United Way of Summit & Medina Highlights Community Impact, Growing Need, and Vision for the Future
United Way of Summit & Medina hosted its annual Report to the Community at 7 17 Credit Union Park on June 18. The event brought together 600 community leaders, partners, volunteers, and supporters to celebrate the impact of collective action while outlining the challenges local families are facing. Mayor Malik and Summit County Executive Shapiro presented official proclamations to the organization, declaring June 18, 2026 as United Way Day in Summit County and the City of Akron.
Opening the event, United Way Board of Directors Vice Chair and Campaign Chair Tracy Dowe thanked sponsors, partners, and attendees for their commitment to strengthening Summit and Medina counties. “It’s fitting that we’re gathered at the ballpark, a place where communities come together and where every player has a role,” Dowe said. “Success is never achieved alone, and that’s what United Way is all about.”
The program highlighted new 2024 ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) data showing that thousands of local households struggle to afford basic necessities despite being employed, pointing out that the combined number of residents in Summit and Medina counties who are ALICE or living below the Federal Poverty Line would fill the ballpark over 35 times. Publicly accessible ALICE data for all Ohio counties and zip codes can be found at Ohio | UnitedForALICE..
“These are our neighbors – working families, seniors, and individuals doing everything they can to get by,” said Annie McFadden, President and CEO of United Way of Summit & Medina. “We have a responsibility to meet this moment and build a community where every person has the opportunity to thrive.”
The legacy institution reaffirmed its commitment to advancing educational opportunity, economic mobility, and healthy communities through collaboration, innovation, and strategic investment. Emphasizing that collaboration remains the key to addressing complex challenges and creating lasting change.
The event highlighted several examples of community impact, including:
- Expansion of financial empowerment services through partnerships with local governments and community organizations.
- Ohio’s fully supported statewide 211 network, improving access to critical resources for residents.
- A coordinated community response to winter SNAP benefit disruptions that helped families access food assistance and emergency support.
- Family Resource Center partnerships that connect students and families to services that improve stability and educational outcomes.
- Ongoing efforts to prevent homelessness and strengthen housing stability across the region.
“United Way serves as a bridge connecting people to resources, organizations to solutions, and communities to opportunity,” Annie McFadden said. “No single organization can do this work alone.”