Project Homeless Connect 2012: A Ray of Hope for the Homeless (Part 1 of 2) – 2012-05-23

By Katie Sobiech

Though the smile on her face and bright, pink volunteer t-shirt might fool you; Vicky Shockey knows first-hand what it’s like to be homeless, and struggle just to have a roof over her head.

Her story, like many others, reveals one of the many ways one can become homeless due to circumstances out of their control.

“I was in an alcoholic marriage,” Shockey said, recalling one specifically dark night, “We got into a fight and he put me out at 2 in the morning with nowhere to go. I was on the streets for about 3 weeks going from place-to-place the first time. The second time I ended up at the shelter, Harvest Home.”

Torchbearers: Young Professionals Making Their Mark on Akron (Part Two) – 2012-05-16

By Katie Sobiech

If you haven’t already heard, the Torchbearers, young and upcoming city leaders, are creating a great name for themselves throughout the community through their intense involvement and volunteer work. Their relationship with charities like St. Bernard’s/St. Mary’s Hunger Program, the Autism Family Foundation’s Charity Corn hole Tournament, and Akron/Canton Regional Foodbank (ACRF), continues to grow, as well as with others.

Dan Flowers, President and CEO of the ACRF, shared his thanks, saying “The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank believes that leadership is vital to the fight against hunger, and celebrates the work of Torchbearers in developing the next generation of community leaders. We are thrilled when this group takes time out of their busy schedules to volunteer. Their regular commitment to our organization is a demonstration of the outstanding youth in our area.”

Torchbearers: Young Professionals Making Their Mark on Akron (Part One) – 2012-05-10

By Katie Sobiech

This generation of young adults may be known for moving away from Akron in search of a brighter future, but many have yet to realize that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side! Torchbearers, a diverse group of emerging community leaders ages 25-39, proves this to be true.

For the past 10 years, Torchbearer’s has been digging into the richness and uniqueness of Akron that can’t be found anywhere else. From Akron’s heart for the charity and non-profit world, to its collaborations of people passionate about making a difference, to its art, history, and local gardening/farming movements that are sprouting up; all of these things make it a unique city, full of depth, unlike any other.

Those who haven’t realized this may just not have known where to look…

This is What Vibrant Looks Like: NEOSCC (Part Two) – 2012-05-02

By Katie Sobiech

There’s already a buzz around town about the Northeast Ohio Sustainable Communities Consortium (NEOSCC)…and they’re just getting started.

Over 50 people attended their first event at Paolo’s in Akron on April 17th.

“It was refreshing to see a great turnout and some very engaged young people so willing to give their feedback,” Tara Sturm, Akron native and one of the evenings speakers, said.

This is What Vibrant Looks Like: NEOSCC (Part One) – 2012-04-25

By Katie Sobiech

What does the word “vibrant” mean to you?

Imagine for one moment what a vibrant community would look like…

What would happen if you had a voice, or say, in creating the “perfect” (ideal) place to live? If you could paint a portrait of the landscape of your state or region, how would that look? What would you fill it with? What kinds of things would build that city?

Vibrant Northeast Ohio, or the Northeast Ohio Sustainable Communities Consortium (NEOSCC), is asking young professionals, artists, dreamers and people like you across Northeast Ohio to imagine this. And not only imagine, but express and share these ideas to create change.