Posted June 17, 20214:04 pm
We provided this update on local events, community updates, and other newsworthy items to to our partners and public officials.
If you are on-staff at a local organization or government agency, please email us with a request to join the mailing list. Include your name, title, organization and email in the note. You will then begin receiving Legal Aid's bi-weekly updates.
Juneteenth
Legal Aid is closed on Friday, June 18th to commemorate the Juneteenth holiday. Juneteenth celebrates June 19th, 1865, which was the day when the last enslaved African Americans (in Galveston, Texas) were told by Union troops that the Civil War was over and the institution of slavery was abolished.
There are multiple public events that celebrate Juneteenth on Saturday, June 19th around greater Cleveland, including the Juneteenth Freedom Fest downtown on Mall-C, which features a live performance from Karamu House, the oldest African American theater in the country. The Juneteenth Freedom Fest’s website features further events around the area that celebrate the holiday as well.
In Lorain County, Lorain County Metroparks and Elyria/Lorain YWCA are hosting the seventh annual Juneteenth Bluesfest, which features live music and a COVID-19 vaccination pop-up opportunity.
City Club Forum: From Incarceration to Advocacy: A new Approach to Criminal Justice Reform
Legal Aid is a proud sponsor of this inaugural Charles R. See Forum on Re-Entry City Club forum on Friday, June 18th from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Lake County: Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority – Housing Choice Vouchers Waitlist Opening June 16th
Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority (LMHA) will accept online pre-applications for the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) starting Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. through Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
LMHA will place 1,500 people on the HCVP waiting list. If more than 1,500 people complete pre-applications, LMHA will use a lottery system to select people for the waiting list.
Housing Choice Voucher pre-applications can be found on lakehousing.org starting at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, along with instructions and more information.
According to LMHA, the online pre-application is accessible to those with limited English proficiency through Google Translate. Seniors and persons with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation or require assistance submitting a pre-application can call 440-354-3347 x23. TDD/TTY 711 or 800-750-0750.
NEOBH Anti-Racism Survey
The Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition is involved in work around racism in hospital settings. NEOBH is surveying the community about personal experiences with discrimination in medical settings and wants to hear from you. Please complete the online survey by clicking the link below and share the link with your network via email and social media.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PR2BWKP
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) update:
Ohio has announced that it will stop providing the additional $300/week pandemic unemployment benefit on June 26, 2021. Legal Aid’s Worker Information Line remains open 24/7 to field questions about employment and unemployment compensation. Workers can call 216-861-5899 in Cuyahoga County or 440-210-4532 in Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake and Lorain Counties and leave a message at any time. Callers should clearly state their name, phone number and a brief description of their employment/unemployment compensation question. A Legal Aid staff member will return the call between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Calls are returned within 1-2 business days.
Reminder: Cuyahoga County Consumer Debt Defense Program
Legal Aid and the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court have teamed up to lead a new Consumer Debt Defense program offering free legal assistance to those struggling with debt. For more information, contact the Court Resource Center at 216-443-8204 or email: courtinfo@cuyahogacounty.us. Click here for a printable flyer to share, too!
Legal Aid at the Library: LIVE on Facebook
Tuesday, June 29 @ 5:00 pm
Join us for our monthly Facebook live with Cleveland Public Library! This month’s session focuses on new services and library access via tech hubs and virtual meeting rooms. You'll learn all about Legal Aid's Tenant Info Line, Worker Info Line and our growing Access to Justice work.
Click here for the Facebook event.
Virtual Partner Training – Employment Matters
July 9 @ 9:00 am
Do you serve clients with questions about employment issues? On July 9th, Legal Aid’s employment attorneys will host a virtual training via Zoom focused on:
- The process of sealing a criminal record
- Obtaining a Certificate of Qualification for Employment (CQE)
- The basics of federal and state employment discrimination laws
- And more!
Click here to learn more and to register. Application pending for free continuing education credits for social workers.
Life & The Law – Conversations About Your Rights
July 15 @ 10:00 am
Legal Aid will join Our Voices Today, WOVU 95.9 FM's signature community affairs program, for a conversation with host and WOVU Production Director T.C. Lewis. Legal Aid staff will share empowering legal information and answer listener questions. Visit this link to stream the conversation through your web browser.
NEXT GEN RTA System Redesign
Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority launched its Next Gen RTA system redesign on June 13th. Ride for free through June 19th as the system rolls out. According to GCRTA, NEXT GEN RTA will allow riders to "enjoy shorter wait times [and] better connections between neighborhoods and more one-seat trips." Find out more information about route changes at www.riderta.com/nextgen.
Ashtabula County Summer Food Service Program
Ashtabula County Community Action Agency is sponsoring the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which runs from June 14th through August 6th and provides free meals to low-income children through age 18. No enrollment or eligibility is required. Find the SFSP schedule and more details here.
Tenant Information Line
As always, Legal Aid’s Tenant Information Line is available 24/7 for renters with questions about housing law. Tenants can call 216-861-5955 or 440-210-4533 with a question, leave a message with their name and phone number, and Legal Aid will call back within 1-2 business days. This service is available for Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Lorain counties. Click here to learn more.
The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
1223 West Sixth Street
Cleveland, OH 44113