Note: View the digital version to activate hyperlinks – www.parmaobserver.com/read/news RAISING AWARENESS: Human Trafficking/Abuse:
O From The Collaborative to End Human Trafficking:
>> Men and boys who are exploited by human trafficking often go underreported and do not have the same services available to them. Biases, lack of training, and cultural stigmas can all affect the likelihood of seeking and receiving resources needed for healing. Visit https://collabtoendht.org/…/our-progr…/technical-assistance/ to request technical assistance and be sure to register for our free trainings.
O From Cleveland Rape Crisis Center:
>> An integral part of its mission CRCC is promoting the prevention of sexual abuse by now offering free educational and training programs for youth and adults! Go here to see what’s available and here to request a program. Questions? Email educationoutreach@clevelandrcc.org.
LOCAL EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES:
O Grant Sources for Nonprofits...Here is another set of five grantors identified by the MyCom network.
> The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation; > The Google Ad Grants program; > The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation; > The New Earth Foundation; > The State Farm Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants Program. If you’re affiliated with a family/youth-serving organization visit these funders’ sites to see if your program/service fits their mission.
O From Parma City Schools:
>> The PCSD Board of Education is offering for sale, at public auction, used surplus equipment deemed no longer needed. The auction will be conducted online at www.fasttrackauction.com and shall commence live online on June 19, 2023, and end on Monday, July 10, 2023, with removal of items on July 12 -13, 2023. The auction shall be conducted in accordance with and subject to the "Conditions of Sale” available online at www.fasttrackauctlon.com. Go here to view the official notice of sale.
>> Go here to display the new bell schedule for the 2023 – 2024 school year
>> For students attending Normandy or Valley Forge H.s. for the first time, tours are scheduled at:
Normandy H. S. 10 am – 12 pm Tuesday, July 11th and at ...
Valley Forge H. S. 10 am – 12 pm Wednesday, July 12th. Registration is not required; just show up.
>> PCSD Summer meals program: Free for all children ages 1 – 18. WHEN: M – F, June 12 thru July 21 from 11:30 - 12:30; WHERE: Ridge-Brook and John Muir Elementary.
O From Parma Schools Foundation ... Is sponsoring a major, all-PCSD student production of the classic musical, “The Sound of Music”. Where: Valley Forge High School Auditorium; When: 7:00 pm, Friday, Jul 28th, 7:00 pm, Saturday, July 29th, and 2:00 pm, Sunday, July 30th. For more information click:performance details, and for tickets click:Order Form
O From Help Me Grow / Bright Beginnings
>> ASQ (Ages & Stages Questionaire) ...for parents w/a child < 3 years of age. Visit this online screen tool to help determine the child’s development in the following areas: Communication, both Fine & Gross Motor Skills, Problem Solving, and Personal-Social Skills.
>> Community Resource Directories ... find all manner of searchable early intervention, home visiting, and family support services and providers.
O From Starting Point Partners:
>> Food Strong ... Takes a unique approach to using fresh food as a tool to educate, empower & cultivate health throughout NEO. Initiatives include Vacant Lot Restoration, Youth Programming of all sorts, Care-A-Van events & much more. Check their website or call Sara Continenza, Exec Dir. At 216.640.0342. PCSD Nutritional Svcs. and Stearns Homestead might want to consider making a connection.
>> Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank: Has installed 5 new collection boxes, ONE OF WHICH CAN BE FOUND AT THE LEFT FRONT OF NORMANDY HIGH SCHOOL. Visit the Book Bank’s FB page here.
>> Values-in-Action Foundation/Kindland movement ... Click here to learn more about this local group that focuses on, and encourages folks to “... Just Be Kind ...”. While there, click on the “2023 Summer of Kindness” challenge link. Complete the acts of kindness on the Summer of Kindness challenge board and turn it in to be entered in for amazing raffle prizes! This is designed to be impactful and fun activity for both kids and adults. It’s worth the time to, at the very least, check out!
O From Search Institute – More about the importance/benefits of developing healthy relationships w/youth. They’re all quick reads, full of ideas & activities, free & worth a visit.
>> Surviving to Thriving: Developmental Relationships Are the Antidote to Youth Loneliness
>> Challenging Growth ... Consider encouraging them to imagine what their lives will be like in the future and think about the ways their current habits connect to their future goals. Then, invite your young people today to write a Letter for Their Future Self.
O From UH/Parma Medical Center – Summer Lunch Program ... Free for all children ages 1 – 18, starting June 5 – September 1, Monday – Friday from 11 am-1:30 pm. Once again, children ages 1-18 are eligible to receive a free, healthy lunch in the cafeteria. Each meal will include a special entrée, vegetable, fruit, milk, and whole grain side. Registration is not required, but meals must be eaten in the hospital cafeteria to be eligible.
O From Ohio Dept. of Education (ODE):
>> What is the science of reading? ODE now offers a 45-minute course on the science of reading. It explains the different aspects of the science of reading and enhances comprehension of successful approaches to literacy instruction. The 1st module of this course is a 13 minute, easy to understand basic primer on the topic. It would be worth your time to view.
>> ODE is introducing A Family’s Guide to Engagement. This new resource offers tangible, accessible tools for parents to encourage engagement with service providers and educational teams supporting students and advocacy on behalf of their children. Focused on the early childhood years, the first chapter, Lived Experience, and the second chapter, Fostering Family Engagement, are available now. The Department will release additional chapters monthly.
>> Child Sexual Abuse, Dating Violence and Sexual Violence Prevention – Go here to visit the webpage developed to assist schools and districts with meeting the requirements of recent legislation.
O From City of Parma Heights:
>> A city-wide YARD SALE will be taking place Friday & Saturday, July 14th – 15th.To participate as a seller register here by July 7th. Call 440.884.9601 with questions.
O From Down Syndrome Association of NE Ohio (formerly the Upside of Downs) ... Has partnered with Cast It Forward to give kids w/Down Syndrome a fishing experience...Emerald Necklace Marina at Rocky River Reservation; Monday, July 17th; 10:00 am - 12:30 pm for ages 5-12; 12 noon - 2:30 pm for ages 13 and up. Registration: For ages 5-12; For ages 13 & up. This is a free event for DSANEO families. Registration is required & space is limited.
O From Connecting For Kids:
>> ADD & ADHD are some of the most common concerns shared by Connecting for Kids families. Nearly 1 in 10 U.S. children between the ages of 2 - 17 years are diagnosed with ADHD. Check out C4K’sRevised Resource Guide to help identify Red Flags, learn about Solutions & find Resources.
>> Looking for some activities for the kids this summer? Check out: Ask Us 1:1 June & July: Summer Survival& schedule an appointment w/a Family Resource Specialist. Not only will they help you find camps, adapted sports, therapies, social skills groups, and recreational activities, they will help you find the funding to pay for it.
>> C4K posts all of the latest fliers and webinar information it receives from local and national providers on the CFK Flier Connection page on Facebook – click the link to join. Visit their website to learn more about what this local organization has to offer.
O From MetroHealth Medical Center:
>> Has partnered w/Cleve. Metroparks to host a Multicultural Children's Health Expo this summer at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The expos will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the following Mondays – July 24, August 14, and September 11 (entry is free for Cuyahoga County residents). The expo will feature music, giveaways, and the opportunity for children and their families to interact with MetroHealth caregivers, receive important health information, and discover fun ways to stay active and healthy.
O From Achievement Centers for Children/Camp Cheerful:
>> This is the biggest season in their Adaptive Football program’s 13-year partnership w/the Cleveland Browns. The playing season runs from June 10 – August 5 at Berea-Midpark H.S. They are looking specifically for volunteers willing to help from 9:45 am - 12:30 pm on any Saturday that they are able. Duties range from assisting players, greeting families, and/or performing registration-type activities. Click here to signup. Contact Ryan Holesko, Program Mgr. at 440.238.6200 x-245; email: ryan.holesko@achievementctrs.orgw/any questions.
>> Click on the above Achievement Ctrs/Camp Cheerful hyperlink to learn more about their summer camps, and therapeutic horsemanship programs, both of which would welcome new volunteers. Internships and summer employment opportunities may still be available.
O From Parma Area Chamber of Commerce:
>> PACC’s Annual Golf Outing is scheduled for Friday, July 21st at Ridgewood G.C. All proceeds will go towards funding their student scholarship program. Register here.
O From Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL):
>> Free Summer Lunch Program: Beginning June 1st – August 11th, nutritious bagged lunches are available, while supplies last, Monday – Friday for students ages 18 & younger.
Branch & Times: Parma-Powers: 12:00 – 1:00; Parma-Snow: 11:00 – 12:00; Parma Hts: 11:30 – 12:30.
>> Go here to sign up for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. Those who accept the challenge – which runs through August 13 – will have a chance to win prizes, including books, bikes a Nintendo Switch, and more
>> Go here to view when specific Branches will be hosting a Cleveland Food Bank FRESH PRODUCE Mobile Food Pantry. Locally, Parma Hts mobile pantry will take place from 10 – 12 noon, Wednesday, July 19th.
>> 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.
> WiFi Access & Computer Classes – A full complement of free, in-person & online computer classes are now available including Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Prep courses.
> Learn how you can become a CCPL Volunteer and the programming opportunities available.
> One-on-one tech help is available from the Digital Navigator service.
> Learn how to hold a conversation in over 70 languages
> Digital Newsstand - Enjoy digital versions of your favorite news publications and magazines
> 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 preschool & school-aged youth. Scroll down for Teacher resources.
> Cuyahoga Works: Job and Career Services, ESOL, GED, Citizenship classes
> Sign up to receive the Library's weekly e-Newsletter
> Click here to visit CCPL’s, Home Page
