From STEM to Seniors: Foundation Awards $149,000 for Community Health and Wellness

[Barberton, September 29, 2025] – Barberton Community Foundation’s September board meeting kicked off with a burst of creativity, as board members were asked to assemble and decorate their own wooden boats — a hands-on activity led by the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Representatives Marissa Metz and Chris McIntyre shared how Camp Invention uses the same spirit of play and problem-solving to spark curiosity for Barberton’s young learners. Now in its 15th year locally, the program has grown into the largest Vanguard site in the country, piloting next year’s STEM curriculum before it launches nationwide. The Vanguard site designation makes Barberton City Schools an elite partner organization and gives children in the Magic City the opportunity to access state-of-the-art learning materials and content before the rest of the United States. Barberton Community Foundation has been a consistent supporter of Camp Invention, providing scholarships so that any Barberton child can attend and experience the excitement of hands-on innovation.

Following this presentation, the Foundation’s Board of Directors approved $149,025.27 in Health and Wellness grants, with the largest award — $36,000 to the Early Childhood Resource Center — supporting the new Unified Early Learning System. This nearly $1 million regional initiative, funded by more than a dozen public and private partners including the City of Akron, GAR Foundation, Akron Community Foundation, Greater Akron Chamber, and more, will provide resources to childcare providers and families, working toward the goal of universal preschool and ensuring every child enters kindergarten ready to learn. Bright Hopes Community Childcare in Barberton is the only provider outside Akron participating in the pilot.

“We want to do everything we can to align educational opportunities with our families to help our children succeed,” said Josh Gordon, Executive Director of Barberton Community Foundation. “Our grant partnership with Early Childhood Resource Center ensures that Barberton is part of this groundbreaking effort to strengthen childcare providers and their talented educators, lift up families, and give our youngest learners the strong start they deserve. If children arrive at kindergarten ready to learn, they not only start ahead, they stay ahead.”

Additional Grant Awards

$25,000 was awarded to Victim Assistance Program – Victim Advocacy Program (the award is funded by the Foundation’s endowment and the Stefan-Leightner Endowment Fund at Barberton Community Foundation). This funding supports free advocacy services for Barberton residents impacted by crisis, violence, or tragedy. Advocates provide safety planning, victim rights education, court accompaniment, and referrals, directly serving an estimated 225 residents through the Barberton Municipal Court office.

$15,000 was awarded to Portage Path Behavioral Health – Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment Program to expand treatment for Barberton residents living with both mental health and substance use disorders. Portage Path is now the only provider offering dual diagnosis treatment in Barberton. The program integrates outpatient treatment, group therapy, and peer support to help clients regardless of their ability to pay.

$15,000 was awarded to Child Guidance & Family Solutions – Support Mental and Behavioral Health Program to strengthen services at its Barberton location. The grant will fund advanced trauma and grief training for therapists and provide therapeutic supplies such as art and sensory materials, enhancing services for the 300+ Barberton residents the organization served in 2024.

$12,525.27 was awarded to Humane Society of Summit County – MABEL Mobile Veterinary Clinic for Barberton to continue providing affordable veterinary care, including spay/neuter surgeries and rabies vaccinations. Last year, 90 Barberton-owned pets were treated through MABEL, and this grant will support more than 275 additional procedures to keep pets and families healthy.

$12,000 was awarded to Embracing Futures – Orthodontic Care Program to provide no-cost orthodontic treatment for two Barberton children. The program improves both health and selfesteem for children from low-income families who would otherwise go without care.

$7,500 was awarded to Axess Family Services – Mobile Meals Program to provide nearly 2,000 nutritious meals to low-income seniors and disabled adults in Barberton. The program addresses food insecurity and supports the independence of vulnerable residents.

$7,500 was awarded to Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank – 2026 Barberton Direct Food Distribution Program (funding support provided by the Foundation’s endowment and the Merrillee and Jimmy Anthe Endowment Fund at Barberton Community Foundation). Monthly food distributions at The Salvation Army Barberton provide thousands of pounds of fresh produce and pantry staples, serving over 1,000 households each year.

$7,000 was awarded to Greenleaf Family Center – Adolescent Suicide Prevention Program to continue prevention programming for more than 1,300 Barberton middle and high school students. The grant also supports teacher training and participation in the Barberton City Schools Wellness Collaborative and Summit County Suicide Prevention Coalition.

$6,500 was awarded to Ben Curtis Family Foundation – Birdie Bag Program (with funding provided by the Foundation’s endowment and the Birdie Bag Pass-Through Fund at Barberton Community Foundation) to provide consistent meals and snacks to Barberton students in Pre-K through 8th grade and stock the high school food pantry. Support also covers summer feeding programs, which delivered more than 1,000 Birdie Bags in 2025.

$5,000 was awarded to Vantage Aging – More than a Meal for Barberton Seniors to provide more than 5,200 meals for Barberton seniors through Meals on Wheels. In addition to nutrition, the program offers wellness checks and social connections that help aging adults remain independent.

Barberton Community Foundation is proud to stand alongside these partners in strengthening the community. These grants represent more than financial support, they are investments in children, families, and neighbors across Barberton. By prioritizing early learning, promoting health and wellness, and addressing essential needs, the Foundation continues its mission to improve lives by creating opportunity, building resilience, and ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.

About Barberton Community Foundation

Established in 1996, Barberton Community Foundation has awarded more than 8,500 grants and scholarships totaling more than $110 million since its inception. The Foundation strives to improve, now and forever, the quality of life for Barberton residents by providing leadership on vital issues, fostering collaboration, and creating a legacy of giving to do good. The Foundation strengthens the community for current and future generations by proactively directing its grant dollars to the community’s greatest needs.

To read more about Barberton Community Foundation visit barbertoncf.org or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/barbertoncommunityfoundation.