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As the new school year gets underway, Lucas County Children Services (LCCS) is asking couples and single adults to help children in their community by becoming foster or adoptive parents.
The agency is offering two sessions of its free foster/adoptive parent training classes this fall – Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m., Sept. 4 through Oct. 16 and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 13 through Dec. 1.
To register for the classes, which are required for anyone seeking to become a foster or adoptive parent, call 419-213-3336 or visit www.lucaskids.net.
The agency needs adults and families who can provide loving and stable homes for groups of three or more brothers and sisters, and youth with behavioral, developmental or physical challenges.
Qualifying to be a foster or adoptive parent is easier than most people might think. Applicants:
• Must be at least 18 years of age to adopt; 21 to become a foster parent
• Can be married or single
• Can own or rent a home
• Can work outside the home
• Don’t have to earn a lot of money, just enough to support themselves
• Need a home safety inspection
• Agree to a background check
• Receive free training
• Receive financial support, based on the foster/adoptive child’s needs.
Classic Car & Truck Show
AAA Northwest Ohio will host its 16th Annual Classic Car & Truck Show Aug. 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the AAA Main Office, 7150 W. Central Ave., Toledo.
The event, which is open to the public, will feature roughly 275 classic cars from northwest Ohio and the surrounding areas, oldies music and food from Nick’s World Famous Hot Dogs, Northcoast Deli and Mr. Melon 2.
Spectators and participants will also enjoy a 50/50 raffle and drawings for door prizes. Registration ($10) will be held from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Participants will receive a t-shirt and dash plaque, while supplies last. Admission is free for spectators.
For more information, call (419) 843-1287.
Dream the dream
Tickets for Cameron Mackintosh’s 25th anniversary production of “Les Misérables,” which will be presented Nov. 8 to 18 at the Stranahan Theater, will go on sale Aug. 21 at 10 a.m. by phone and Internet.
Tickets can be purchased at www.theaterleague.org, all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling 1-800-745.3000. The theatre box office will begin selling tickets at 9 a.m. Aug. 22.
Les Misérables kicks off the 2011-2012 Broadway at the Stranahan, which includes “My Fair Lady,” “Jersey Boys” and “Beauty and the Beast.”
Free mammograms
Wood County Hospital is hosting two free mammogram screening events for uninsured men and women who are not able to afford the lifesaving screenings.
The events are scheduled for Aug. 27 between 8 a.m. and noon and Oct. 22 between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.. A physician’s order is required in order to schedule the mammogram.
For more information about the screening event or to schedule a free mammogram , call 419-354-8743 and give the code word “PINK.” Individuals who do not have a family doctor and would like a mammogram can call the Wood County Health District’s Women’s Breast Health Program at 419-352-
8402.
Reaching out
Famine is killing thousands of children in Eastern Africa and rising food prices in Tajikistan are causing many children and their families to suffer.
ISOH/IMPACT is collecting and processing 4.5 million servings of food to ship to its ministry partners in Tajikistan and to the Dadaab refugee camp in Northern Kenya.
Those who wish to help can:
• Join the Bucket Brigade by helping to fill buckets with grain, rice, beans and soup. Volunteers are welcome at the Waterville distribution center Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteer service groups can be scheduled by contacting the ISOH/IMPACT offices.
• Donate new, food-grade 5-gallon buckets with lids. Drop off new or cleaned buckets at the ISOH/IMPACT distribution center located at 905 Farnsworth Rd., Waterville. There is a P.O.D.S. container onsite for 24/7 drop-offs.
• Buy a bucket for famine relief. Just $35 is enough to fill, ship, and distribute 360 servings of life-saving food. Cash and credit card donations may be made online at www.isohimpact.org or sent directly to the ISOH/IMPACT offices at 25182 W. River Rd., Perrysburg, OH 43551.
For more information, visit www.isohimpact.org or call 419-878-8548.
Making the first day of school easier
As the first day of school approaches, the American Academy of Pediatrics offers these tips to help parents ease their children into the new school year:
• Remind your child that she is not the only student who is a bit uneasy about the first day of school. Teachers know that students are anxious and will make an extra effort to make sure everyone feels as comfortable as possible.
• Point out the positive aspects of starting school: It will be fun. She'll see old friends and meet new ones. Refresh her positive memories about previous years, when she may have returned home after the first day with high spirits because she had a good time.
• Find another child in the neighborhood with whom your youngster can walk to school or ride with on the bus.
If you feel it is appropriate, drive your child (or walk with her) to school and pick her up on the first day.
Call for nominees
The Ohio Department of Aging has issued a call for nominations for outstanding older individuals to be inducted into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame.
The hall honors and recognizes the vital role elders play in their communities, across the state and nationwide, while promoting the benefits of active, productive and purposeful living at all points in our lives.
Individuals and organizations interested in nominating a neighbor, colleague, family member or friend may visit www.aging.ohio.gov/news/nominations/ for more information, to submit a nomination or download the nomination form.
Nominees must be age 60 or older and be native-born Ohioans or a resident of the state for at least 10 years. Posthumous nominations will be accepted. The nominee, or a representative of the nominee if he or she is unable, must consent to the nomination. Self-nominations are not accepted.
Nominees will be evaluated on the impact of their current contributions, or a continuation of contributions begun before age 60 in areas of endeavor including, but not limited to arts/literature, business/technology, education, health/fitness, public service/volunteerism or science/medicine.
To learn more and view past inductees, visit www.aging.ohio.gov/news/halloffame/.
Assistance Dogs grant
Assistance Dogs of America, Inc. (ADAI) has received a $10,000 grant from the Animals for Life Foundation to help train therapy dogs for children with autism.
“We are extremely grateful to the Animals for Life Foundation for recognizing the incredible benefits therapy dogs offer to children with autism,” says Jan Fought Brown, executive director. “Over the years, we have witnessed firsthand the benefits that therapy dogs have provided to individuals with autism. The dogs help calm, modify behavior, encourage responsibility, and, most importantly, provide unconditional love and acceptance. An ADAI therapy dog provides emotional support and opens up new opportunities in the lives of children with autism.”
ADAI, located in Swanton, helps children and adults with disabilities achieve greater independence by training and placing service and therapy dogs to assist with the individual's daily needs.
Making the first day of school easier
As the first day of school approaches, the American Academy of Pediatrics offers these tips to help parents ease their children into the new school year:
• Remind your child that she is not the only student who is a bit uneasy about the first day of school. Teachers know that students are anxious and will make an extra effort to make sure everyone feels as comfortable as possible.
• Point out the positive aspects of starting school: It will be fun. She'll see old friends and meet new ones. Refresh her positive memories about previous years, when she may have returned home after the first day with high spirits because she had a good time.
• Find another child in the neighborhood with whom your youngster can walk to school or ride with on the bus.
If you feel it is appropriate, drive your child (or walk with her) to school and pick her up on the first day.
“Apps Against Abuse”
Vice President Joe Biden, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius recently launched the “Apps Against Abuse” technology challenge – a national competition to develop an innovative software application, or “app,” that provides young adults with tools to help prevent sexual assault and dating violence.
“Just as technology is changing the way young people communicate with each other every day, it’s also changing the way young people can protect themselves and their friends from becoming victims of sexual violence,” said Vice President Biden. “This challenge is a chance to empower a new generation to take a stand against violence.”
Young women aged 16-24 experience the highest rates of rape and sexual assault, while one in five will be a victim of sexual assault during college. Many of these assaults occur when the offender, often an acquaintance, has targeted and isolated a young woman in vulnerable circumstances.
Through the “Apps Against Abuse” challenge, developers will be charged with creating an easy-to-use application that provides a targeted way for young women to designate trusted friends, allies, or emergency contacts and provide a means for checking-in with these individuals in real-time, particularly in at-risk situations. The winning application will also provide quick access to resources and information on sexual assault and teen dating violence, as well as where to go for help.
Additional information and submission guidelines are available at http://challenge.gov/HHS/199-apps-against-abuse. The winner of the challenge will be announced in October 2011.
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