Stories

New homeless outreach center doubles capacity of residents served

When Lee Brown was homeless and sleeping in a tent, Community Support Services would often check on him and his neighbors to make sure they were safe. Working with Community Support Services ultimately helped Brown finding permanent housing. "They put their...

Grant helps build new restroom at Bath Nature Preserve

During its first cycle of grants in 2016, Bath Community Fund awarded $14,500 to five local nonprofits to support a wide range of community projects. One of the largest grants went to the Bath Park Board for the construction of an additional restroom at the...

Anonymous donor leaves $2.4 million estate gift

When a retired schoolteacher and administrator passed away earlier this year, she left behind a lasting legacy in not only education, but also in charitable giving. Through a bequest in her will, the lifelong Summit County resident gave nearly $2.4 million to...

Your Voice Matters

What can we do together to create a stronger community? That was the seemingly simple, yet decidedly complex question posed to nearly 6,000 Summit and Medina county residents who participated in On the Table Greater Akron on Oct. 3. The concept: Register to...

Hope for the Harvest: County food director discusses labor of love

The small group of tables outside the Summit Lake Recreation Center bears fresh food, educational handouts and bite-sized healthy food samples, like Ms. Julie's kale chips. A sign on one grower's table reads, "SNAP cards accepted here." It signifies progress...

Resident digs up connection to prominent Akron fundholder with hidden roots

In September 2016, a Copley Township man unearthed a headstone belonging to William Stevens, a prominent businessman who lived in Akron during the early 19th century. While the fact that the headstone was miles away from Stevens' resting place was puzzling,...

Retired teacher plans for his charitable future

As a junior in the Jackson High School marching band, Jerry Wolf met a flashy young maestro who inspired him to turn his talent into a profession. For 29 years, Jerry did just that, himself inspiring students in the Southeast, Waterloo and Mogadore school...

Philanthropy at the cellular level

The fever was familiar: It was the third time the infectious disease biologist had contracted malaria, a treatable but often deadly disease transmitted by the bite of a mosquito. "You have to dig deep and find out a lot about yourself," Victoria said....

Minister commits $100,000 to WEF with planned gift

Nearly 25 years ago, as the founders of the Women's Endowment Fund were recruiting their first donors, they met with generous women from all corners of the community. Business executives, grassroots volunteers and city leaders alike joined forces to support...

Women's forum addresses infant mortality in Summit County

In 2017, the Women's Endowment Fund convened a group of nearly 100 health and social service professionals to discuss issues related to infant mortality in Summit County. The 2017 Forum on Women and Girls, held at the American Red Cross in Akron, brought...

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