When Asia Davis and her family moved to the South side of Akron, it quickly felt like home. And since becoming involved with United Way of Summit & Medina’s Family Resource Center (FRC) at her children’s new school, Asia realized that home meant a community where her family was going to thrive.
“I love my community because there are resources for my family embedded in my neighborhood,” says Asia. “My kids are getting a better education and more opportunity than I had when I was growing up,”
When Asia first enrolled her kids into Akron’s McEbright CLC, she was working the night shift. That quickly changed when she learned about United Way’s Family Resource Center. Family Resource Centers offer safe, welcoming places within schools that connect parents and caregivers to information and referrals to community resources, including basic needs support, health and wellness programs, financial coaching and more.
With the support of her FRC coordinator, Asia was connected to resources that helped her get her GED and start pursing her dream of becoming a nurse. Today, Asia is taking classes at a local university and working a paid internship during the day.
Moving to Akron and engaging with the resources our community has to offer has not only changed Asia’s life, but it’s laying the foundation for an even better life for her kids. Asia and her family have a great relationship with United Way’s FRC coordinator. They know they have a true support system in their community – a place where they can always feel comfortable turning to for help. Asia’s hope is that other people in her neighborhood will feel the same.
“Because of United Way’s Family Resource Center, I got a full-ride college scholarship to fulfill my dream of being a nurse,” says Asia. “Now, I can show my kids through hard work and a support system, anything is possible.”