WORD

• WORD

•

government & nonprofit news

Commemorative cowbell at the Marry Durham event in downtown Durham NC

Add your program/service

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Central North Carolina chapter: 4737 University Dr, Bldg 3,

919-489-6541, website

Learn how to save a life and gain other skills that can come in handy in an emergency; after going to the website, click on “Training & Certification” and then “Take a Class”:

Adult CPR/AED Skills Session-R.21—Friday, September 8, 9–10:15am, classroom, $42

Adult CPR/AED-BL-R.21—Friday, September 8, 9–10:15am, online + classroom, $84
Adult First Aid/CPR/AED Skills Session-R.21—Friday, September 8, 9–10:30am, classroom, $62
Adult First Aid/CPR/AED-BL-R.21—Friday, September 8, 9–10:30am, online + classroom, $105
Adult + Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED Skills Session-R.21—Friday, September 8, 9–11:15am, classroom, $82
Adult + Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED-BL-R.21—Friday, September 8, 9–11:15am, online + classroom, $126

Adult + Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED-BL-R.21—Saturday, September 16, 8:30am–1:30pm, classroom, $125

Adult CPR/AED-R.21—Wednesday, September 20, 9–11:15am, classroom, $84
Adult First Aid/CPR/AED-R.21—Wednesday, September 20, 9am–12:30pm, classroom, $105
Adult + Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED-R.21—Wednesday, September 20, 9am–2pm, classroom, $126.

Here are some online-only classes; click here to sign up and to see more classes:

Adult, Child, and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED—$37
Adult CPR/AED—$37
Adult First Aid/CPR/AED—$37
Advanced Child Care Training—$45
Anaphylaxis and Epinephrine Auto-Injector—$35
Babysitting Basics—$45
Bloodborne Pathogens Training for Tattoo Artists—$35
Cat and Dog First Aid—$25
Child and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED—$37
First Aid—$37
First Aid for Opioid Overdoses—$20
First Aid for Severe Bleeding—$30
First Aid for Severe Trauma—$30
Water Safety for Parents and Caregivers—free
Seguridad en el Àgua para Padres y Cuidadores (Water Safety for Parents and Caregivers)—gratis (free)
Until Help Arrives—$40.

* AED = automated external defibrillator

CPR = cardiopulmonary resuscitation

ANIMAL PROTECTION SOCIETY OF DURHAM

2117 E Club Blvd, 919-560-0640, website

APS of Durham (2117 E Club Blvd) offers dog and cat food (and kitty litter) for pet owners in the City of Durham/Durham County facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for more info about the Pet Pantry and the link to the online application. You’ll need to be able to pick up your order after being approved and letting them know when you’re available.

If you’re able to help, you can help APS of Durham by donating funds to one or more of their projects: the Pet Pantry (mentioned above), Adoption Assistance (reduction of adoption fees for people in need; covers exams, deworming, immunizations, microchipping, spay/neuter surgeries, heartworm testing (for dogs), and FLV/FIV testing (for cats)), Spay/Neuter service (lessens overpopulation, which can lead to neglect and abandonment), Heartworm Treatment service (gives dogs a second chance to be adopted), or Tiffany/Lifesaving Medical Treatment (helps provide resources for specialized medical treatment instead of giving up on animals with treatable conditions).

BOOK HARVEST

2501 University Dr, 252-497-2665, website

Need books for your kids? The Book Harvest has outdoor bookshelves filled with culturally inclusive books for young people from preschool through high school age. The shelves are accessible 24/7 and you’re invited to browse and choose books to take home (and keep). You are also welcome to donate like-new books; there’s a large dropoff box right behind the book shelves.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF RALEIGH

2020 Chapel Hill Rd, Suite 30, 919-286-1964, website

Our local Catholic Charities runs the Durham Community Food Pantry in the Lakewood Shopping Center. If you are in need, stop by, register, and if you qualify, receive a week’s worth of groceries to take home. In addition to food, they also have diapers and other supplies (just ask). Once you’re in the system, you can stop by the food pantry once every 30 days. The hours are: Wednesdays 10am–1pm and 5–7pm, and Thursdays 10am–1pm. Services are offered in both English and Spanish. Call for more info.

CITY OF DURHAM

Click on the calendar below to see all of the City of Durham committee, subcommittee, commission, board, and other meetings for the month of September.

The City of Durham encourages interested citizens to serve on the following boards; if you’re interested, file your application by the following deadlines:

Thursday, September 7

Human Relations Commission

Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee

Click here for more info, including the reasons for the vacancies, the expected duties, the meeting schedule, and instructions for filing your application.

CITY OF DURHAM — COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

The City of Durham has just announced its new Durham Down Payment Assistance Program in an effort to expand homeownership. Eligible low-income individuals and families will be able to apply for up to $20,000 to help with those downpayment and closing costs. These are 0% interest loans, which means you pay back only what you receive. To be eligible, the household income must be less than 80% of the area median income (AMI). This city program will be run by the Community Home Trust, a local nonprofit that focuses of affordable housing. The Durham Down Payment Assistance Program is part of the Forever Home Durham Initiative, which is funded from that $95 million affordable-housing bond that was approved in 2019. Click here to visit the website, and contact Ivelisse Mercado at imercado@communityhometrust.org or 919-967-1545 x302 for more info. Help is available in English and Spanish and can be arranged for other languages.

CITY OF DURHAM — PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

The City of Durham’s Stormwater & GIS Services has just announced its Septic to Sewer project. Qualifying City residents can see if they can share the costs of replacing their septic systems with connections to the City’s sewer system. The water quality of local groundwater, creeks, and lakes will be greatly improved as the number of septic systems exist are reduced within the Northeast Creek Watershed. After you’re connected, the responsibility for maintaining your private sewer system will then be transferred to a public utility. If you’re worried that you might not be able to afford to participate in this project, visit the Septic to Sewer information page and look for “Financial Hardship.” You could be eligible for additional funds if you’re already enrolled in a Durham County property tax relief program or if your household income is less than (or equal to) twice the Federal poverty income guidelines (or if it’s less than or equal to Durham County's median household income).

Click here for more info and to apply for this new project. You’ll be able to submit your application online, by mail, or in person.

CITY OF DURHAM — SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

919-560-4186, website

You can drop off Household Hazardous Waste on weekdays 7:30am to 4pm, and Saturdays 7:30am to noon, at 2115 E Club Blvd. They'll take aerosol cans, fire extinguishers (dry chemical only), oil-based paints, cooking oil, used motor oil/petroleum-based products, road flares, lead acid cell batteries (vehicle batteries), antifreeze, pesticides, garden chemicals and fertilizers, gasoline, batteries (alkaline, lithium-ion, nickel metal hydride (NiMH) and nickel cadmium (ni-cad) rechargeable), pool cleaner, household cleansers, stains, varnishes, mercury thermometers, fluorescent light bulbs, and electronic waste (small appliances). If necessary, wrap the containers with newspapers to absorb spills and place them cardboard boxes for safe transport. For individuals only, not commercial users. Call the City of Durham—Environmental Resources Department at 919-560-4381 or visit City of Durham—Household Hazardous Waste for more info.

CITY OF DURHAM—WATER MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

The City’s Department of Water Management is giving away Fat Trapper kits to help keep fats, oils, and grease (including meat juices, salad dressings, and condiments) from clogging up the pipes and causing backups. Included in the kit is a plastic fat trapper receptacle, an aluminum resealable bag, and a metal strainer. Click here to fill out the form for having one mailed to you (you can request a receptacle only, refill bags only, or the whole kit).

One way to save water and lower your water bill is to replace an old toilet (which can use up to 7 gallons per flush) with a modern, efficient one that uses 1.28 gallons or less. The City has a Toilet Rebate Program that rewards the purchase of a High-Efficiency Toilet (HET) with a credit of up to $100 to your water bill. The rebate is restricted to one toilet only, and the toilet must be on the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense list. Apply by providing the original, dated sales receipt/invoice. If you have a plumber handle the purchase and installation of your new toilet, make sure that the invoice is detailed, showing the purchase and the installation cost (because the City will only credit the cost of the toilet itself (up to $100)). Click here for more info and to fill out the application.

DURHAM COUNTY

Click on the calendar to see all of the Durham County committee, commission, advisory council, and other meetings for the month of September.

DURHAM COUNTY—BOARD OF ELECTIONS

201 N Roxboro St, 919-560-0700, website

The 2023 Municipal Primary will be held on Tuesday, October 3, 6:30am–7:30pm. We’ll be voting for mayor and members of the City Council; two mayoral candidates and six for the City Council will then move forward to the Municipal General Election on Tuesday, November 7. The deadline for registering to vote will be Friday, September 15.

If you know that you’ll be out of town or otherwise unavailable to vote on October 3, you’ll be able to vote early starting on Thursday, September 21 at certain polling places. Click here for Early Voting and Same Day Registration. You can choose to vote by mail by requesting a no-excuse absentee-by-mail ballot on or before October 3. Click here to see how to make your request by mail or online. When you vote by mail, you’ll still be able to track your vote to make sure it’s been counted.

We now have to show a current photo ID in order to vote (those who vote by mail will have to provide a clear photocopy of their ID). Here’s a list of photo Ids that you can use; be sure to have it with you when you go vote; each can be used if unexpired or if the ID expired less than 1 year ago. Voters over age 65 can use an expired ID if it was still good on their 65th birthday:

North Carolina driver’s license
US passport or US passport card
State ID (the non-driver version of photo ID from the DMV, which you can get for free
Official college/university ID
Official charter-school employee ID
State/local government employee ID
Driver’s license or non-driver photo ID from another state, Washington DC, or other US territory (only if you registered in North Carolina within 90 days of election).

If you’d like to get a free photo ID from the Durham County Board of Elections, stop by during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5pm) before the start of Early Voting (September 21). Provide your name, date of birth, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and then have your photo taken. Under normal circumstances, you should be able to get your card the same day; sometimes county staff will say that they’ll mail your card to you or have you pick it up at a later date. Your free voter photo ID will be good for 10 years. Click here for more info.

DURHAM COUNTY—DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

414 E Main St, 919-560-7600, website

Durham County has a COVID-19 Resource Line that you can call to ask questions about COVID testing, back-to-work and back-to-school guidance, face masks, vaccine incentives, and to set COVID vaccine appointments. Call 919-560-9217.

DURHAM COUNTY—DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

414 E Main St, 919-560-8000, website

DSS has launched the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) to help keep water service from being disconnected because homeowners fell behind in paying their bills. If you’re already receiving Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or Work First services, or you benefited from the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) between October 2020 and September 2021, you’re already eligible to participate in this program. Everyone else can get the ball rolling by picking up an application at the information kiosk outside the DSS office (414 E Main St). You can also call 919-560-8000 or click here to apply online. Jump on this immediately if you’re in danger of having your water cut off, if it’s already disconnected, or if you currently have an outstanding water bill.

DSS has a mobile app, which you can use to complete and send applications for Food & Nutrition Services, Work First benefits, and Medicaid. You can also send documents for Crisis/Emergency Assistance applications. Grab your cell phone and go to dssmobile.dconc.gov. You’ll need to enter your date of birth and either your social security number or county case number. The DSS Mobile App is a secure website. By using the camera on your cell phone, you’ll be able to “Click It! Snap It! Send It!” and save lots of time and effort.

DURHAM COUNTY—EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

website

This department makes sure that residents of Durham County who register for AlertDurham get notifications about severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons, and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods. When you register, you can choose your mobile phone, home phone, email, or text; you can even choose the order you receive notifications (for example, text first, mobile phone second, etc). For the weather alerts, you can set quiet times so the calls won’t wake you up. If you subscribe to a call-blocking system (by AT&T, Verizon, Nomorobo, CenturyLink, etc), be sure to add 919-560-0660 to your approved caller list. Visit the website to register for AlertDurham emergency notifications.

DURHAM COUNTY EMS (EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES)

201 E Main St, Suite 660, 919-560-8285

Durham County EMS (Emergency Medical Services) offers free Vials of LIFE (Lifesaving Information for Emergencies) to anyone who wants to make sure that vital information can easily be found during emergencies. It’s a great way to help ensure that you and your loved ones are protected in times of medical emergencies.

Each Vial of LIFE kit is made up of one labeled bottle (approximately 3 inches tall with a screw-on cap—it looks like an oversized prescription bottle), an instruction sheet, a special business-card-sized magnet and a form to fill out with the following information: Name, address, phone number, date of birth, Social Security number, hospital preference, medical history (there’s a list of conditions including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, depression, plus a blank space), other medical history/assistive devices, allergies (to medications or otherwise), doctor’s name and phone, advanced directives (like DNR (Do Not Resuscitate), etc), space for listing medications and dosages, health insurance policy info, emergency contacts (names and phone numbers), and a space for additional information.

After filling out the form, you should fold or roll it up, put it in the bottle, and screw the cap on. Then place the bottle somewhere on the top or condiment shelf of your refrigerator so it can be found easily and stick the magnet on the refrigerator door. If EMS is called to your home, they’ll know to check your refrigerator for a Vial of LIFE magnet, which will then lead them to the Vial of LIFE bottle inside. Emotions can run high, people can get confused, and it’s so important to have one place where vital information can be accessed quickly.

You can get a set for yourself and even get an extra set so you can place a bottle in your vehicle‘s glove compartment. And if you have a family or live with someone, consider getting a Vial of LIFE set for each person (especially for elderly members of your family).

You can pick up your free Vials of LIFE at the Durham County EMS office; call first to make sure they have them in stock. If you can’t stop by, you can order kits by calling Durham One Call (919-560-1200) or via the Durham One Call app, and your order will be mailed to you.

DURHAM COUNTY LIBRARY

website

The Main Library has had its grand opening, and now all of the libraries are open during regular hours (see below)*. Be sure to have your face mask ready. The meeting and study rooms, water fountains, and one-on-one computer help are unavailable at this time, and in-person programming (special events) aren’t in the works just yet. (You can still visit the website and put books, CDs, and DVDs on reserve to be picked up later.)

Main Library—300 N Roxboro St, 919-560-0100
East Regional Library—211 Lick Creek Ln, 919-560-0203
North Regional Library—221 Milton Rd, 919-560-0231
South Regional Library—4505 S Alston Ave, 919-560-7410
Southwest Regional Library—3605 Shannon Rd, 919-560-8590
Stanford L Warren Branch Library—1201 Fayetteville St, 919-560-0270 (closed for extensive repairs through early 2023)
Bragtown Family Literacy Center—3200 Dearborn Dr, 919-560-0210.

Here are the current walk-in hours:

Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays 9:30–8pm (all libraries except Bragtown)
Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 9:30am–6pm (all libraries except Bragtown)
Bragtown hours: Mondays 1–8pm; Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 10am–6pm.

* Stanford L Warren is closed for extensive repairs and is scheduled to reopen in early 2023.

DURHAM CRISIS RESPONSE CENTER

206 N Dillard St, 919-403-6562 (English), 919-519-3735 (español), website:

Anyone experiencing domestic or sexual violence can always have someone to talk to, and when ready, can get help with taking steps to finding a solution. These helplines are available 24/7; if email is preferred, write to crisisline@durhamcrisisresponse.org.

DURHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT

602 E Main St, emergency 911, nonemergency 919-560-4600, Crimestoppers 919-560-1300, website

A rash of vehicle thefts—mostly Hyundais—has made the news lately, thanks to instructions being shared on social media (and the fact that the manufacturer decided to save money by skipping a couple of steps). Hyundai Motor America recently donated 120 steering wheel locks to the Durham Police Department to donate to local Hyundai owners to help deter future thefts (model years 2011 to 2022). Call first to make sure they haven’t all been given away already.

This year, National Night Out will be observed on Tuesday, October 3. Neighborhoods, businesses, and community groups that plan to put on their own events (block parties, ice cream socials, food or school-supply drives, etc) can register and list them with the Durham Police Department. Click here to register your event by Sunday, September 3. (Start the process as soon as possible; the registration packet is sent out by mail.)

The PAC (Partners Against Crime) meetings, where you can share information on what’s happening in your community, learn about City and County programs, services, and events, have continued online during the pandemic with virtual meetings on Zoom. (Click here and type in your address if you’re not sure which police district you live in.)

Here’s the PAC meeting schedule:

PAC 1—in person only; 3rd Saturday (September 16), 10am; Holton Career & Resource Center (401 N Driver St, in the 2nd-floor auditorium)
PAC 2—in person and online; 2nd Monday (September 11), 6pm; Edison Johnson Recreation Center (500 Murray Ave); click here to attend via Zoom
PAC 3—in person and online; 2nd Saturday (September 9), 10am; Lyon Park Recreation Center (1309 Halley St); click here to attend via Zoom
PAC 4—in person and online; 2nd Saturday (September 9), 10am; IR Holmes Sr/Campus Hills Recreation Center (2000 S Alston Ave); click here to attend via Zoom
PAC 5—in person and online; 2nd Saturday (September 9), 10am; IR Holmes Sr/Campus Hills Recreation Center (2000 S Alston Ave); click here to attend via Zoom.

You can send a request via email to subscribe to your local PAC’s listserv; write for more info and to have your questions answered:

PAC 1: James Chavis; write to pac.district1@gmail.com
PAC 2: Bryan Galloway and Rebecca Redd-Jolly; write to PAC2LeadershipTeam@gmail.com; subscribe to the Pac2Durham Facebook page; click here to visit the PAC 2 website
PAC 3: Mindy Solie and Daryl Mount; write to PAC3LeadershipTeam@gmail.com
PAC 4: Harold Chestnut and LaManda Pryor; write to DurhamDistrict4PAC@gmail.com
PAC 5: Harold Chestnut and LaManda Pryor; write to DurhamDistrict4PAC@gmail.com.

DURHAM TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE’s SMALL BUSINESS CENTER

Chesterfield Building, 701 W Main St, Suite 203, 919-536-7241 x4505, website

Durham Tech’s Small Business Center offers classes, seminars, and webinars for aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs who want to ensure their success in business. Here are some of the free, in-person seminars:

HR Series, pt 2: Onboarding and Developing New Employees—Tuesday, September 19, noon–1:30pm; click here for more info and to register

HR Series, pt 3: Employee Handbook—Tuesday, September 26, 6–7:30pm; click here for more info and to register
How to Open a Nonprofit and Guide to IRS Form 1023—Thursday, September 28, 11am–1pm; click here for more info and to register
Basics of Bookkeeping—Friday, September 29, 11am–12:30pm; click here for more info and to register
How to Start a Business—Tuesday, October 3, noon–1:30pm; click here for more info and to register.

And here are free online webinars from small-business centers across the state that you can attend virtually; click here to see more:

Artificial Intelligence, pt 2: Practical AI Tools for Small Business—Monday, September 18, 2–3:30pm; click here for more info and to register

Your Small Business Taxes—Monday, September 18, 6–7:30pm; click here for more info and to register
Financing Your Small Business—Monday, September 18, 6–8pm; click here for more info and to register
Finding Your Customer and Create a Marketing Plan—Tuesday, September 19, 2–3:30pm; click here for more info and to register
Ponga Su Negocio en la Búsqueda de Google y Maps—Tuesday, September 19, 6–8pm; click here for more info and to register
Finding Your Customer and Create a Marketing Plan—Tuesday, September 19, 6:30–8pm; click here for more info and to register
Leveraging AI-Powered Chatbots to Boost Your Business Content Creation Plan on Social Media—Wednesday, September 20, 2–3:30pm; click here for more info and to register
Low-Budget Marketing and Advertising Your New Business, pt 3: Entrepreneur Academy—Wednesday, September 20, 6–8pm; click here for more info and to register
Money for Fun: How to Turn Your Talent/Hobby into a Small Business—Wednesday, September 20, 6:30–7:30pm; click here for more info and to register
How to Maximize Social Media for Your Small Business—Thursday, September 21, 2–3pm; click here for more info and to register
Creating the Image and Crafting the Message—Thursday, September 21, 4–6pm; click here for more info and to register
Cash Flow and Sales Forecasting for Beginners—Thursday, September 21, 6–8pm; click here for more info and to register
Project Management: Planning and Development—Friday, September 22, 6–8pm; click here for more info and to register.

EL CENTRO HISPANO

El Centro Hispano, 2000 Chapel Hill Rd, Suite 26a, in the Lakewood Shopping Center, 919-687-4635, website

JÓVENES LÍDERES EN ACCIÓN (Young Leaders in Action) — This program for Hispanic/Latino youth (ages 14 to 18) involves them in activities that are designed to help them develop leadership and increase their chances to go on to further their education or to get meaningful jobs. They will also learn about social and environmental justice, gain some life skills, and get mental health and wellness support as needed. Feel free to write to community specialist Denisse Burgos at dburgos@elcentronc.org.

LEGAL AID OF NORTH CAROLINA

201 W Main St, Suite 400, 919-688-6396 (local)/866-219-5262, website

Legal Aid NC announces the NC Homeowner Assistance Fund for those who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re having trouble paying your mortgage payments and other expenses (such as homeowner Insurance, flood-insurance premiums, homeowners association (HOA) fees, unpaid property taxes, and/or utility payments), can apply for help by calling the Helpline at 866-219-5262 or by visiting the website at nchaf.gov.

Legal Aid NC offers free help to low-income residents in all 100 counties in North Carolina. Here are some of their programs:

Legal Aid Helpline—help with civil (noncriminal) legal problems; call 866-219-5262 weekdays 8:30am–4:30pm and 5:30–8:30pm on Mondays and Thursdays; or apply online.
Senior Legal Helpline—help for those age 60+; call 877-579-7562 weekdays 9am–4pm; or apply online.
NC Navigator Helpline—get help enrolling in affordable health insurance on the Health Insurance Marketplace (HealthCare.gov); call 855-733-3711 weekdays 9am–5pm; or apply online.
Fair Housing Helpline—get help dealing with housing discrimination; call 855-797-3247 weekdays 9am–5pm; or apply online.
Battered Immigrant Helpline—immigrants who are victims of domestic violence can get help; call 866-204-7612 on Tuesdays 3:30–7:30pm and Thursdays 9am–1pm; or apply online.

MEALS ON WHEELS

2522 Ross Rd, 919-667-9424, website

Meals on Wheels delivers food to people who are homebound and/or who can’t prepare their own food (and anyone being newly released from the hospital can get 2 weeks’ worth of food). Instead of daily deliveries, Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers now drop off boxes of five to seven frozen meals for the week. To receive free meals, you have to meet certain qualifications; otherwise you can pay for (or toward) meals via check, credit card, food stamps, or cash ($5 per meal (full price) or $3.80 per meal (with SNAP discount). Click here for more information about services and how to apply. Feel free to call if you have questions or if you need help filling out the application.

If you’d like to volunteer by sorting food and supplies or by being a delivery driver, click here for more info.

NORTH CAROLINA COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

27 Horne St, Raleigh, 919-828-6501, website

The NC Council of Churches’ Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW) initiative is looking for faith communities to apply for grants to help educate their communities/congregations.

Mini-Grants for up to $1,000 are available for houses of worship that can come up with projects that fit into the focus areas of the PHW program, including tobacco cessation and prevention, healthy eating, increasing physical activity, mental health, HIV/AIDS, healthy aging, and the drug-overdose crisis. Your congregation must have submitted a PHW Collaborative Pledge within the past 12 months, and if I read the description correctly, you can apply when submitting your mini-grant application.

Community Grants can be sought by a group of congregations (at least three) that want to work together while identifying a clear need for the project idea they come up with. Each congregation must not have received a mini-grant over the past year, and together the group can receive up to $5,000 for their project. Each must submit a PHW Collaborative Pledge.

BIPOC (Black/Brown, Indigenous, People of Color) Mental Health Grants are also available. Houses of faith serving these communities can apply for funding between $5,000 and 10,000 to use for COVID-19 mental-health efforts.

Click here for more info and for instructions on how to apply.

NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is offering the Hope4NC helpline for people needing mental-health support due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Anyone can get free and confidential emotional support and helpful resources 24/7 via telephone, text, or chat. This service is also available in Spanish. The Hope4NC helpline number is 855-587-3463; click here for more info, to start a chat, send a text message, and to get help in Spanish.

Feel free to explore the NCDHHS’s COVID-19 website here for more resources and information on staying both physically and mentally healthy during the pandemic.

NORTH CAROLINA READING SERVICE

211 E Six Forks Rd, Suite 103, Raleigh, 919-832-5138, website

The North Carolina Reading Service (formerly known as the Triangle Radio Reading Service) helps blind and visually impaired people keep up with the news and entertainment worlds. Volunteers read local news stories, editorials, obituaries, books, and advertisements from a variety of publications. They also read special programs that discuss specific topics like education, tech tips, and legal matters. Users can then listen via their smartphone and tablet apps, the NCRS website, or with any “Alexa”-enabled device.

Listeners who don’t have internet access can borrow specially tuned receivers free of charge. Donations to NCRS help cover the average price of $70 per receiver, and some listeners make donations if they’re able to. Click here to see the various ways of enjoying the broadcasts and to see the list of podcasts included with the service. Visit the website if you’d like to make a monetary donation or if you’d like to be a volunteer reader.

PROJECT BUILD

City of Durham/Durham County, 326 E Main St, 919-560-8580, website

Project BUILD (Building Uplifting and Impacting Lives Daily) is a gang intervention program that endeavors to save young people ages 14 to 21 escape the street life and turn things around. Participants in danger of falling prey to street gangs are offered one-on-one coaching in pro-social behavior, positive decision making, finding opportunities for education and employment, and more. Services are provided by a team with members who specialize in the areas of education, social services, mental health, substance abuse treatment, and criminal justice. Visit the website for more info and to refer someone to this multidisciplinary program.

SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives)

website

SCORE offers free workshops that are designed to help entrepreneurs plan for success and improve their prospects of running successful businesses. The local SCORE office is in Chapel Hill and they serve Orange, Durham, and Chatham counties. Free mentorships and a wealth of resources are also available. Here are the webinars and in-person seminars on offer for this month:

How to Use AI in Your Digital Marketing Strategy—Thursday, September 7, 1pm; virtual; click here for more info and to register
Welcome to Entrepreneurship—Tuesday, September 19, 7–8:30pm; in person at Jewish for Good (1937 W Cornwallis Rd); click here for more info and to register
Introduction to Recordkeeping—Saturday, September 23, 10:30am–noon; in person at Jewish for Good (1937 W Cornwallis Rd); click here for more info and to register

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

The NC Homeowner Assistance Fund is set up to help homeowners who are at risk or in actual danger of facing foreclosure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Act quickly—don’t allow yourself to be put out of your own home. Call 855-696-2423 or click here for details on how to get into this program.