The City of Cleveland strongly encourages residents not to participate in trick-or-treating this year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. However, if residents choose to trick-or-treat or pass out candy, the permitted hours in the City of Cleveland are from 6-8 p.m. They are asked to adhere to the regulations outlined in the Ohio Department of Health’s “Celebrating Halloween” guidelines which include the following:

In an effort to provide children in Cleveland’s neighborhoods with an alternative to traditional trick-or-treating, the City will be offering grab-and-go candy bags. This is in lieu of our annual Big City Boo event, which we must regretfully cancel this year. Participants seeking candy bags will be required to wear masks, maintain six feet of social distancing and follow posted guidelines and directional signage.

The candy bags will be at the 18 open City of Cleveland Neighborhood Resource and Recreation Centers (NRRCs) on October 30 from 6-7 p.m. or until all bags are given out. All of the NRRCs will supply candy bags with the exception of the following: Halloran, Stella Walsh, Sterling, Hamilton, Kovacic and Camp Forbes. Please note: candy bags will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Each program will begin accepting applications at 10am on Monday, November 2nd.

Last Friday, the State of Ohio announced $429.5 million in CARES Act funding to assist struggling Ohioans, including new grant programs for Ohio's small businesses and restaurants:

If you are struggling to pay your rent, apply today.

The solution by Empower CLE:

First, supporting students with access to education:

For Cleveland public school families, you can receive free high-speed internet through the partnership with Empower Cle. The district pays your installation costs as long as a student lives in the home. That’s right, free! No hidden charges and no bait and switch. Moreover, the school system will provide your child with a computer.

That service is now available in the designated area on the map above. To participate in the program, you have to opt-in by calling 216-777-3859. Do not wait till the last minute, call today while supplies last!

For all other residents in the above designated map area:

Even though you do not have a child in the Cleveland school system, you can have high-speed internet in your home for less than $10 per month through Empower Cle. That’s right, no installation cost and no monthly fees. Call 216-777-3859.

There are two other low cost options for students not located in the EmpowerCLE service area:

EARLY VOTING is highly recommended when possible, as there are shorter lines, there are more options for days/times of the week, and you eliminate the risk that something could come up which prevents successful voting on Election Day. It’s a way to “schedule voting around your life rather than have to schedule your life around voting”—and provides the most options to ensure SAFE and EQUITABLE access to Democracy!

“Early Voting” could mean EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING at the Board of Elections (2925 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, 44115), which is open until 6pm this week and 7pm next week, and both this and next weekend.

Or it could mean voting ABSENTEE/BY-MAIL, which involves completing the ballot at home and either mailing-in or dropping off directly at the Board of Elections. Once you receive your absentee/mailed-ballot, please complete it carefully per all instructions and return it as soon as possible. If persons have not received their requested absentee/vote-by-mail ballot yet, they should check the ‘Track my Ballot’ feature on the Board of Elections website (or call the BOE at 216-443-VOTE) to check the status of their request as soon as possible!

If persons would like a free ride to the Board of Elections either for in-person Early Voting, or to drop-off their absentee/mailed ballot directly at the BOE, or to go to the polls on Election Day, November 3^rd, two local programs can be used:

Whether you plan to vote at your polling location on Election Day November 3^rd, vote early in-person at the BOE, or vote by mail/absentee ballot—having a ‘plan for voting’ is critical to ensure all eligible voters can successfully vote this year—and this includes HOW, WHEN, WHERE, and even WITH WHOM. 

For more information as you prepare your ‘Voting Plan’, you can follow this link to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections Website, where you can do the following: 

You may qualify for free legal representation, call Legal Aid at 216-687-1900.

MyCom is a network of people who believe youth development is a direct path to healthy, safe communities for everyone. We build strengths in young people and their neighborhoods by connecting existing programs and resources, and funding opportunities for positive growth.

Follow Near West Job Board Facebook Page for daily job postings.

M-TH, 4-6pm at all CPL locations. Register here.

For Kids and Teens 

For Adults and Seniors p. 1-5 p. 6-10 

Please contact Merrick House Early Childhood Director Laurie Santos at 216-771-5077 extension 132 or e-mail her at lauries@merrickhouse.org 

Tremont Youth Council at Merrick House

 Please contact Jennifer Pullom at 216.771.5077 or jenniferp@merrickhouse.org for details.

MomsFirst

Tremont West staff put together this list of food access in Tremont, Duck Island and Irishtown Bend. Please email Dharma Valentin if you would like to see something changed or added.

https://www.unitedway.org/recovery/covid19... 

Pet food is available through the Cleveland Animal Protective League. Email projectCARE@clevelandapl.org or call (216) 255-5012 and leave a message.

As a reminder, cans are not to be placed outside earlier than 12pm the day before garbage pick-up and must be removed by 12pm the day following garbage pick-up.