News You Can Use (And Where To Find It)

Note: View the digital version to activate hyperlinks – www.parmaobserver.com/read/news

RAISING AWARENESS:  Human Trafficking/Abuse:

O  From Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (https://clevelandrapecrisis.org/:
      >>  Go here to read about the launch of CRCC’s new app designed to engage teens, parents, and educators in preventing sexual violence while connecting survivors to services. To check out the app, click here.
     >>  Go here to learn more about their free Ambassador Training Workshops, classes for Parents, Students, and Teachers & Staff, as well as specific programs offered out of their Training Institute.

O  From Ohio’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force...Learn about “sextortion”, the online exploitation crime directed toward children in which coercion or blackmail are used. Visit their FB page to learn more. Scroll their website for a wealth of information and available resources.

O  From The Collaborative to End Human Trafficking:
      >>  To elevate survivor voices and enhance our collective impact work we are launching our Survivor Advisory Council. To apply to join the Survivor Advisory Council, please contact Alicia Ley at aley@collabtoendht.org.
      >>  Coordinated by Senator Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo),  click here for details and to register for the FREE 13th Annual Human Trafficking Awareness Summit from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Friday, March 4th. Throughout the day, among other things, experts will cover the roles played by law enforcement, health care, and social services. Featured this year will be a presentation on the family impacts of human trafficking survivors based on a mother’s experience.
      >>  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.
      >>  Visit Collab’s website a/o Follow them on Facebook. View the close to 70 local partners working collaboratively in support of victim recovery by clicking here. To stay current in regards to HT-related events and activities sign up for their E-newsletter here.

LOCAL EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES:
O  Grant Sources for Nonprofits...Here is another set of five grantors identified by the MyCom network:
> The Esri Foundation; > The Lead4Change Student Leadership Program;  > The Pizza Hut Corporate Contributions Program;  > The Samsung Hope for Children: Solve for Tomorrow Contest;  > The Taproot Foundation.If you’re affiliated with a family/youth-serving organization you s/b visiting these funders’ sites to see if your program/service fits their mission.

O  From Cleveland Food Bank – Summer Food Service Program...If your organization provides summer youth programming consider applying for this federal nutrition program from the USDA for school-age children administered by the Ohio Dept. of Education. Go here for details.

O  From Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.)... Job applications are now open - for youth ages 14 – 19 looking for help finding work this summer.  Learn more and apply here.

O  From Ohio Dept. of Education...Financial literacy video series...This new video series introduces students to six critical financial topics. Through short, easy-to-understand video segments, students can learn the basics of interest;  Credit Scores;  Postsecondary Loans;  Paying & Filing Income Taxes;  Savings. Check it out here: “Beginning Balance: Financial Literacy”

O From Parma Hts Police Dept - THERE’S STILL TIME: The Citizen’s Police Academy will begin March 23rd and go for 11 weeks on Wednesday evenings from 6 pm to 9 pm. If you, or someone you know, wants to learn about who we are and what we do, we highly encourage you to attend! I can attest to this being a great program. Take advantage of the opportunity & register now.

O  From The Literacy Cooperative & Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL):
      >>  Go here to listen to a Sound of Ideas (on Ideastream public radio) piece that aired last month. Guests included a rep from The Center for Community Solutions and an Imagination Library parent sharing how much the program has meant to her family.
      >>  To learn more about The Literacy Cooperative & how you can get involved,click here.
     >>  Click here to learn more about the Imagination Library  & how to enroll your child in the program.

O  From The Parma Area Chamber of Commerce:
      >>  SAVE THE DATE: The 30th Annual Rib Cook-Off and Music Festival – June 9 – 12, 2022.

O  From OCALI - inspiring change and promoting access for people with disabilities:
     >>  InspirED Virtual Learning Series -
          >  InspirED Virtual Learning Series FOR FAMILIES
          >  InspirED Virtual Learning Series FOR PROFESSIONALS

O  From University Settlement/SW Community Based Svcs...Two free virtual financial workshops are being offered:
      >>  “Lunch & Learn Series – Using EXCEL” – 11:00 am – Noon, every Thurs. from Feb 24 – Mar 31.
      >>  For more information contact: Sandra Buckner, Workforce Development Manager, Email: sbuckner@universitysettlement.net

O  Parma Council of PTA’s (PCPTA - https://www.parmacityschools.org/PCPTA  or FB at: https://www.facebook.com/parmacouncilpta/ )
      >>  Click here to join a local PTA unit

O  From Parma City Schools:
     >>  “Building Our Future” progress...
            >  Meeting videos:  January’s meeting;  February’s meeting
           >  March meeting schedule:  4 pm, Tues, 3/8;  7 pm, Wed. 3/9;  1 pm, Thurs. 3/10. Loc: Red Reese Conference Room, Parma Sr. H.S.
            >  If you live within the district & have not yet completed the COMMUNITY SURVEY, please do so here.      
               >  Click here to visit the “Building Our Future” webpage which includes, among other things, a list of FAQ’s and meeting dates.
      >>  It’s PIEROGI DINNER time. Go here for detailsof this traditional event from 3:30 pm to 7:00 pm, Friday, March 4th at Normandy High School’s Cafeteria
     >>  Town Hall Meetings have been scheduled as follows: March 10, 2022, & June 9, 2022. Both meetings will begin at 6:30 pm. and may be viewed on Facebook Live - www.facebook.com/parmaschools.
      >>  Join the free, Embracing Parenthood session on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. The topic for March, coming up Mar. 16th deals with issues related to “Physical Health”.  The program begins at 6:30 pm in the Normandy H.S. Cafeteria...Learn more and register here.
     >>  Normandy’s Culinary Program will be having a St. Patrick's Day Dinner Delight Sale. Go here to view details & place an order. The deadline to order is March 9, 2022.
      >>  SAVE THE DATES:
              >  Saturday, April 4, 2022,  The district-sponsored Community Easter Egg Hunt at Byers Field.Click here if you’d like to help and/or donate some of the estimated 35,000+  candy-filled plastic eggs.
              >  Saturday, August 20, 2022, The Opening Day Kick-off Celebration.
      >>  Visitwww.parmacityschools.org for the most current information regarding COVID Dashboard/protocols, community walking, and open swim programs, the latest “PCSD in :60” video, and much more.

O  From Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL):
      >>  All branches are opened to the public for regular hours of operation.  Masks are encouraged;  meeting rooms are again available to reserve & in-person programming has resumed. 
      >>  At-home COVID-19 testing kits are available via DRIVE-THOUGH ONLY at the Parma & Parma-Snow locations;  call ahead to check for availability. Alternatively, U.S. residents can also request four free rapid antigen test kits to be mailed directly to their home by the U.S. government at https://special.usps.com/testkits.  Learn more here.
     >>  The Parma-Snow Branch will be hosting a BLOOD DRIVE from 10 am to 4 pm, Monday, Mar 30thFor information and to book an appointment call 800.733.2767.
      >>  Go here to view when specific Branches will be hosting a Cleveland Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry. Locally, the Parma Heights Branch will be offering free boxed food for those in need from 10 – 12 noon on Mar. 17th  - rain, snow, or shine — on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last.
     >>  Don’t forget, in addition to all sorts of kids programming, our three local branches are providing and will continue, Monday – Friday through May 30th, to provide children with free grab-and-go meals.  Go here to learn more about KIDS CAFÉ. 
      >>  Special events coming to Parma-Snow:
                > P.A.L.S Big Screen Sensory Friendly Movie and Talk:  Saturday, March 26 at 11:00 AM.  Programs for All Lives is a series of adapted programs created especially for customers with disabilities. To register and for more information click here:  P.A.L.S. Big Screen Sensory Movie and Talk 
                > World in Your Backyard Series:  Tuesday, March 8, 7:00 PM.   Learn to navigate everyday life in America by understanding the differences that exist in various cultures in the world.  To register and for more information click here: World in Your Backyard Series    
      >>  Boost your baby’s brain through play! Register for BABY CLUB, a free, 5-week club for caregivers and children ages birth to walking. Connect with your kids and other families plus get answers about your growing child. Click here for more detail & to register at your preferred branch.
       >>  Use your CCPL library card (or get one here) to take advantage of just some of these more unique services/programs available at your library.
            > Get access to these free online learning platforms taught by professionals in their fields
            > WiFi Access & Computer Classes
            > Learn how to hold a conversation in over 70 languages
            > Digital Newstand - Enjoy digital versions of your favorite news publications and magazines
            > Learn more or register for any of 50+ virtual programs for adult learners
            > Take your pick from thousands of streaming movies & TV shows from Hoopla, Kanopy & Overdrive
            > Design something & use the 3D printing capabilities of the Parma-Snow Innovation Center           
            > Learn more about Library2You, their homebound delivery service
            > Passport services are now available.
            > Check out programs for pre-school & school-aged youth. Scroll down for Teacher resources.
            >Cuyahoga Works: Job and Career Services
            > Sign up to receive the Library Insider e-Newsletter
            > Click here to visit CCPL’s Home Page