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:
      >>
  “Fundamentals of Human Traffickingpresentations are scheduled for 10:30 am on Tues, Dec 6th. The hour-long presentation is both free and virtual. Note that Social Workers completing this program are eligible to receive 1 free CEU. Get details & register here.
      >>  If you know/see something – say something.  Know who to contact….a trusted adult, your local police department, the County's Regional Human Trafficking Task Force at 216.443.6085, or if you feel it's an emergency dial 911.
Should services and/or support for a victim be required, a call to the H. T, Collaborative, 440.872.6500 can result in the appropriate connection/s being made w/any of its 70+ partner organizations or agencies. 

O  From
Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC)...As a reminder -  it’s important for parents to teach their children to look out for those who are targeted by cyberbullying, especially LGBT+ teens. For more information, visit cyberbullying.org.

O  From Cleveland Rape Crisis Center... Click here to learn about support for survivors who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing.  Check out the video presented in American Sign Language  w/English sub-titles describing services available.
 
LOCAL EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES:
O  Grant Sources for Nonprofits...Here is another set of five grantors identified & vetted by the MyCom network:  > The Diana Davis Spencer Foundation  > The Hershey Heartwarming Project Action Grants   >  The DanPaul Foundation   > The Charles Lafitte Foundation  > The TK 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 Parma City Schools: 
      >>  The Sword & Shield, PCSD’s culinary program located at Normandy H.S. is now open on Thursdays and Fridays for lunch. Learn more and order here.
      >>  Join us for Parma City Schools Night w/the Cavs on Saturday, December 10th vs Oklahoma City Thunder. Come out and support Parma City Schools and cheer on our Cleveland Cavaliers. Get your tickets here.
      >>  Community walking & swimming will be available at our three high schools from December – May. Go here for details and schedules.
      >>  The district is looking for feedback regarding our facilities after the failure of Issue 9. It would be helpful if you would please complete this short survey to help with this effort to upgrade/update facilities.

O  From OCALI:... The new Autism Center's Grab and Go Resource Gallery kit is available for families, caregivers, and educators to explore interventions that support all learners, including those with autism spectrum disorder. Inside are a variety of different interventions with how-to explanations, so each can be tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. Learn more here.

O  From We Are Parma Proud...This year’s Christma­­s Parade
will take place on Sunday, Dec. 4th, starting at 1:00 pm at Stearns Farm. From there it will head North down Ridge to Parma City Hall Commons.  Frosty’s Fest will immediately follow the parade & begins when Santa arrives at the Donna Smallwood Activity Center (7001 W Ridgewood Drive) at approximately 1:30 PM. Admission is free. Go here for details.

O  From UH/Parma Medical Center...Will be hosting a Blood Drive from 11:00 – 5:00 pm, Thursday, December 12th. Call 800/733.2767 for an appointment.

O  From The Literacy Cooperative  / Imagination Library...
In addition to sending high-quality books each month to kids ages 0 – 5 via the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (enroll your child here), the Cooperative continues to promote free, virtual presentations on health topics of interest to families w/young children. Another session in this Healthy Families series, “Growing Together: A guide to Parenting a Preschooler” is scheduled for 7:00 pm on Monday, Nov. 28th.  Go here to registerOr,go hereto view archived programs.

O  Re: Equine Assisted Mental Health Services...
If you’re working in the Mental Health arena & would like to learn more about this emerging modality visit EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth And Learning Association). Certification classes are available at nearby Camp Cheerful in Strongsville & Hope Meadow in Columbia Station.

From Search Institute:
     
>>  I would very much be interested in learning if any of you signed on to Wednesday’s (Nov. 16, 2022) virtual State of Developmental Assets Workshop. If so, please email me w/your thoughts and if you would have any interest in participating in an intentional dialogue regarding the DA / DR frameworks. The presentation was recorded & is available on demand. If you would like to watch it let me know & I’ll send you the link.
 
O  From All Faiths Pantry...The organization is still in need of delivery volunteers. For more information call Megan at 216.406.4329 or visit their website at
https://allfaithspantry.org/ 

O From Ohio Dept. of Education (ODE):
     >>  New student health and medication support resources are now available
. Check out the expanded Student Health and Medication Supports webpage to include information on health-related topics such as diabetes, asthma, food allergies, and concussion to support students with health conditions.
     
O  From Connecting for Kids (CFK) – Check out available resources, and upcoming programs & events:
      >> 
The How to Host Inclusive Winter Holidays guide
      >>  With the holidays approaching, consider meeting to talk one-on-one with a CFK staff member on ways to survive the upcoming season. Register for a 30-minute time slot during their monthly Ask Us 1:1 and get resources that can help. Time slots are available by phone, Zoom, or Facebook. View available dates/times.
      >>  How to Stay Calm When Kids Are Out of Control – 6:30 pm, Tuesday, Nov. 29th, Westlake Porter Library,
Register as an adult; Register for children.
      >>  Here are several articles that may prove helpful:            
            >
What Assistive Tech. for Speech and Language Disorders Are Available (Autism Parenting Magazine)
            >
Choosing a Dog for Autism: The Best Breeds (Autism Parenting Magazine) Attention-Deficit
            >
A Homework Reboot: Math Strategies and Writing Tips for ADHD Brains (ADDitude)
      >> 
Visit the CFK website for details about Music Therapy, Adaptive Storytimes, Adaptive Library Programs, a Sensory-Friendly Noon Year's Eve Celebration, and more.

O From Child & Family Advocates of Cuyahoga County...Go here to learn about this organization & the support being provided by CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) volunteers.  They are thoroughly trained & well-supported by professional staff to help them through every case. If you’re interested, go here to complete a Pre-application form. If any of you are working w/at-risk kids, click on their RESOURCES tab for helpful, downloadable information.

O  For something a bit different...Bal Młodzieżowy II - the Debutante & Cavalier Crystal Presentation Ball will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at Tremont City Side Ballroom. The event is open to young men and women ages 15-24 of Polish heritage. The preparation will be compacted to accommodate the young people's schedules. Training will occur only one Saturday per month and the evening before and morning of the day of the event. Go here for details and to register.

O  From Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL):
      >>  “Student Success Centers” (formerly called Homework Help) & the “1-2-3 Read” programs
are still in need of more volunteers. Go here to learn more about the programs and how you can sign up.
      >>  After-school meals (Kids Café) for kids 18 and under are available Monday thru Friday while supplies last at Parma Hts from 3:00 to 4:00 pm, Parma-Powers from 3:30 to 4:30 pm, & Parma-Snow from 3:15 to 4:15 pm.
 
     >>  Go here to view when specific Branches will be hosting a Cleveland Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry. Locally, Parma-Snow will host their Food Pantry from 3:30 – 5:00 pm, Tues., Dec. 6th  (if you have the time, they do need more volunteers);  Parma Hts mobile pantry will take place from 10 – 12 noon on Wed, Dec. 21st.. 
      >>  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.
            >
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 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

Gene Lovasy

Community Volunteer/Youth Advocate

Read More on News
Volume 15, Issue 1, Posted 3:56 PM, 11.29.2022