Stories: Grantee Stories

Rachel Socorro doesn’t call herself a survivor of human trafficking, but a "SurThriver." In the five years since she gained her freedom from a captive marriage, Socorro herself has not only thrived, but has guided other survivors on their journey to healing...

Local nonprofits help resettled residents through partnerships, philanthropy When the United States pulled out of a 20-year occupation of Afghanistan this summer, it triggered a humanitarian crisis that displaced more than 550,000 Afghans, nearly 1,000 of...

How three local leaders in education and their organizations are working together to improve outcomes Atop Akron’s North Hill, in one of the school district’s oldest buildings, a new and innovative education model is taking root. High school students at...

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...

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...

Colleen Shaffer settles into her favorite chair in the corner of the living room. As her home health aide runs the vacuum across the floor, excited chirps emerge from a cage. It's Colleen's blue parakeet, Baby, who she says is infatuated with noisy...

The BEAT (Brunswick Educational Access Television) Video Program is a unique backpack journalism program run by an ambitious group of young people. Backpack journalism is an emerging form of journalism that requires a journalist to be a reporter, photographer...

By Stephanie L. LangguthAssistant Director of Advancement CommunicationsKent State University Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting 40 million U.S. adults age 18 and older – 18 percent of the U.S. population....

By: Akronist staff Downtown Akron has gained a greater connection to the world class amenity running through its backyard – the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. Through support from Akron Community Foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight...

By Thom Callahan, Akronist contributor The streets of Akron and Cleveland set an international stage in Northeast Ohio in August 2014 when visitors, athletes and allies from around the globe arrived for Gay Games 9. "We’re a relatively small community, so...