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 The Collaborative to End Human Trafficking:
      >>  These items were referenced and made available during a recent Internet Safety & Exploitation webinar. Both of the publications and more, are available by visiting the Ohio Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Initiative webpage and are worth a serious review. Access by clicking on the hyperlink;  the “TinyURLs” are meant to be shared w/a friend or colleague during a conversation.
>  Parent Resource Guide - Apps to Watch or try https://tinyurl.com/HTTeenApps   (There are 14 of them. All but 2 I never heard of before.)   
>  Parent Resources Guide - Protecting Kids When They Go Online or https://tinyurl.com/ParentHTResource-Guide.
      >>  Learn more about the Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, one of over 70 of the Collab’s partner organizations.

O  Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center ...provides free legal assistance to crime victims to protect and enforce their rights. For Victims Needing Help? Access their services and, in particular, the Victims Rights Toolkit. If you’re a professional, i.e.: a first responder, in law enforcement, the judiciary, etc., go here to view your Toolkit.
This is an exceptional resource of which everyone s/b aware.
                 
O  From Cleveland Rape Crisis Center:
      >>  Donations of specific clothing items are needed at CRCC’s Drop-in Center. Check out the attached flyer for details.
      >>  Become an ambassador for social change! Sign up for their two-part virtual Ambassador Training Workshop. The free, virtual series is open to anyone who wants to learn more about how to support survivors of rape and sexual abuse and get involved in creating social change.  Go here to register. 
      >>  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  From Ohio House District 14 Representative Sean Brennan - Monthly Newsletter

O  Grant Sources for Nonprofits...Here is another set of five grantors identified & vetted by the MyCom network. These focus primarily on supporting organizations, programs, and projects as our kids go back to school:   > The Howley Foundation  >  GPD Group Employees’ Foundation;   >  Snapdragon Book Foundation >  Youth Service America (YSA)  >  Fordham Street 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:
      >>  From College Now ... For PSCD students Gr: 9 – 11 who are low-income and/or first-generation in their family to attend college can participate in opportunities to explore colleges & career options w/College Now – Upward Bound. If you fit the requirements, GO HERE to complete the application online. Contact your H.S. Counselor w/any questions.
      >>  District elementary schools will be hosting their Open Houses on Thurs. Aug 31st. Go here to confirm the times.
      >>  Go here to view the 2023 – 24 school supply lists for the First Step program and links to lists for each elementary & middle school.
      >>  Go here to view the 2023 – 24 school year calendar. The first day of school will be the day after Labor Day, Tuesday, Sept. 5th, the last day will be Friday, June 14, 2024.
      
O  From Parma Council of PTAs:
      >>  Meet candidates vying for the District’s Board of Education. From 6:30 – 8:30 pm, Mon. Sept. 18th, Normandy H.S. Auditorium. Doors open @ 6:00 pm.
      >>  The 2023 – 2024 fiscal year has begun & joining this organization has never been easier. Clicking on this LINK TREE provides immediate access to all individual school PTAs as well as Parma Early Childhood, First Step Preschool, and A.C.E.S. Center For Education PTAs. Get involved; make a difference.

O  From NASA Science:  Whether you’re a STEM instructor, volunteer, or parent homeschooling your child, here are several sites guaranteed to spark interest & get them engaged.
      >> Learn the Phases of the Moon: Assemble a printable Moon Phases Calendar and Calculator.
      >> Night Sky Network: Astronomy clubs bring the wonder of the universe to the public.
      >> NASA Space Voyagers Game: A strategy card game where students explore the solar system.
      >> Mars Scavenger Hunt: Students participate in a Martian mission by completing the Mars scavenger hunt.  

O  From SW Community Based Services (SWCBS – a family/youth support program under the umbrella of University Settlement):
      >>  Is now, In addition to serving just families involved with the DCFS, the program has now expanded to assist ANY family w/children up to 18 as well as offering services for youth aging out of foster care. Call 216.331.7323 for more information.
      >>  Planning is underway for programs & events celebrating the holiday season. Details to be forthcoming.
  
O  From Cleveland Division of Water ... Since 1994 the Cleveland STEP experience, a partnership between Cleveland Water and NE Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD), has been giving students the opportunity, and encourages them to build toward a career in STEM by connecting them to educational institutions, businesses, and industry and community leaders. Students in the 6th -  9th grades from any school in the Cleveland Water/NEORSD service area are eligible to participate. For more information, contact their  Education and Outreach office at 216-664-3173, email Laquania_Graham@clevelandwater.com, or visit CLEVELAND STEP here.

O  From Parma Area Kiwanis ... SAVE THE DATE – Plan on attending “HOWL-O-WEEN” -  Where: Bartels Busack Animal Hospital Parking lot; When: 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm, Saturday, October 7th; Why: Proceeds to benefit The Parma Animal Shelter celebrating their 20th anniversary & the Parma Area Kiwanis Scholarship Fund.

O  From OCALI - inspiring change and promoting access for people with disabilities: Is celebrating literacy with these OCALI Resources. Check out these great FREE resources that can help you in the classroom, at home, or wherever learning takes place: 
        > Braille Courses:  Explore these courses brought to you by the AT&AEM Center: Touch of Braille, Braille Reading & Writing Smackdown, Basic Braille, and Advanced Braille. 
        > Books Featuring Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Blind/Visually Impaired Characters:  Books and supporting resources from the Outreach Center for Deafness and Blindness to help children, teens, and adults understand more about low-incidence disabilities and expose them to diverse experiences. 
        > Children’s Books on Autism: Help children and teens understand more about autism spectrum disorder with recommended books from the Autism Center. There are books to read aloud, books for children to read alone, and books for long-term study and projects. Many include links to supporting materials and videos.
 
O  From Connecting For Kids:
      >>  Has developed a NEW BEHAVIOR RESOURCE GUIDE to help you:>Understand common childhood behavior problems,  >Know when to seek professional help for childhood behaviors, and  > Learn about tools you can use to improve your child’s behavior. The guide is divided into three sections:  > Red Flags,  > Solutions  > Resources, and FAQ.  Check it out at the hyperlink above. This one is well worth a visit.
      >>  Check out these special FB groups and consider joining any that may be of interest:CFK Families, CFK Dads Only, CFK Gifted Children, CFK Complex Needs, CFK Familias Hispanas
      >>  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 Starting Point Partners:
      >>  Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District ... Will be hosting a “Reduce – Reuse – Repair Fair”.  When: 10 am – 2 pm, Saturday, Sept. 9;  Where: MetroParks West Creek Stewardship Center in Parma (2277 W. Ridgewood Dr.) GO HERE for event details, featured vendors, how to register as a vendor, and register for the “Fix It CLE Workshop.”
      >>  From Goods Bamk NEO ... Helps nonprofits, schools, and faith-based organizations provide new goods to the people they serve or use them to support their operations, all for a nominal handling fee. The result? Budgets and donations go further and organizations can help more people. This is a unique and rapidly growing program, well worth a visit.
        
O  From Achievement Center for Children/Camp Cheerful ... Their upcoming Cleveland Guardians Adapted Baseball season needs volunteers. The season runs from August 14th - October 2nd (OFF on Labor Day) w/play on Monday evenings from 6 pm - 8:15 pm at Foltz Field in Strongsville.Sign up here or for information re specific volunteer opportunities contact: Ryan Holesko,Mgr of Adapted Sportsat 440-238-6200 ext. 246, email:  Ryan.Holesko@achievementctrs.org. 
   
O  From MetroHealth Medical Center:
      >> SAVE THE DATE! for the inaugural Multicultural Women’s Health Fair & Empowerment Expo on Saturday, September 30, at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. Get details here.
      >>  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 Monday, September 11 (entry is free for Cuyahoga County residents).

O  From Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL):
      >>  Prepping for college:  Get help writing college and scholarship essays, receive an overview of postsecondary education programs and services, learn how to prepare for the SAT and ACT, and more. Go here for September’s topics, times & locations.
      >>  Baby Club ... Boost your baby's brain through play: Learn more & register here for a 5-week club for caregivers and children ages birth to 2 years old. Learn helpful tips and research-backed practices you can use to boost your baby’s brain through play and connect with other families. Siblings welcome! The program is sponsored by Ohio's 529 Plan, CollegeAdvantage
      >>  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, Wed, Sept. 20th. 
      >>  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
            > 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