We know that when you donate to a nonprofit, you may wonder if your financial contribution even made a difference. At United Way of Summit & Medina, it is our goal to build trust and accountability so our community is never left asking, “Should I donate to United Way?” Keep reading to learn about our services and how your financial donation directly impacts our community!
What Are Our Goals?
Our Bold Goals are the focus of our work at United Way of Summit & Medina. They keep us accountable to our community and drive how we use our resources. Each of the following goals was intentionally chosen following thorough research into the challenges facing our communities and talking to residents about their aspirations for the future. We know that with the help of our generous donors, we can achieve the following goals by 2028 and witness families, communities, and businesses flourish as a result.
Ready for Success
Our first Bold Goal addresses preparing our youngest community members for success. We want to see 65% of Akron Public School third graders at or above a third-grade reading level. To reach this goal, we work closely with APS, hosting a handful of programs that support Akron students in their literacy. For example, our Family Resource Centers are school-based hubs that link arms with families to reduce barriers that keep students from success. This bold goal gets students on the right track early on in their educational careers, setting them up to be productive community members in the future.
Youth Success
Bold Goal number 2 addresses youth success and has two parts. Regarding College and Career Readiness, our goal is to see 90% of APS high schoolers graduating in 4 years, with 60% college or career-ready. Second, when thinking about Youth Opportunities and Success, we strive to see 60% of Akron youth employed or active in extracurriculars. This bold goal keeps our graduation rate up and ensures students are productive with their free time – two changes that can impact our community for the long run!
Financial Empowerment
Our third Bold Goal is to financially empower 11,000 people in Summit County and 2,500 people in Medina County. To see these goals come to fruition, we work with agencies that serve low to moderate-income individuals – helping them move from living paycheck to paycheck to financial stability. Donations are a great way to support United Way, because they allow us to change the trajectory of an entire family’s financial future, ensuring future generations are set up for success.
Health Equity
Our final Bold Goal is to reduce the Black infant mortality rate in Summit County to 6 per 1,000 live births. This venture is all about leveling the playing field for black pregnant women in our community. By supporting United Way in Summit & Medina County through donations, you are providing case management services, housing stabilization services, and addressing other barriers that many black pregnant women face.
Services Your Donation Goes Toward
At United Way of Summit & Medina, we are proud to be more than a pass-through organization. Our dedicated team works in our community, providing direct services that address the needs of local residents and empowers them to attain long-term success. Every dollar given to United Way of Summit & Medina goes directly to our work in the community, providing the following ecosystem of community services.
211
Our 211 phone line is free and confidential. When a community member is in need, they can call 211 to find information on thousands of services for Summit & Medina County residents. Whether they are looking for supplemental food and nutrition programs, prenatal care, or mental health support – United Way of Summit & Medina’s team is there for them. Your United Way donations keep a trained team running the 211 phone line 24/7.
Akron Financial Empowerment Center
Our Akron Financial Empowerment Center helps local residents establish financial stability by giving them the support they need to budget and save, pay down debt and boost their credit scores. Financial support of United Way of Summit & Medina provides our community with access to financial counselors, tax preparation, and judgment free financial empowerment.
Bank on Rubber City
Without banking access, local residents spend up to 5% of their net income on unnecessary fees for alternative financial services. That is why working with a bank is a key aspect to financial empowerment. Together with the City of Akron, United Way of Summit & Medina host the Bank On Rubber City, a system that gives residents access to safe and affordable banking products and services. Thanks to your donations, the Bank on Rubber City helps residents save their earnings, learn budgeting and tracking tools, and access affordable credit options.
College & Career Academies of Akron
The College & Career Academies of Akron connects students with our local business community. Through United Way of Summit & Medina, companies invest in our program which boosts graduation rates, nurtures local talent and helps kids grow into the skilled employees and business leaders our community needs. Donations to United Way provide hands-on learning experiences for students and strengthen the education-to-employment pipeline – giving our community the strong employees it needs!
Family Resource Centers
As mentioned earlier, our Family Resource Centers are safe, welcoming hubs within schools that connect parents with the community resources they might need. Our team works with families to support them with health and wellness programs, financial counseling and more. Our Family Resource Centers are able to help students, schools, and communities succeed thanks to United Way financial gifts!
Housing Services
Our Housing Services team coordinates access to homeless shelters, permanent supportive housing and rent assistance for community members in Summit and Medina. Our case managers can provide personalized services to those experiencing homelessness or facing eviction because of our community’s generous donations to United Way. These services impact the community in many ways, providing the basic need of housing to those around us.
Imagination Library
Thanks to our partnership with the Imagination Library, children develop a love of reading for free! Upon registration, all children ages birth to five in Summit and Medina counties receive free books every month. This program allows families the opportunity to build their very own library of books, cultivating passionate readers all over the community.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
Community members with a household income of less than $64,000 have access to free tax assistance thanks to our wonderful volunteers. VITA brings in millions of dollars to the local community, dollars to help residents build their savings, reduce debt and in return – invest in our community.
Youth United
Our Youth United program connects students to adults who can provide guidance, advice and motivation to help them become productive community members. We know that how students spend their time away from school has a tremendous impact on their future. That is why our team is grateful for donations to United Way that allow Youth United to set up our youngest community members for a safe, successful future.
How to Donate
Questioning if you should donate to United Way of Summit & Medina? You can trust that your contribution will be used to directly impact the lives of our community members. Start supporting our Bold Goals and vital community services by giving as a one-time gift – or on a monthly/quarterly basis. Get started today.