There is a wonderful event, “Community Day of HOPE,” planned for the Glouster Community through Athens HOPE (Helping Overcome Substance Use Disorder through Prevention and Education) and the Tomcat Bridge Builders of Glouster on July 29th, 2021 from 3-6pm. Funding for the event was provided through the Heal Initiative Community Study.
This will be an event to support our local communities and provide information and resources to those struggling with substance misuse and needing information on resources to help with a variety of needs plus just a cool community event with food, music and good conversation.
Some of the organizations will include ACEnet, Tomcat Bridge Builders, HRS, Hopewell, Integrated Services, TASC, HAPCAP, Athens County Job and Family Services/OhioMeansJobs-Athens, The Gathering Place/Mike’s Bridge House, Serenity Grove, Athens Public Libraries, OhioHealth, Appalachian Behavioral Healthcare, and the 317 Board and their affiliates.
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ACEnet Tenant Central Ohio Music Therapy (COMT)
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Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. Music therapy can positively impact the quality of life through unique program offerings at your facility. |
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New ACEnet tenant, Central Ohio Music Therapy, LLC (COMT) provides non-pharmaceutical options for relief of pain, anxiety, and numerous other symptoms. Music therapy can positively impact quality of life through unique programs COMT can offer at your facility. |
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Central Ohio Music Therapy provides a variety of music therapy services throughout Athens, Pickaway, Franklin, Madison, Union, Delaware, Fairfield, Perry, Logan, Vinton, Pike, Jackson and Ross Counties. Populations served include: Children and adults with Down’s Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, auditory and visual impairments, autism; patients with medical issues; patients receiving palliative and hospice care; geriatric adults suffering from stroke, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other issues of aging.
They also offer virtual music therapy!
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Rachel Brunot joined ACEnet in June 2021 as the Fresh and Healthy Foods VISTA through the Ohio CDC AmeriCorps VISTA program. Rachel will spend the next year assisting with evaluation design, training, and infrastructure support to provide farming and specialty food entrepreneurs with resources, infrastructure, skills and strategies to start and expand their operations into profitable businesses that support sustainable livelihoods, while simultaneously increasing the diversity and safety in the local food economy.
Rachel is new to the Athens area but has lived in Ohio her whole life, first in Cleveland and then in Columbus, where she graduated from Ohio State in May 2021 with a bachelor’s in Geography and International Studies. She is interested in nonprofit work, community development, and sustainable
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Athens Photo Project's Social Enterprise Program |
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The Athens Photo Project's social enterprise, Photo Co-Op, has emerged from the pandemic and a year-long training program to offer the Appalachian Ohio community a variety of photographic services and products.
The group of 26 Advanced APP Artists who now work as photographers with support are ready to help you grow your visual narrative and increase your online impact with socially conscious storytelling for businesses and nonprofits, headshots and product photography.
With the Outtakes Collection, the group repurposes 4x6 glossy prints, cardboard and non-recyclable items to create gift tags and stars. Event coverage and a pop-up photo booth round out the list of services offered, making any wedding or event more fun and meaningful.
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Recent APP Photo Co-Op projects have included “Helping Hands,” a collection of images visually documenting the work of nine regional nonprofits during the pandemic (including ACEnet!), as well as celebrating Nelsonville’s Uptown during this historic time. Sponsored by The Osteopathic Heritage Foundations, this exhibition is currently on display at The Majestic Galleries in Nelsonville, OH until August 22 nd.
To learn more about the programs offered by the Athens Photo Project, the Photo Co-Op, and of the Photo Co-Op's first exhibit, Athens Farmers Market: The Hands That Feed Us, please visit our Community Updates page:
Athens Photo Project is a community of artists dedicated to using photography as a tool for self-expression, personal growth and social change. APP programs are provided in partnership with mental-health and social-service organizations to ensure all community members have the opportunity to experience the transformative power of the arts when they need it most.
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Planning to Advance Mobile Meat in Ohio & Central Appalachia
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Did the last year or so have you thinking about your meat supply?
Whether you shop for local meat, raise livestock, operate a slaughterhouse, or create value-added products, the meat processing bottleneck affects you.
A current project being conducted by ACEnet and consultants Paul Dorrance, Angela Blatt, and Rachel Tayse hopes to find a possible solution!
Help us out by taking this short survey! (link below)
We want to hear from as many farmers, processors, and consumers in the Ohio and Central Appalachian region as possible and appreciate any feedback!
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New Grants for Small Businesses! |
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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced the launch of new grant programs to help small and medium-sized businesses recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. ACEnet staff is available to assist you with our various business counseling services and with any Covid relief grant applications. Please email your needs to info@acenetworks.org and you will be connected with a staff member who can assist you. |
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The Food & Beverage Establishment Grant program will provide grants of $10-$30,000 to for-profit restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and other food and beverage businesses that have been open since 12/01/2019 & have at least 1 physical location in Ohio. This includes food service contractors; caterers; mobile food services, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, etc.
The business must be in good standing with the Ohio Secretary of State, the Ohio Dept. of Taxation, and any other governmental entity charged with regulating the business.
The amount of individual grants to eligible businesses will be determined by the business’ loss of revenue in 2020, which must be at least 10% to qualify for the grant program.
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The New Small Business Grant program will provide grants of $10,000 to for-profit small businesses that were established between 1/01/2020 & 12/31/2020, have at least two and no more than 25 Ohio employees paid via W2 wages as of 1/01/2021, have a physical location in Ohio and experienced revenue loss or unplanned costs because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The business must be in good standing with the Ohio Secretary of State, the Ohio Dept. of Taxation, and any other governmental entity charged with regulating the business.
Nonprofits & small businesses that previously received the Small Business Relief Grant are not eligible.
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Farmers markets provide an opportunity for local farmers to earn income while giving others access to fresh and healthy food. This exchange strengthens the culture of community, building a sense of trust, support, and friendship.
Do you have an idea for amazing products to sell at the farmers market, but find yourself wondering, “How do I start?” ACEnet is offering a free Farmers Market Toolkit online to walk you through the process from startup & production to choosing the right Farmers Market for you, designing your market booth and marketing your products.
“By providing resources like this toolkit we’re able to simultaneously help small businesses grow and increase healthy food access in our region,” explained Meggan Loveland, ACEnet’s Programs & Communications Coordinator.
This toolkit is supported by the USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program [BFRDP] & the Ohio CDC Association AmeriCorps VISTA Grant program.
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In early 2021 HOPE partners in the Mid-Ohio Valley were awarded funding from ARC's INSPIRE Initiative to improve pathways to employment for individuals impacted by substance use disorders. Come learn about current work, future plans, and see presentations from project partners and community members working to address critical workforce development challenges in our region. More details to come! |
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Saturdays, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Wednesdays, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM; vulnerable population 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
The Athens Farmers Market takes place year round on Saturday and from mid-April up to Thanksgiving on Wednesday at the Market on State Shopping Mall. For more information & information on becoming a vendor, see the Athens Farmers Market website.
Saturdays, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
The Meigs County Farmers Market is open from May 1st until the end of October in the levee parking lot (Main Street). For more information & information on ecoming a vendor, see the Meigs County Farmers Market website.
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UpBeat: Activities for Older Adults |
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Have you heard of UpBEAT? A program sponsored by OhioHealth O'Bleness Hospital in Athens, Ohio, UpBEAT offers free programs for those in our community 55 years and older.
In July, UpBEAT be offering the UpBEAT History Group and Food for Thought program in a hybrid fashion. Members will have the opportunity to attend the History Group or Food for Thought program from their home or in-person. RSVP is required to attend either of these programs in-person, as there is a limit to the number of attendees.
July UpBEAT will teach about birds that bring music to our ears and will have a special program with Evie Miller, author of Shadows. There is also a book club, singing group, and exercise class for members to participate in (all virtual opportunities). If you're 55+, connect with UpBEAT! https://www.ohiohealth.com/health-and-wellness/upbeat-program-athens You can also call Caitlin Bond, UpBEAT Program Coordinator, at (740) 566-4680 for more info or to receive the UpBEAT newsletter.
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Your tax-deductible contribution helps ACEnet expand economic opportunities in the Appalachian Ohio Region! Thank you for your continued interest in and support of what we do here at ACEnet! |
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Sincerely,
h
Meggan Loveland
Appalachian Center for Economic Networks
94 Columbus Rd, Athens, OH 45701
(740) 592-3854
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