News You Can Use (And Where To find It)

RAISING AWARENESS:  Human Trafficking/Abuse: Note: View the digital version to activate hyperlinks – www.parmaobserver.com/read/news

O  From The Collaborative to End Human Trafficking:
      >>  Upcoming events:
            > Fundamentals of Human Trafficking – BACK TO SCHOOL EDITION...This free, virtual presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, August 9th, from 10:30 – 11:30. Get details & register here.
      >>  Save the date: October 20-21, 2022... join us in envisioning a new movement focused on creating a roadmap for collaboration where all systems and survivors work together for solutions. This county-wide,  appreciative inquiry, “Thriving Youth Summit” will be facilitated by the Community Innovation Network at Case Western Reserve University. Watch for more information coming soon.
      >>  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.     

O  From The Ohio Attorney General’s  Human Trafficking Task Force:
      >>  The Ohio Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Service Standards Self-Assessment is now live! If you provide services to human trafficking survivors in any capacity within your organization and you are a member of the HT Collaborative this assessment is for you! As a community, let’s show the vast array of services available to survivors in  Cuyahoga County. Only if your organization completes this assessment will you be placed on the Ohio Trafficking Services Matrix. Review the Self-Assessment Standards of Service here. To complete the Self-Assessment, click here.

O  From Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC):
      >>  Check out this new app that engages teens, parents, and educators, in preventing sexual violence while connecting survivors to services. The app highlights topics such as healthy relationships and boundaries, bystander intervention, and healthy social media use. It’s free and allows users to connect to CRCC’s crisis & support hotline, as well as find articles, videos, and information that promote healthy relationships and affirmative consent.
      >>  Visit their “Training Institute” page for course offerings coming up during  the next several months
             
LOCAL EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES:
O  Grant Sources for Nonprofits...Here is another set of five grantors identified by the MyCom network. These have a mostly mental health focus:  > Build-A-Bear Foundation  > The Cigna Foundation  > Circle for Justice Innovations  > The J.W. Couch Foundation  > The Gerber Foundation.  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 the City of Parma...Plan on attending the annual Safety Fair coming up on Saturday, Aug. 13th from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. Activities will include a fire extinguisher demonstration, drone, and K9 demonstrations; free fingerprinting and bicycle helmets for children; and visits with firefighters, EMS workers and police patrol, motorcycle and bicycle units, and much more

O  From Neighborhood Leadership Insititute...Their  Healthy Communities team is hosting a Drive-Through Diaper Distribution! On Wednesday, August 3, 2022, from 1:00 - 3:00 pm.  Expecting mothers and moms of recently born children are invited to participate. The event will be hosted at the Neighborhood Leadership Institute parking lot. Get details and register here.

O  From UH/Parma Medical Center...Starting June 27th to August 22nd, from 11 am to 1 pm, Monday thru Friday, children ages 1 – 18 will be eligible to receive a free healthy lunch in the ground floor cafeteria. Registration is not required but, children must eat in the hospital cafeteria to be eligible.

O  From Search Institute:
      >>  Policymakers and practice leaders suggest youth-serving professionals and volunteers play an integral role in supporting youth to thrive. Search Institute is joining forces with the ‘Power of Us’ initiative to ensure the voice of youth-serving professionals and volunteers is heard. In that regard, they want to learn more about the “Youth Fields” workforce. These are people like summer camp counselors, sports coaches, music teachers, and afterschool program staff; anyone who works with youth in any capacity outside of the regular school day.  Click here for details and to take the Power of Us Work Force Survey.
      >>  Their family engagement program, “Keep Connected” offers all kinds of families—and organizations that support them—ideas, activities, and experiences to help build strong family relationships. The goal is to strengthen family relationships to help kids be and become their best selves. Learn more here.
      >>  Interested in learning more about Developmental Assets? As a reminder, the Character Building section of the District’s website describes the concept and includes over 10 uniquely designed documents that can help put those concepts into everyday practice.

O  From NEOSTEMECO (NE Ohio STEM EcoSystem):
      >>  Our STEM Stipends of $1,500 are available to individuals and organizations serving BIPOC students and families in northeast Ohio. Go here for details and to apply.
      >>  Looking into the Cosmos...Check out these links for narrative and images captured by the:
              > James Webb Space Telescope;  > unfiltered universe.  > Deep Field;  > 13 billion years ago

O  From The Downs Syndrome Association - https://www.dsaneo.org/  (formerly the Upside of Downs):
      >>  Go here to learn about Sunburst Snacks where team members with Down syndrome purchase, assemble, and deliver boxes of snacks in a variety of delicious flavors! Along the way, they gain experience in marketing, networking, and communications. Place a group order or book a pop-up snack shop for your next community or corporate event!
      >>  The 2022 Northeast Ohio Buddy Walk will take place on Saturday, August 20, 2022, at Lake Metroparks FarmPark. Go here for details and to register.
      >>  Also, check out their FB page at https://www.facebook.com/dsaOFneo  and/or sign up for the E-newsletter here.

O  From OCALI...OCALI has partnered with the Ohio Expo Commission to host the StateFair’s SENSORY-FRIENDLY MORNING on Wednesday, August 3, from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. During these designated hours, fairgoers can experience a sensory-friendly morning where the lights will be lowered and the sounds turned down. For those looking to take a break, they can relax in the OCALI Quiet Room.Go here for more information.

O  From Parma Area Kiwanis:
      >>  Save The Date – 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm, Saturday, Sept. 10th. The club along w/ Bartels-Busack Pet Hospital/Resort & SPA will be hosting DOG DAYS OF PARMA. Click here for details on their FB page and download the attached sponsorship opportunities.
      >>  Stop by our table at the Aug. 13th Safety Fair and/or the Aug. 20th Opening Day Kick-off to say “HI!”.  Learn how to have free books sent to your young child each month, grab an ID label for your child’s car seat, and learn more about the work we do in the community.

O  From Parma City Schools:    
      >>  Go here to view & print a copy of your respective PCSD Back-To-School supply list.
      >>  Opening Day Kick-off Celebration, Saturday, August 20, 2022, from 10:00 am to 12:00 at Byers Field. The focus of this event will be on incoming Kindergarten students and all other new students/families to the district. There will be a  kindergarten parade, marching band performances, a community resource fair, and more. To register your organization’s participation click here & simply update the form by adding the requested information at the end of the list.
    
O  From Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL):
      >>  Go here to view/register for any one of 5 free, employment service programs scheduled from now thru August 30th.
      >>  Check out CCPL’s Adapted Programs giving people of all ages and abilities the opportunity to learn together in a safe, supportive environment.
      >>  Looking to improve your Spanish language skills? Try the “Time2Talk” app – use promo code CCPL2022A to start practicing for free. Learn how here.
      >>  Download the attached document listing youth programming scheduled for this summer at the Parma-Snow & Parma-Powers locations.
      >>  Go here to view when specific Branches will be hosting a Cleveland Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry this month. Locally, the Parma-Snow Branch will host their Food Pantry from 3:30 – 5:00 pm, Tuesday, Aug 2nd  (if you have the time, they do need more volunteers);  Parma Heights Branch mobile pantry will take place from 10 – 12 noon on August 17th..
      >>  During the summer, our three local branches are providing free grab-and-go meals for kids 18 & under, while supplies last. Parma Hts Branch = 11:30 – 12:30; Parma-Powers Branch = 1:30 – 2:30; Parma-Snow = 3:15 – 4:15.
      >>   CCPL’s Digital Navigators service offers one-on-one assistance to help you – or someone you know – connect to the internet, get a device, set up a telehealth appointment, and more.Click here to learn more about this unique program.
      >>  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
            > One-on-one tech help is available from the Digital Navigator service.
            > Learn how to hold a conversation in over 70 languages
            > Digital Newstand - 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 pre-school & 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