news from the AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, 800-227-2345 x1, website:
The Road to Recovery program provides free rides to and from cancer-related treatments for Durham County residents. You need to give at least four business days’ notice, with the date, time, and location of your appointment. This service operates on weekdays, 8am to 5pm, and it relies on volunteer drivers—so if you have the time and ability to offer assistance as a driver, please click here for more information. Drivers might not be able to accommodate physically disabled patients, but it’s usually okay to take a friend/family member who can help you in and out the vehicle. 
news from the 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:
ONLINE CLASSES—These classes can be taken at your convenience after you’ve paid for them:
news from the ANIMAL PROTECTION SOCIETY OF DURHAM, 2117 E Club Blvd, 919-560-0640:
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). 
news from the CITY OF DURHAM:
Click on the calendar to see all of the City of Durham committee, subcommittee, commission, board, and other meetings for the month of March. 
news from the CITY OF DURHAM:
Low-income Durham residents facing eviction can apply for help from Legal Aid of North Carolina and the Duke Civil Justice Clinic. Together they run the City of Durham’s Eviction Diversion Program and have helped hundreds and individuals and families save their homes and apartments. Call Legal Aid NC at either 866-219-5262 or Robbie Breitweiser (in the local office) at 919-688-6396 x4540. Leave a message with your name and the best time to contact you. You’ll get a call back; please note the your phone will show that the caller is using a blocked or unlisted phone number. 
news from the CITY OF DURHAM — SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT:
You can drop off Hazardous Household Waste on Tuesdays and Wednesdays noon to 6pm, Thursdays and Fridays 7:30am to 3pm, and Saturdays 7:30am to 3pm, at 1900 E Club Blvd. They'll take paint, used motor oil, pesticides, fertilizers, pool cleaner, strong cleansers, stains, varnishes, and fluorescent bulbs. 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 Dept at 919-560-4381 or visit City of Durham—Hazardous Waste for more info.
news from the CITY OF DURHAM — WATER MANAGEMENT:
The City is sponsoring the 2021 Water Conservation Poster Contest to help celebrate National Drinking Water Week (which is in May). Kids from kindergarten to the 8th grade are invited to make a poster and send it to the City’s Department of Water Management to show off their skills and share the message of “The Power of Water.” Posters should be 8.5 by 11 inches (sideways). Click here for more information and to learn where to submit the poster design by the Friday, March 26 deadline.
news from the CITY OF DURHAM — WATER MANAGEMENT:
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).
news from the CITY OF DURHAM — WATER MANAGEMENT:
The City has a Water Hardship Fund that can help you catch up with your past-due water bill. You can apply online for up to $240 in assistance (per year) if you have a documented hardship (such as loss of job), have past-due bills, and are in danger of having your water cut off. Click here to fill in an application form. Submit it, and when you’re contacted you might be asked to provide identification, proof of income, and a copy of your water bill. 
news from the CITY OF DURHAM and DURHAM COUNTY:
The City of Durham and Durham County will soon be able to put a combined $9 million in federal funding toward a rental/utilities-assistance program. (The City received $8 million and the County received $1 million and they decided to join forces.) The program will be set up to help people who are unemployed, have had their pay cut, in danger of becoming homeless, and those who have household incomes at or below 80% of the AMI (area median income, which in Durham is a bit more than $80,000/year for a household of three). They’re working on the program and are planning to start accepting applications in mid- to late-March. More details are coming soon--stay tuned. 
news from the DUKE HEART CENTER:
Duke Heart and the American Heart Association are cosponsoring Simple Cooking with Heart especially for grandfamilies (a grandparent (or other family member) bringing up their grandkids). This free 4-week program will take place on Thursdays (March 4, 11, 18, and 25) from 5:30 to 7pm. Twelve lucky grandfamilies will receive recipe ingredients each week and will then attend a cooking class online and have fun learning how to prepare an easy healthy meal together. They’ll also get helpful nutrition, health-related, and money-saving tips. Click here for more info and to register. 
news from the DURHAM COUNTY, 414 E Main St, 919-560-8000, website:
Click on the calendar to see all of the Durham County committee, commission, advisory council, and other meetings for the month of March.
news from the DURHAM COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, 414 E Main St, 919-560-8000:
LIEAP (the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program) is a federally funded program that provides a one-time payment for eligible households having trouble (or anticipating having trouble) keeping up with their heating bills. To apply, you need to be a USA citizen, meet the income requirements, have reserves at or below $2,250, and must be responsible for paying the heating bill. You’ll have to get some paperwork together: Current photo ID, lease/rental agreement, valid Social Security card or number, wage stubs/tax forms, documents regarding unearned income, tax records, and copies of your heating bills. You should be able to send information via email or fax, or use the dropbox right outside 414 E Main St. To get the ball rolling, contact a LIEAP specialist at 919-560-8192 to make a virtual appointment. Click here if you prefer to apply online. Be sure to act by the Wednesday, March 31 deadline.
news from the DURHAM COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, 414 E Main St, 919-560-8000, website:
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.
news from the DURHAM COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, 414 E Main St, 919-560-8000, website:
DSS is now accepting applications for the North Carolina Housing Opportunity and Prevention of Evictions (HOPE) program. Low- and moderate-income renters whose jobs were affected by COVID-19 can get rent and utility assistance to keep them from losing their apartments/homes and having their utilities cut off. This is a federally funded program (carried out by HUD (Housing and Urban Development). Rent assistance is paid directly to the landlord, including overdue and future payments, for up to 6 months. When you apply, you must be at least one month behind in paying your rent. Same procedure with utility payments (such as electricity, water, sewer/wastewater, and natural gas/propane). Start by calling 2-1-1. You’ll be screened and hopefully referred to Social Services (DSS) to complete the application process. If you prefer to do this online, go to nc211.org/hope. (Click here for Spanish.) Please keep in mind that you can only get help from a federally funded program at a time. If you’re already participating in a similar program, you can’t sign up for this one.
news from DURHAM COUNTY FIRE & RESCUE:
Durham County Fire & Rescue offers a free service where you can have someone carefully check over the child seat that you use in your car or van. There's no industry standard when it comes to their operation and installation and parents are often surprised to find out that they haven’t installed their child seat correctly. The Durham Fire Department no longer offers this service but three of the County stations do:
Be sure to call to make an appointment. 
news from DURHAM COUNTY LIBRARY, website:
The Durham County Library is starting to gear up for reopening. Library customers can now log in to their accounts or call 919-560-0103 to place a hold on books/CDs/DVDs and then pick them up. Materials can be searched (when you know what you’re looking for) or browsed. All of the libraries (including the Main Library!) will be open for material pickups Tuesdays through Fridays 11am–6pm and Saturdays 10am–2pm. If you don’t have a library card, click here and get a temporary, online digital card that will allow you to take out books and materials. 
news from the 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 help with taking steps to finding a solution. These helplines are available 24/7; if email is preferred, write to crisisline@durhamcrisisresponse.org. 
news from DURHAM TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE, 1637 E Lawson St, website:
Durham Tech acts as a safety net by providing training that leads directly to jobs. Short-term courses in the Durham Tech Back-to-Work Initiative can arm students with the skills they need to get new jobs and get a start in a profession in a growing industry. You might qualify for a GEER (Governor’s Emergency Education Relief) Scholarship, which can provide up to $750 or the cost of the course (whichever is more). Upcoming courses are available in these areas: BioPharma Lab Skills, Carpentry, Community Health Worker, Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management, HVAC (Heating and Cooling), Mental Health Technician, Nurse Aide, Information Technology, Natural Hair Care, Peer Support Specialist, and Phlebotomy. Click here to learn more about the Durham Tech Back-to-Work Initiative, and click here for more info about GEER Scholarships. Act now—classes start the second week of January. Durham Tech is served by GoDurham #8.
news from DURHAM TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE, 1637 E Lawson St, website:
Durham Technical Community College will hold an Electrical Line Technician Continuing Education course on weekdays, 8:30am–4pm, starting Monday, January 11. This course will prepare men and women who want entry-level jobs as electrical line technicians, which are needed by private and public utility companies. You’ll need to have a Commercial Driver’s License Class A Permit. Those who don’t have one will have to take a class (offered by Durham Tech) and pass the exam for getting one before taking this course. This course has already been paid for by a grant from Duke Energy, so it’s being offered free of charge. For more info, click here to complete a signup form. Contact Donna Littleton at 919-536-7200 x4407 or littletond@durhamtech.edu if you have any questions. UPDATE: The Electrical Line Tech course filled up quickly! The next session will start in mid-March. If you don’t have your CDL Class A Permit, then you should consider signing up for that class, which starts in February. Click here to explore other Continuing Education opportunities. 
news from 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 a few of the free seminars. Additional free seminars from small business centers across the state are listed here:
GoDurham and GoTriangle are offering free shared rides to and from your COVID-19 vaccination appointments. Call GoDurham at 919-560-1551 or GoTriangle at 919-485-7582 to schedule your ride at least 24 hours in advance.
news from the NASHER MUSEUM OF ART AT DUKE UNIVERSITY, 2001 Campus Dr, website:
The Nasher is still closed to visitors for now, but they’re offering free memberships (for a limited time). Gain access to members-only virtual talks and exhibits; get a free subscription to the museum’s e-newsletter, AND get access to hundreds of museums from across the country! If you’re interested, click here to apply for your free membership, and do it soon. 
news from the NATIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE FOR THE BLIND AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, a service of the Library of Congress, Washington DC:
The National Library Service, in cooperation with libraries across the country, hosts the That All May Read program. People with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical disability that keeps them from reading or holding a book can have braille or audio books delivered to them free of charge. You can choose physical books or free downloads. Click here to get started. 
news from NCWORKS NEXTGEN, 112 Broadway St:
The NCWorks NextGen program is looking for referrals of young people ages 17 to 24 who are seeking work experience internships, paid classroom training, or job opportunities. Their aim is to help those in the most need, for example, those who are pregnant or parenting, involved (now or in the past) with the justice system, homeless, high school dropout, or low-income or laid off due to COVID-19. Young people can’t sign themselves up—they must be referred by an agency or organization. Contact NCWorks Next Gen/Eckerd Connects area manager Alexis Franks at 984-209-3100 or afranks@eckerd.org for more info, and click here to refer someone. 
news from the NEHEMIAH CHRISTIAN CENTER, 514 Mangum St, 919-688-4203, website:
The Nehemiah Christian Center dispenses Free Bag Lunches Tuesday through Thursday, noon–1pm, and on Fridays, 10am–noon, and on Saturdays, 10am–noon, there’s The Big Give Back Grocery Giveaway. Curbside and at-the-door service are available. Visit Nehemiah’s Facebook page to see other programs, as well as virtual church services in both English and Spanish (Nehemias Espíritu de Vida). 
news from the NEW VISIONS OF AFRICA RESTAURANT, 1306 Fayetteville St:
The New Visions of Africa Community announces their participation in the United States Department of Agriculture’s Child and Adult Care Food Program. Locally, this program is run under the Durham Health and Human Services through their Child and Adult Care Food Program. Free snacks and meals will be distributed on weekday afternoons to people in need from 3 to 6pm. Grocery giveaways are held on Tuesdays at 12:30pm; be sure to sign in by noon. Contact Marcia Hargrove at community@nvoac.org for more info. Please note that you won’t be served if you’re not wearing a face mask. 
news from the NORTH CAROLINA COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, website:
The North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence has chosen a local firm, ETR Services, to help with a study measuring the health impacts of paid-leave policies. They’d like to interview self-identified survivors and victims of intimate-partner violence, government workers, and shift workers about their experiences trying to balance work and parenting. To be eligible, the interviewees must have worked and raised children in North Carolina within the past 3 years. Interviews will take from an hour to 90 minutes in English by phone or Zoom and will be absolutely confidential. Each person being interviewed will receive $50. The data collected will be compiled and used to advocate for stronger workplace protections and support for NC workers. Contact Jen Gathings at jen.gathings@etrservices.org or 910-574-1857 for more info and to see if you’re eligible to participate in this study. 
news from the NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, website:
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with the Child Care and Resource and Referral System, can help parents/caregivers find childcare for schoolage children (infants through age 12). Call 888-600-1685 and talk with a specialist who can provide referrals to licensed childcare providers that have vacancies. 
news from the NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, website:
Just a reminder that supplemental nutrition WIC benefits don’t roll over from month to month. Be sure to use up all of the benefits you’ve been given every month. You can download the Bnft app from the App Store (for iOS) or Google Play (for Android) to make sure that you never miss eWIC account updates. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announces an app, SlowCOVIDNC, which can let you know if you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Of course, this only works if people who have tested positive submit their results for use of the makers of this app. Ideally, SlowCOVIDNC will play a part in slowing the spread of the virus. 
news from OPERATION MEDICINE DROP, website:
Formed by a partnership of Safe Kids North Carolina, the Riverkeepers of North Carolina, NC State Bureau of Investigation, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of North Carolina, and local law enforcement agencies, Operation Medicine Drop is an initiative that helps people safely dispose of expired and unused medications. A common practice is to flush them down the toilet, but that poisons the waters and endangers wildlife. Simply tossing them in the trash is also a bad idea. Someone could come along, fish them out, and use them as recreation drugs. A large percentage of overdoses and other drug-related problems are actually due to the abuse of over-the-counter medications (some of which have been improperly disposed of). Operation Medicine Drop provides safe dropoff points for those who want to get rid of their old medications easily and safely. Here are the Durham locations:
news from the RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, Durham Technical Community College:
RSVP of Durham County will again offer their free VITA Tax Preparation service, but this year everything will be virtual. Low- to moderate-income taxpayers (under $55,000/year) can have their 1040s done free of charge between Monday, February 1 and Saturday, April 10. You can choose the 100% virtual experience, or you might want to drop off your materials, or you can do it yourself with help available via phone. Write to VITA@DurhamTech.edu or call 919-536-7247 for more information and to find out what materials you’ll need to file. 
from SCORE (Service Corps Of Retired Executives), website:
SCORE offers free, live webinars 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 on offer for this month:
news from the SOUTH DURHAM FARMERS MARKET, website
If you’ve been thinking about joining the South Durham Farmers Market, now’s the name to put in your application. The market is open from 8am to noon (winter hours are 9am to noon) on Saturdays in the Greenwood Shopping Center (5510 Hwy 55). Vendors sell all kinds of food (fresh produce and prepared foods), flowers, plant starts, and there are a few craftspersons as well. Click here for more info and to submit your application. 
news from TOGETHER FOR RESILIENT YOUTH (TRY), website
TRY (Together for Resilient Youth) has access to resources and wants to help people in Durham, Craven, Franklin, Granville, Vance, and Warren counties. You might feel isolated, need quarantine supplies, have COVID-19 symptoms, are just might need someone to talk to. Write to NCAHHH@aol.com and say that you’d like to fill out a Referral Request for anything mentioned above or if you need financial help for rent, utilities, food, or transportation. Ask about the 14-day COVID-19 kit. TRY is working in partnership with the NC Department of Health and Human Services, COVID Social Support, Curamerica Global, and Duke University. 
news from the NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MINORITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT “THE INSTITUTE” / WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER OF NORTH CAROLINA 114 W Parrish St, 2nd floor, 919-956-8889, website
The WBCNC offers free webinars for entrepreneurs (the information is useful for all). Here are some of the upcoming webinars; visit the website and get familiar with their services, including one-on-one counseling:
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