The Observation Deck

Our first Spotlight and discussion of the 2011 will feature guest speaker Dr. Henry Ng from the Pride Clinic at the McCafferty Health Center on Thursday January 27th, 1pm-2:30pm at the Lakewood Library, Main Branch.

MetroHealth's Pride Clinic at the McCafferty Health Center is the first clinic in the region and one of only 12 health centers in the country devoted to serving the health needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. We hope that you will join us in January for this important discussion. For more information on Pride Clinic at the McCafferty Health Center [url]visit http://www.metrohealth.org/body.cfm?id=2410[/url].

February’s meeting of the Lakewood Family Collaborative on Thursday, February 23rd, 2012 at the Women’s Pavilion at 1 p.m. will spotlight the Housing Research & Advocacy Center (the Housing Center), a fair housing agency. Mandy Mehlman, Fair Housing Community Educator, will be presenting issues facing the community regarding housing discrimination and services offered by the Housing Center.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimates that two million instances of housing discrimination occur on an annual basis. However, less than 1% of people who experience discrimination file a complaint. The difference in the actual number of cases of discrimination and the number of complaints filed is due in part to the public’s lack of knowledge of both fair housing rights and the complaint process. Over the past two years, the Housing Center has trained nearly 1,000 on fair housing laws. The agency regularly conducts fair housing law seminars and events for landlords, property managers, real estate professionals, social service providers, government officials, community organizations, and Northeast Ohio residents. Free events are listed on the Housing Center website.

This presentation is part of the Lakewood Family Collaborative’s ongoing Spotlight series occurring the fourth Thursday of every month at the Women’s Pavilion from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Free and open to the public, these informative networking events are geared toward area agency and organization professionals, as well as businesses and residents, concerned with the success of Lakewood families.

Lakewood Community Services Center List for Personal Care Items

At the last Collab meeting, members decided to collected personal care items for the many families and individuals in need in the Lakewood and the west side communities. the Lakewood Community Services Center does not receive any funding to provide these items; however, as you can imagine they are very much in demand. Please bring items with you to the February meeting. Here are the items most needed:

Shampoo
Conditioner
Bar soap
Deodorant
Razors
Shave cream
Lotion
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Dishwashing soap
Laundry detergent
Toilet paper



***A message from a Collb Member:

Congratulations to the Collab for volunteering to launch such a worthwhile project. Our family business has the ability to purchase any of the personal, baby, and home care products on the list at wholesale. The products are American-made and eco-friendly. Your purchases would also support a local business.

In order to be assured products will arrive before the February meeting, I would need orders by Saturday morning, Feb 18.

You are welcome to call or email me, Priscilla , with questions. 216 228-8642 or evagroup@cox.net