Stories: Grantee Stories

First Glance has been a Kenmore staple for more than 25 years, offering a place for local teens to feel a sense of belonging, many of them seeking a stable environment in an otherwise unstable situation, whether it's gang activity, teen motherhood or...

Canine Companions is the oldest and largest service dog organization in the country, matching expertly trained service dogs with clients, free of charge. The nonprofit also matches facility dogs with professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice, and...

RePlay for Kids ensures that children with disabilities can enjoy the act of playing with toys, just like their peers. The nonprofit hosts workshops where participants adapt battery-operated toys so that children with disabilities can power them using...

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...