Holiday Concert Raises Donations for Foster Children, Emphasizes Need for Foster and Adoptive Parents

 

Robin Swoboda and Renee Welsch

Summit County residents welcomed the holiday season with “An Evening of Christmas Inspiration” holiday concert, which resulted in a donation of over 100 new toys for the Summit County Children Services (SCCS) Toy Room.

Project Rise and Mount Lebanon Baptist Church Host Annual Soul Food Dinner for Families Experiencing Homelessness

Craft Project Planned and Implemented
by the Project Rise Interns.

 

On February 26^th, the annual Project Rise Parent RISE-ing Soul food dinner was held at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church, serving students and families experiencing homelessness. For the past 8 years, Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church has graciously hosted the event for families served by Project Rise.

Akron Community Foundation showcases organization working with education in the community

Story By Lyndsey Schley

 

 

The crowd listening to the presentations

 

 

The Akron Community Foundation (ACF) hosted a community issues session on how schools and non-profits work together to improve education Wednesday, January 25.
The foundation hosts a similar session each quarter to highlight organizations within their target areas, said Teresa LeGrair, director of Community Investment at the Akron Community Foundation. This quarter the focus is on education.

Christmas for the Love of Children

OPEN M Ministry Spreads Christmas Cheer

Story by Aimee Juarez

 

As you may know, last week was our Christmas for the Love of Children food and gift distribution. In the days following the event, the entire staff here was beaming with Christmas spirit and joy. It seemed to touch each of us equally, but in different ways. For many of OPEN M staffers, the pure bewilderment of the parents and anticipation of each child’s excitement was the most impactful.

Setting an Example

Story Courtesy of Summit Education Initiative

 

Photo Courtesy of International Institute of Akron

 

 

SEI guides 16 for Success kit training for community partner

While the bulk of Summit Education Initiative (SEI)’s work occurs behind-the-scenes, sometimes face-to-face conversation and in-person demonstrations best represent our support for community partners and their work.

In fall 2016, Dr. Matthew Deevers, senior research associate at SEI, joined the International Institute of Akron (IIA)’s education department for a series of 16 for Success kit training sessions with local families. While the dialogue and activity in each session helps teach parents how to use different aspects of the kit, the ultimate goal of the training is to help their children begin kindergarten on track for success.