HELP OUR FRIENDS AT CENTRAL COMMUNITY HOUSE HELP

THEY HAVE WRITTEN TODAY: “We hope that you and your family continue to be safe and healthy, as we continue to adjust to the “new normal” way of life due to COVID-19. Central Community House continues to be here, providing for the needs of youth, families, and seniors in the Near East and South Side Neighborhoods. Our staff has remained vigilant through this pandemic, providing remote services, deliveries of food and supplies, safe rides to grocery stores, and virtual experiences.

But even as the State of Ohio begins to reopen, we know that our neighbors will be facing stressful situations and have unique challenges navigating the days ahead…. 

The role of the COVID-19 Task Force will be to increase outreach into the community, provide additional services, reduce isolation, and add supplemental administrative assistance to step up our support to neighbors as the situation evolves through the end of June. Central has already added this capacity through 8 individuals who will be focused on activities such as:

• Increasing reception support to make sure anyone calling can talk to a friendly person who cares, and can be directed to the right resource or service at Central, or in the community.
• Developing and enhancing virtual learning opportunities, events, and activities, supplemented with deliveries of meals, supplies, and pre-made activity packets. Activities will focus on arts and academics for elementary and middle school aged youth, and senior citizens. Check out all of the online activities we’ve created so far at: www.youtube.com/transitarts
• Developing a “curbside concert” model through TRANSIT ARTS to serenade seniors and families with music in the Near East and South Side neighborhoods. Similarly, artists will go into the community to create and display painted portraits of seniors and families (following social distancing guidelines).  We hope these activities can provide happiness, healing, and connection.
• Increased fundraising and marketing support to meet the needs associated with the activities of the task force, and planning to bring volunteer support back to Central once it is safe to do so. This is critical for ensuring Central can continue to remain a stable source of support for the community.

We are also thankful for all of the individual donations made to us during this time.Our work in the community would not be possible without the support of so many giving people.

Most importantly, we encourage you to reach out, even if it is just to say “Hi!”. We want to know how you are doing, and how we could make your life easier amidst our new normal.