Stories: Grantee Stories

Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, more popularly known as Ballet Excel Ohio, is the fourth-oldest youth ballet in the country. And the dance company is amid its 50th anniversary celebration, which will be capped with a March 14 event at the Akron Civic Theatre,...

When LaJohn Ellies Jr. sustained an injury due to gun violence, he found himself in a deep depression. "Five years ago, I was accidentally shot in the head. The bullet went through my right ear and traveled out my left eye, and I totally lost my left eye and...

For more than 20 years, Greenleaf Family Center's PEERS (Parent Education, Empowerment, Resources and Support) program has empowered families of children with complex needs by training parents to navigate multiple systems of care and become lifelong advocates...

By the time Jill Oldham took over as chief executive officer of Greenleaf Family Center, the organization had served the local community by strengthening families through counseling, education and support for well over 100 years. She stated, "We were started...

Akron Children's Museum offers a fun and engaging space for children and families, and it's nestled in Lock 3 Park in downtown Akron. Visitors are met with colorful, hands-on exhibits focused on a wide range of STEAM topics (science, technology, engineering,...

Mission: North Hill Community Development Corporation's mission is to unite people, places, and programs in stimulating a robust and creative economy in North Hill, while anchoring a flourishing intercultural community that celebrates its vibrant diversity....

Hope United operates a 7,500-square-foot Recovery Community Organization called Tyler's Redemption Place, located in Springfield. Opened in spring 2023, Tyler's Redemption Place offers peer-based recovery support, promoting recovery and wellness with a...

Bath Community Fund has proudly supported Crown Point Ecology Center for many years. From a cob wood-fired oven and workshops to an outdoor pavilion and donation garden, visitors can see projects that Bath Community Fund helped to fund just about anywhere on...

The Cuyahoga Valley Art Center (CVAC) provides an inclusive community hub for visual artists in Cuyahoga Falls, with over 150 classes and workshops annually, helping 1,400 students refine their skills and showcase their creations through seven community...

A cancer diagnosis often has ripple effects across an entire family. Local nonprofit Stewart's Caring Place keeps family members, loved ones and caregivers in mind when facing this challenge. Its free services range from support groups and counseling to yoga...