Cuyahoga County News Now

Jingle jangle, woof woof, Ho Ho Ho…Santa Paws has once again visited the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter (CCAS). The annual Santa Paws event pulled into the shelter and left everyone quite merry. Each year the shelter holds the holiday bonanza with photo stations, raffle baskets and of course cookies! The event is a fundraiser to benefit the extensive medical needs for the lost and stray dogs that come to call CCAS their temporary home.

In January of 2014, I heard Jon Katov, Co-founder of a national mentoring program called The Open Table speak at Grumpy’s restaurant in Tremont. He was speaking to a room of social workers about how being in a relationship with a homeless veteran transformed his life. He talked about how wanting to help this man, changed him, changed his friends, changed his church, and changed his community.

Here at the county, we know that people today are living 30 to 40 years past the age of 50. This growing senior population is experiencing a major shift and how they age successfully. Baby Boomers are demanding senior center programming that is targeted to their unique needs and encompass the “whole person”. They want to engage in programs that incorporate continuing education and learning, health and wellness options, classes in the latest technology, as well as civic and community engagement options.

Winter is around the corner, and Cuyahoga County’s Office of Emergency Management wants to make sure you’re prepared. Here are 10 tips to help you prepare for the upcoming season:

People of all ages get scammed, but scams can be particularly tough on Older Americans. Seniors often are on fixed incomes, so it’s harder for them to recover from a financial loss. They sometimes are afraid to tell anyone, fearing scammers’ threats or the family’s reaction. Or if they do tell someone, their complaint may not make it to the enforcement agency best suited to investigate.

At the early age of six, I was separated from my siblings and entered the foster care system due to drug use, sexual abuse and neglect. All I could ever dream and think of is I didn’t want to live my life the way I saw my whole family live –in an all-around dysfunctional household.