Latest news with #communityresources
CBS News
17-07-2025
- General
- CBS News
$18 million invested in new library in Baltimore's Park Heights community
A new library is coming to the Park Heights neighborhood in Baltimore. Mayor Brandon Scott said it's an area that hasn't had an open library in over two decades. The city's Board of Estimates approved an $18.6 million contract to start construction on the new library. According to the Enoch Pratt Free Library website, the new library will be located on the corner of Park Heights and Woodland avenues. It will include a children's reading room, multi-purpose assembly space, and access to computer spaces and Wi-Fi. "This is going to be a state-of-the-art library for the entire city where we can get resources for any subject," said Council Vice-President Sharon Green Middleton. "This is an investment that's personal for me, as someone who grew up in Park Heights at a time when the library was closed," Scott said. "Years later, as mayor, I'm proud that I'm able to deliver on historic projects like this one, not just libraries, but community resources like schools, parks, rec centers, and pools that make our city a better place to live and grow up." Raiza Rahim, a Parks Heights resident, said many people still remember the library when it was open. She said she loves to read a good book. "I know you guys don't like books, y'all like the internet," she said. "But there's still people who come and like to go to the library." Rahim also enjoys the events library staff put together for community members. She no longer has to think about what she and her neighbors don't have. She's focused on what's to come — a brand new library. "I was just telling my grandson the other day because I have a lot of books," Rahim said. "He said, 'Grandma, why are you keeping all these books?' I said, 'I'm waiting for the library to be built. Then, I'm going to donate it to them." Rahim said she's excited to see construction begin on the new library. She thinks it will aid in improving the Park Heights area. "When I was a little girl, my father used to ride us to pick up my aunt from work," Rahim said. "We used to come up to Park Heights. We always said, 'We're going to live in this house. We're going to live in that house.' To see that it's back up and coming, it's a wonderful thing." Yolanda Jiggetts, the CEO of Park Heights Renaissance, credits the city for making this a top priority, and residents advocating for more resources in their neighborhood. "It's time to celebrate that the community can push change," she said. "They came out, spoke at every meeting, and wrote any letters we asked them to write." Jiggetts said her organization took a stance to bring funding to this project. She said it took the work of public and private partners to speed up the process. "It was going to get done, but it was not projected to get done anytime in the near future," Jiggetts said.
CTV News
11-06-2025
- CTV News
Library association says rise in violent incidents ‘not a surprise' after Community Connections closure
A new report shows incidents at Millennium Library are on the rise this year. CTV's Joseph Bernacki takes a closer look at the data. A new report shows incidents at Millennium Library are on the rise this year. CTV's Joseph Bernacki takes a closer look at the data. A concerning rise in violent incidents at the Millennium Library came as no surprise to a group that fought to save the facility's community resources space after its funding was cut last year. According to an administrative report before the city's standing policy committee on community services, incidents at the downtown library jumped nearly 70 per cent in the first three months of 2025, with spikes in assaults, harassment, and vandalism. Kirsten Wurmann, with the Manitoba Library Association, said the rise correlates to the shuttering of Community Connections – a resource hub housed in the Millennium Library that lost its funding in the 2025 budget. 'It's not a surprise, and I don't think that it's a coincidence,' Wurmann said. Community Connections had operated in the library since 2022, offering access to librarians, library assistants, crisis workers and safety hosts trained in de-escalation. The Downtown Community Safety Partnership (DCSP) has since moved into the space, hoping to offer similar support. 'This space gives (library users) somewhere to meet privately, in a safe space,' DCSP director of operations Matt Halchakar told CTV News Winnipeg on Monday. 'They come into the space with our staff to talk about their needs and how they can work towards them.' Wurmann said Community Connections' range of services are sorely missed—services that are tantamount to a library's function within a community. 'It's all about equity access to information and knowledge and guided by the trauma-informed and harm reduction principles and community development, as well,' she said. 'This is very much a library service. This is what libraries do.' CTV News Winnipeg requested comment on the matter from Coun. Vivian Santos, who chairs the community services committee, but did not receive a response. - With files from CTV's Joseph Bernacki
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Moses Lake launches resource info site
May 31—MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake city officials are working on a new option for people looking for support services and help finding what they need. The "community resources page" is available on the city's web page, and city officials hope to print a brochure with the information eventually. Lizabeth Murillo Busby, the city's housing and grants manager, said the resource page is part of the response to the decision to close the Open Doors Sleep Center. The facility will close June 30, when the state grant that funded most of its operation expires. Moses Lake City Council members opted not to renew the grant. "The city, in the transition to close the sleep center, wanted to make sure we were highlighting and supporting the local agencies that are doing the work in the community. So, it's really a call to action for organizations in the community to input their information as they deem appropriate," Murillo Busby said. Murillo Busby said the resource page is designed for organizations that provide services in Moses Lake. People have access to statewide resource lists and are encouraged to use them, she said, but this is targeted specifically at the help that is available locally. "We want to make sure that we're targeting our audience in our community," she said. It includes a link and QR code to a page where organizations can enter contact information and some information about the services and resources they provide. All entries are reviewed before they are added to the list. The entries will be reviewed each March, Murillo Busby said. Because it's a work in progress, the information will change over time, and people are encouraged to check on it regularly. How best to use the information depends in part on the agency. Renew, the county's mental health agency, is listed in multiple categories, and Dayna Ruiz, Renew community relations manager, said it's best to call the listed phone number. "The first stop, really, is just calling our front desk," Ruiz said. Renew employees are trained to help people figure out who they need to talk to first. "Just call our offices and share what their need is," she said. People who are in a crisis might not even know what they need when they call, she said, but employees will help potential patients figure it out. "It shouldn't be hard," Ruiz said. "People just need help." There's also a county-based mental health crisis line, 800-852-2923, Ruiz said. It's available 24 hours per day, seven days a week. She said that number is not on the city's resource page yet, but it will be. For the Moses Lake Community Coalition, director Megan Watson said the listed email address is the best way to guide people to the right coalition services. The coalition offers information and guidance for parents, a drop-in program for young people, and bags where families can lock up medication, among other services. Coalition members are working on a website that should be ready by fall, Watson said, and when it is, the link will be added to the community resource page, if possible. Works in progress being what they are, updated information will be available over time, as well as additional information. The local Goodwill agency offers a lot of different services from its office next to the thrift store in Moses Lake. Goodwill has extensive resources, some of which people may not realize exist. Jamie McDowall, onsite manager for Goodwill in Moses Lake, said two employees are assigned to help people who are facing substance abuse and mental health challenges find housing, and two others who help qualifying clients find jobs. "We're pretty successful in helping people find housing and employment," she said. "We have a good crew here." Some of its housing and employment programs are focused on people who are dealing with chronic homelessness, which is defined as being homeless in 12 months — not 12 consecutive months, just 12 months — during the last three years, McDowall said. "We work pretty closely with people in addiction," she said. Goodwill also helps people with financial management; employees help people who qualify through its program to help pay bills and manage the money they have left once that's done. The page has a link and QR code for organizations that want to add their information to the listings. Submissions are reviewed after they're provided prior to being placed on the site.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Expungement clinic offers fresh start for people with criminal records
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk's Office is offering those who live in Shelby County a second chance to have a clean criminal record. This weekend, the criminal clerk's office is hosting its community Expungement Clinic. For someone with a criminal record, it can impact their ability to secure a job, find a home, or even gain higher education. Former Summer Drive-In property sold The organizers say, 'These events help people get a fresh start and provide access to second chance jobs and community resources to help them stay on track.' The clinic will be held at the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church-Westwood, located at 620 Parkrose Road, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Waco Hosts a Community Care Fair
Waco, TX (FOX 44) – Health care resources that are available for the senior community were front and center in Central Texas Tuesday afternoon. The Community Care Fair was hosted by Grace Gardens Funeral Home in Waco. The fair focused on senior community and dementia care, bringing together 17 vendors. Attendees connected with resources varying from elder law, home care, home health, hospice, the VA, and the area agency on aging. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
