Affordable Housing Advisory Board to meet Sept. 13

The Orange County Affordable Housing Advisory Board will host a public meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at the Rogers Road-Eubanks Neighborhood Association Community Center at 101 Edgar Street in Chapel Hill. The meeting will be from 6-7:30 p.m.

Staff will provide a short presentation and have materials available about affordable housing programs, including Emergency Housing Assistance, Eviction Diversion, the Housing Helpline, Housing Choice Vouchers, repair/rehabilitation programs for homeowners, and services for people experiencing homelessness.

To learn more about any of these programs, including eligibility and applications, visit https://www.orangecountync.gov/1101/Housing.

Community members will have time to share knowledge, expertise, concerns and questions for AHAB members and Housing Department staff.

What should children be taught about race in schools graphic

The Orange County Human Relations Commission invites you to a community conversation. "What Should Children be Taught about Race in Schools?” This question deserves open and honest consideration as few questions impact our community on such a personal level depending on our perspective.

Suicide Prevention Month Events to Address the Public Health Crisis of Suicide

From 2016 to 2020, 206 Orange and Durham County community members lost their lives to suicide. Throughout the month of September, the Orange County Health Department and Durham County Department of Public Health will host events to support survivors, to share how to recognize the signs and symptoms of suicide, and to teach what to do if a loved one is in danger. Events include:

Adult Mental Health First Aid Training for the Community: On Friday, Sept. 16, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Whitted Human Services Center at 300 W. Tryon St., Hillsborough. This training is for community members, family members, friends, students and other people who have been affected by suicide or want to prevent suicide. The training will cover common signs and symptoms of mental health and substance abuse challenges as well as how to connect people with help. The training is free, and lunch is included. Please register at this link: https://www.orangecountync.gov/MHFA
Adult Mental Health First Aid Training for Professional Partners: On Friday, Sept. 23, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Whitted Human Services Center at 300 W. Tryon St., Hillsborough. This training is for employers, police officers, hospital staff, first responders, public health workers, local government staff, and school employees who want to learn to identify, understand, and respond to the signs of mental health and substance use challenges. The training is free, and lunch is included. Please register at this link: https://www.orangecountync.gov/MHFA-Partners
A Path for Hope: Suicide Prevention and Awareness Walk: On Thursday, Sept. 29, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Leigh Farm Park located at 370 Leigh Farm Road, Durham NC 27707. The event is hosted by Orange County Health Department, Durham County Department of Public Health, Alliance Health, Insight Humans Services and Healthy Carolinians of Orange County. Prior to the walk, community members will gather to hear featured speaker Rwenshaun Miller, who believes that mental wellness begins with a conversation. Miller is an award-winning psychotherapist whose personal mission is to shift our society into one that acknowledges, addresses and treats mental health challenges. Miller is the Founder and Executive Director of Eustress, Inc., a non-profit based in North Carolina.

At the walk, 206 pairs of shoes will be on display to honor the 206 Durham and Orange County community members who lost their lives to suicide from 2016 to 2020. Gently used shoes, which will be donated after the event to those in need, are needed in advance of the event. To donate shoes or for questions about the walk, email Willa Robinson Allen at wrobinson@dconc.gov for Durham County or Ashley Rawlinson at arawlinson@orangecountync.gov for Orange County or call (919) 245-2440.

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Emergency declaration may be over, but county continues to offer pandemic assistance programs

As the nation slowly emerges from more than two years of COVID-related emergency restrictions and declarations, Orange County continues to offer programs and services for residents who are still struggling from the health and economic effects of the pandemic.

Governor Roy Cooper allowed the state's coronavirus-related Declaration of Emergency to expire on Aug. 15, while the Orange County state of emergency declaration expired May 1.

“Even though the state and local declarations of emergency regarding COVID have ended, many households still are experiencing challenges in rebounding from the pandemic,” said Orange County Chair Renee Price. “We want our residents to understand that we continue to provide services to those needing assistance paying utilities, rent and other household expenses.”

Click here for information about programs.

Come to the library in Hillsborough or Carrboro September 1-30 to sign up for a library card and get a denim tote bag, while supplies last. (Venga a la biblioteca en Hillsborough o Carrboro del 1 al 30 de septiembre para registrarse para obtener una tarjeta de biblioteca y obtener una bolsa de mano de mezclilla, mientras duren los suministros.)

Department on Aging accepting nominations for 2022 Direct Care Worker Awards

Orange County Department on Aging and the community group, Senior Health Advocacy and Resource Partners of Orange County (SHARP), will host the eighth annual SHARP Direct Care Worker Awards.

Nominations will be accepted from June 15 – Sept. 15, 2022. A recognition ceremony will be held for award winners on Thursday, Nov. 3.

This event is in honor of Direct Care Workers (nurse aides, personal care aides, companion caregivers, etc.) who affect their clients’ lives on a daily basis and make a difference in the Orange County community.

“Direct care workers provide crucial hands-on care to our older adults. They are frontline heroes quietly meeting the daily needs of their clients,” said Janice Tyler, director of Orange County Department on Aging. “We want them to know that they are valued and essential to our community; deserving of our support and praise.”

In recognition of the outstanding service provided by direct care workers, the Department on Aging and SHARP will present awards in the following categories: Client Impact, Longevity, Leadership, Going the Extra Mile, and Rising Star. One person will be chosen as the “Direct Care Worker of the Year.”

To be eligible, direct care workers must have served clients in Orange County within the past year. Each person may be nominated in two categories. Nominees must have provided direct care to clients and have at least six consecutive months of service in the past year.

For more information about the awards and to nominate a direct care worker, please complete the online or downloadable nomination form at: www.orangecountync.gov/SHARPAwards.

Orange County Arts Commission fall classes graphic

The Orange County Arts Commission offers many classes for youth and adults. Fall classes are accepting registrations now. Financial assistance is available.

Lumos project to bring Fiber-optic Internet to Durham and Orange counties

Lumos will make a significant impact in Durham and Orange Counties, bringing ultra-high-speed 100% Fiber Optic Internet service to approximately 35,000 residents and businesses across the local area. The expansion will blanket the region with more than 600 miles of the latest fiber-optic technology, with a capital investment of approximately $50 million.

Lumos’ fiber networks are built for the future, using the best technology available – with speed tiers of up to 2000 Mbps x 2000 Mbps, equating to 154 times faster uploads and 12 times faster downloads than traditional cable.

“We are already working with Lumos to provide high-speed internet access to more than 24,000 addresses in Orange County,” said Renee Price, Chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners, “And we’re delighted that this additional project will provide fiber broadband access to another 1,500 homes and businesses in the eastern portion of Orange County.”

Click here to read the press release.

The Orange County Department on Aging will host a series of free Fall Prevention Clinics in September to present information on how to reduce and prevent falls.

Vote for Hi-Chew in Coolest Thing Made in NC contest

Morinaga’s Hi-Chew candy advanced to the second round of voting in the North Carolina Chamber's "Coolest Thing Made in NC" annual contest. The candy, made in Orange County, was nominated by the Orange County Economic Development Department.

Second round voting runs through Sept. 16 at 9 p.m. People can vote for Hi-Chew once a day.

Click here to vote.

Hi-Chew candy is the only Orange County manufactured item in this annual statewide contest. Morinaga employs around 225 people from our area and the company makes around 5 million pieces of Hi-Chew candy every 24 hours at the Mebane factory.

www.orangecountync.gov