $81 M in unclaimed life insurance proceeds out there. The Life Insurance Policy Locator identifies the existence of any life insurance policies or annuity contracts that were issued on the life of, or owned by, a deceased individual to determine if that individual's beneficiaries, executors, or legal representatives may be due beneficiary proceeds. This might be worth giving it a try.
      >>  Interactive Flood Insurance Quiz...Developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), this fun and interactive "What the Flood!" quiz educates consumers about flood risks and the importance of flood insurance. This definitely is worth a try.
      >>  Related to the previous item... Learn how the NFIP's new flood insurance policies rating methodology, called Risk Rating 2.0 - Equity in Action, impacts you.

O  From Journey Center for Safety & Healing (formerly the Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center)...October is  Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Go here to learn more about the organization and the series of programs and events they have scheduled related to this issue.

O  From All Faith’s Pantry (https://allfaithspantry.org/) ... Visit their website to learn how you can help them celebrate 15 years of delivering free nutritious food to our vulnerable seniors. And, if you’re willing to spare 2 hours a month they would welcome you as a DELIVERY VOLUNTEER. Call Meghan at 216-496-4329 to learn more.

O  A former Parma Dollar Bank Branch Mgr now at Strongsville is hosting an 'Ask A Banker' series the third Monday of every month from 6:00 - 6:30 via ZOOM. Anyone can hop on and ask a question about banking (checking/savings/overdrafts/loans, etc.) This is just meant to be informative and not selling. Give it a try at: https://us05web.zoom.us/j/83034921505?pwd=U2NISU9yUHNWaUpiVUkwZ0FHRFVDZz09;  Password: Dollar

O  From The Literacy Cooperative:
      >>  Do you live in Cuyahoga County & Wickliffe, and have a child from newborn to 4 1/2 years of age?  If enrolled in the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
he/she will receive an age-appropriate, personally addressed book in the mail, each month, 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 your child now.

O  From Parma Early Childhood PTA...
Their popular KIDS RESALE fundraiser is back and scheduled for Saturday, October 2nd from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Parma Sr. H.S. Cafeteria.  To buy a table and for additional details visit their website at http://www.pecpta.org/resale.htmlor FB at https://www.facebook.com/pecpta/.  They’re quickly reaching their goal of 60 tables so if you’re interested best act fast.

O  Parma Council of PTA’s (PCPTA -
https://www.parmacityschools.org/PCPTA  or FB at: https://www.facebook.com/parmacouncilpta/ ):
      >> Up-coming PCPTA sponsored events include:
          > PCSD Board of Education Candidates’ Night – 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm, Wednesday, Sept. 29th, Parma Sr. H.S. Little Theater. Doors open at 6:00 pm. The event will be live-streamed and recorded.
          >
Kalahari Family Night & Fundraiser – Thursday, October 2nd. Only a limited number of rooms are available
               at the special group rate of $134. Book online now.
          >
PTA Calendars – Features artwork from students throughout the district. Order today.
          >
Click here to join a local PTA unit

O  From Parma City Schools:

      >>  The schedule for a series of Town Hall Meetings, taking place via FaceBook Live has been set as follows:  Oct. 7th, Dec. 9th, Mar 10, 2022, & June 9, 2022. All meetings will begin at 6:30 pm.
      >>  The Parent University course is back. All classes are virtual & begin at 5:30 pm. The next one, “Building Better Relationships” is scheduled for Wednesday, October 20th. Click here to view the schedule and to register.
      >>  The Culinary Arts Program at Normandy H.S is presenting a “Kick-off”, tail-gate-themed food sale on October 21st.
This is a great opportunity to sample the extraordinary talents of the students in this program. To view the menu and order, go here. Note that all orders must be submitted by October 13th.
      >>
 Visitwww.parmacityschools.org for the most current information regarding COVID protocols, Extended Day Care Enrollment, Orientations, Open Houses and more. Be sure to scroll down a bit to view the latest “PCSD in :60” video.

O  From Southwest Community Based Svcs (SWCBS)/University Settlement & Starting Point:
      >>
  SWCBS has begun planning its programming for the upcoming holiday season and will be needing volunteers. Call Evy Ash at 440.887.4873  if you’re interested. Also, give her a call if you know of a student in need of a backpack or supplies,

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.
      >>  From free online tutoring to afterschool meals and support for parents and educators, explore their back-to-school page for more info on these and other services that can make your transition back to school a little easier.
      >>  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.
      >>  CCPL has updated its schedule w/a whole host of new programming for kids to include their popular Baby Club, Kindergarten Club (Parma Hts & Parma-Snow) & Story Time sessions. Click on the respective branch to view their respective event calendars:  Parma HeightsandParma-Snow. Watch for information about a partnership w/Family Connections & a new program called SPARK.
      >>  Go here to view when specific Branches will be hosting a Cleveland Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry.
      >>  At-home COVID-19 testing kits are available via DRIVE-THOUGH ONLY at the Parma & Parma-Snow locations. Learn more here.
      >>  Computer Classes...View the new fall virtual & in-person class schedule of computer classes covering basic computer essentials, the Internet & email to advanced Microsoft Office applications.     
     >>  Worth checking out….more than 50 virtual programs for adults on topics that include health and wellness, hobbies, and personal finance.
      >>  Click here to 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.

Gene Lovasy

Community Volunteer/Youth Advocate

Read More on News
Volume 13, Issue 10, Posted 1:11 PM, 10.03.2021