Stories: Millennium Fund for Children Stories

After years of welcoming foster children into their home, Akron residents Kurt and Kathy Davis were overjoyed when the opportunity finally came to adopt two babies of their own. Summit County Children Services had called, asking if they could take two more...

As a former guidance counselor for Akron Public Schools, Barbara Oldham knows how heart wrenching it can be to see students whose basic needs aren't being met. Often, she could tell just by the shoes on their feet. "In the winter, they would be wearing...

"Where do eggs come from?" For many kids, especially those who live in the city, the answer is simply "the grocery store." In fact, many of them have never seen a chicken in person or even visited a real farm. But all of that is changing with the help of a...

Math is a challenging subject for many students, particularly when it comes to abstract concepts like calculating the volume of an imaginary object. But what if students were to measure something more concrete – like an alligator? That's exactly what one...

Nearly one in five adults living in Summit County struggles with literacy. A recent study by the National Institute for Literacy revealed that 18 percent of Summit County residents lack the reading skills needed to complete a job application, find an...

Brenda Carneal was feeling overwhelmed: The Barberton resident's daughter had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and her youngest son, Nick, was struggling with autism. As a result, Brenda was getting lost in the never-ending stream of meetings with...

Fran Doll knows firsthand what it's like for a child to need help. Raised by alcoholic parents, she often turned to her grandparents for love and protection. Now, as an adult, the Fairlawn resident and Millennium Fund donor is determined to keep other kids...

In 1999, the Millennium Fund for Children was just a glimmer in the eye of former Akron Beacon Journal editor Jan Leach. The paper had just published a series of articles on the needs of local children, most notably those affected by shaken baby syndrome. The...

Interactive toys like Hokey Pokey Elmo are among the most popular items on children's Christmas lists. Kids of all ages light up when they see Elmo dance and are eager to squeeze his hand for more. But what happens when a child isn't physically able to press...

Unwrapping a pair of cozy pajamas is a beloved Christmas tradition in many families. But for children in homeless shelters and impoverished neighborhoods, pajamas are often an impossible luxury. It's not unusual for these children to spend the holiday season...