SPOTLIGHT ON SUMMIT COUNTY’S EARLY CHILDHOOD EFFORTS AS AKRON METROPOLITAN HOUSING AUTHORITY RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION

 

July 21st will be a big day for early childhood in Summit County!  Parents as Teachers™ (PAT), President and CEO Scott Hippert will visit Akron to see first-hand how the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA) has successfully implemented their parent education program and how community collaboration has helped them successfully support hundreds of families.  AMHA received a national award from PAT for innovation and other housing authorities have contacted AMHA about replicating their model.

Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority and the University of Akron School of Law Awarded HUD Juvenile ReEntry Assistance Program Grant

The Akron Metropolitan Housing (AMHA) and the University of Akron School of Law (Akron Law) have been awarded a $100,000 grant to help youth involved in the juvenile justice system find jobs and housing as they work to reintegrate into the community.

Eighteen grants have been awarded nationally (two in Ohio) to public housing agencies who partner with a non-profit legal service organization to provide legal service to juveniles.  The grants were made possible as part of $1.75 million directed by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Justice under the Juvenile Reentry Assistance Program.  “Reconnecting young people who’ve paid their debt to society to decent jobs and housing allows them to turn the page and become active, productive members of their communities,” said HUD secretary Julian Castro.  “These grants offer a helping hand to those who deserve a second chance so they have a real opportunity to reach their full potential.”

The grant will target public housing residents (up to age 24) who have a criminal record.  The University of Akron School of Law will hire an attorney to manage the program and a student assistant to gather and track data and manage law student volunteers.  AMHA will provide outreach, grant monitoring and grant reporting.

“AMHA is grateful for our partnership with the University of Akron School of Law” said Anthony O’Leary, AMHA’s Executive Director.  Legal services provided by the University will include juvenile and adult sealings, Certificates of Qualification for Employment (CQEs), child support modifications and driver’s license reinstatement.  “All of these remedies are targeted to assist youth with finding employment and affordable housing”, explained O’Leary.

For further information: akronhousing.org

Apotheclaire: An Environmentally-friendly Twist to Beauty Care

Here’s a great idea for salons… eco-responsible or #Green Circle Salons

Distinctly Downtown

Walking into Apotheclaire is literally a breathe of fresh air –the new eco-responsible salon in Downtown Akron makes natural, organic, and chemically-reduced alternatives their priority.

Unlike most salons, Apotheclaire recycles 98 percent of their waste, such as color leftovers, vinyl gloves, product packaging, and hair. Apotheclaire is part of the Green Circle Salons, which has warehouses that use recycled hair to make oil booms. The oil booms are used to clean up oil spill, and can be reused several times, unlike synthetic booms.

The idea of Apotheclaire began with owner Claire White, who has a long history of being hypersensitive to many chemicals and fragrances. The name Apotheclaire was inspired by the word “apothecary,” which in medial Latin means shopkeeper, creatively combined with Claire’s name.

“I don’t remember a time when I didn’t have some sort of rash or sneeze or actually be in the hospital,” White said. “It’s something I’ve had…

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SPECIAL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SPECIAL OLYMPIANS

Story By Dorothy Markulis

 

If life is a little boring and things have become a little too ho hum, and you want to see children succeed, have we got a project for you.

The Weaver Sports Booster Club is looking for volunteers and financial support.

This small group of tireless workers wants to share with you the joy of giving to those with developmental disabilities.

“If you have a heart for children, then we need you,” said , president of the Weaver Sports Club.

College and Career Readiness – Schools work on progress through collaboration

 

The Second to Last Benchmark in Summit Education Initiative (SEI)  Cradle to Career Pipeline is College and Career Readiness.

• All students graduate from high school with a plan to be employed, enrolled or enlisted.
•  All students who plan to attend college after high school will complete a FAFSA.
•  Increase the proportion of students who earn a “college ready” score on college placement tests.

The group’s goal is for every student leaving high school to have a plan to become enrolled in college, enlisted in public service, or employed in a job that leads to a career.