Board Approves Final Loan Extension for Weintraub Barberton Project

by Kate Deangelis | Aug 27, 2024 | Board

NEWS RELEASE

(August 20, 2024- Barberton, Ohio) – Barberton Community Foundation’s (BCF) Board of Directors met for a special meeting on August 19, 2024, to review and approve a final 24-month loan extension to Weintraub Barberton Turkeyfoot QOF LLC to complete a 56-unit housing development at Trucen Farms, located in Barberton off State Route 619.

The loan was originally approved in October 2021 for $1 million. Funding comes through BCF’s Program Related Investments, which is non-grant dollars utilized by Barberton Community Development Corporation (BCDC) to make loans supporting community development.

The extension’s terms include a maturity date of November 1, 2026, and set forth specific conditions to ensure the project’s progress and completion. The most critical condition of this extension requires a fully executed purchase agreement with K. Hovnanian home builders for 56 residential units by December 31, 2024. Because this is the second time this loan has been extended, the Foundation’s board will not consider any further extensions.

“Adding more quality housing stock to Barberton is an important pursuit, and we are glad to be helping people who may be looking to relocate to be closer to work or to who wish to move to the Magic City and experience all the Barberton community has to offer,” said Josh Gordon, Executive Director of Barberton Community Foundation. “We are committed to seeing this project move forward at pace.”

The project has been a focal point for the Foundation’s commitment to enhancing Barberton’s housing stock.

“The land at Trucen Farm is well-suited for high-quality housing, which is in great demand as more people seek to move into Barberton,” said Lynne Holcomb, Barberton Community Foundation Board of Directors Chairperson.

The project, which includes 56-homes priced to start at $250,000 to $300,000, is designed to meet Barberton’s need for additional housing. The City of Barberton Design Review Board has implemented standards to ensure that these homes maintain a unique aesthetic, avoiding a ‘cookie-cutter’ look.

“The Foundation is interested in pursuing intentional projects that positively impact the community, and we must make these choices with limited resources,” Gordon said. “As a result, the Board indicated this is the final extension of this loan as financial resources are needed for other projects in the Foundation’s pipeline,” Gordon said.

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About Barberton Community Foundation

Established in 1996, Barberton Community Foundation has awarded over 8,500 grants and scholarships totaling more than $109 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 www.barbertoncf.org or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/barbertoncommunityfoundation.

Learn About Limitless Ambition

by Kate Deangelis | Aug 16, 2024 | Grants

Learning About Limitless Ambition

New Grant Partner, Limitless Ambition, is a nonprofit helping girls in Barberton City Schools in grades 6, 8, and 9. BCF funded their program for the first time this year. We interviewed the founder and director, Alicia Robinson, to learn more about how the organization got its start, and what they do for our students.

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Limitless Ambition4

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Barberton Community Foundation funded Limitless Ambition in its Education and Workforce & Economic Development grant cycle earlier this year. They are a first-time grant partner, receiving $20,000 to expand their program “Purposely Chosen Teen” to girls in 6th, 8th and 9th grades at Barberton Middle School and High School.

We interviewed Executive Director and Founder, Alicia Robinson, to learn more about her organization, the program, why she started it, and how she’d like to grow.

Alicia Robinson

A seed was planted for Limitless Ambition early on. Robinson shared that she grew up in a small town that saw its share of gun and drug violence. Growing up, she personally experienced a lot of the same challenges she addresses in her program – challenges like poor body image, a struggle with self-acceptance, and understanding what healthy friendships and relationships looked like. “I am the youngest, with two older brothers. I always wanted an older sister,” she said. “I wish there had been a program like Limitless Ambition for me when I was young.”

Despite these struggles, she knew she wanted to go to college. “I am a first-generation college student,” Robinson said. “I had to learn a lot on my own, but I also want to credit Upward Bound, which I participated in from 8^th grade through graduation, as well as the first-generation student support programs at Kent State University with helping to track me toward success.”

After her freshman year at KSU, tragedy struck. “My dad passed away suddenly due to a car accident when I was 19,” she said. “I thought about dropping out and going home to help my mom. But I had a good mentor that said, ‘Is that really the best choice for your future?’ I chose to stay in school, and it fueled me.”

“I tell people, pain plus passion equals purpose. And that is true of how I look at my motivation to create Limitless Ambition.”

Robinson wanted a program that would help girls navigate their lives – by teaching them how to build the network of aunties, advisors, girlfriends and mentors that had given her such good advice and encouragement.

She incorporated Limitless Ambition in October 2013, finalized her 501c3 status in 2015, and launched the first teen programming in 2016.

The programming, Purposely Chosen Teen, is a 10-week curriculum for girls focused on social-emotional learning. Each session has its own topic, such as self-care, sisterhood, confidence, and building compassion. Girls think through concepts like supporting fellow classmates (even if they aren’t best friends), and empathy building. Topics also include hygiene, passion discovery, and goal setting. Each session lasts about an hour, and then the girls put into practice what they’ve learned by doing an activity such as creating empowerment bracelets, writing affirmation letters, or painting to help de-stress.

The ‘23-‘24 school year was Limitless Ambition’s first year in Barberton City Schools. Girls reported learning more about how to build healthy relationships. In a survey, one student said ‘It helped me learn I don’t need to always get mad at every single thing. It helped me realize my worth and how to love myself.’

In Barberton, the Purposely Chosen Teen program is funded for girls in 6^th, 8^th and 9^th grades, which is viewed as a crucial transition time for girls. “I’d like to extend a big thank you to Barberton Community Foundation for supporting Limitless Ambition and investing in programming for teen girls,” she said. “We are excited to begin this next school year and to empower the next generation of young women leaders.”

Robinson wants to continue expanding programming in Barberton City School District, and regionally, as well. “I would love for us to have a flagship location in Northeast Ohio and grow into a full-time director and staff.” She would like to have Purposely Chosen Teen in all the districts in Northeast Ohio, and eventually sell the curriculum for broader implementation.

Learn more about the Purposely Chosen Teen program and Limitless Ambition by visiting their website at https://www.limitlessambition.org/.

Meet the Artists behind Barberton Community Foundation’s Student Art Gallery

by Kate Deangelis | Aug 1, 2024 | Art

Barberton Community Foundation Logo

Student Art Gallery

Barberton Community Foundation presents our second annual Student Art Gallery on view at the Foundation’s main meeting room through November 7, 2024. The pieces highlighted here are selected at the B-Art Student Art Show, highlighting students K-12 in Barberton City Schools. In partnership with White Rabbit Galleries, the Foundation selects 10 pieces for display, purchases the art from the students, and auctions the art at the Annual Dinner.

We invite the public to stop by and enjoy the artwork created by some of Barberton’s most talented young artists!

A special thank you to White Rabbit Galleries creative director Molly Brown and facility manager and art framer Jim Smith for finalizing these pieces.

Kevin Wright III
18 years old, Graduated 2024
Studying Art Education at UA
Woman with the Rose

A freshman at The University of Akron majoring in Art Education, Kevin is on his path to being an art teacher. (Anyone noticing a theme with our students?) He loves both the visual arts and theatre, believing he could also see himself directing musicals. Regarding education as a major, Kevin said, “I want to give and share my love for art with the generations under me.”

For Kevin, art lives best when interpreted through story and imagination. “I love the storytelling of art,” Kevin said. “Art can tell a story, but also leaves room for the imagination. Some pieces of art are left for the viewer to decide what that story is, and the story can change depending on the experiences of the viewer.” For Woman with a Rose, Kevin hopes viewers are curious about who the woman is and where she is from.

Kevin works hard to overcome any challenges, saying he is inspired by struggles to want better for himself. He defines community as any group of people who can give back the same amount of love you give to them.

Liberty Regan
8 years old, Grade 2
Barberton Primary School
Cherry Blossoms

When she grows up, Liberty wants to be an art teacher! She said her family inspires her. She loves all the colors in art and was thinking about how much she enjoys the flowers in the springtime when she painted these cherry blossoms. When she thinks of community, Liberty thinks of visits to Lake Anna, Barberton Public Library and how much she loves Barberton!

Analia Marie Valencia
11 years old, Grade 5
Barberton Intermediate School
Goodyear on Vacation

Analia said she wants to be a doctor when she grows up, because she wants to help people. Her favorite thing about art is that you can make anything, and it can be art! Barberton’s community means a lot to Analia, especially when she thinks about how important her family, friends, and school are to her.

Above: Analia stands with her younger sister and Executive Director Josh Gordon at White Rabbit Galleries.

Nala Garnett
9 years old, Grade 3
Barberton Intermediate School
Floral Pastel

Nala said she wants to be an art teacher like Mrs. Norman when she grows up! (Shout out to Mrs. MaryElizabeth Norman at BIS!) She said making art inspires her and she loves thinking about and selecting the colors she’s going to use. She used the colors in this drawing because they make her happy, and she hopes these colors can make someone else happy, too. To Nala, community means family and having friends.

Alannah Murkins
17 years old, Grade 12
Barberton High School
Barbershop Pastels

Alannah is still deciding what she wants to do in her future, but she does know she wants to pursue something in art. Her mom, boyfriend, her art teacher Mrs. Waldow, and long-time friends inspire her to pursue her art.

Alannah loves the colors, storytelling, and techniques when making her art – such as using her pencil for small details. She wanted to create a calm city near the beach with warm sunset vibes. She said, “Community for myself means family and friends coming together to socialize with people you love or share the same interests with.”

Aryanna Crisp
17 years old, Grade 12
Barberton High School
Eiffel Tower Etching and Ocean

In the future, Aryanna wants to be an interior designer. She has always enjoyed rearranging her room and watching Fixer Upper with her grandma. Aryanna is inspired by her mother, and her art teachers, saying she is who she is today because of them. For her art, she likes using charcoal and showing trueness in nature. She enjoys art because it’s peaceful.

Regarding her Ocean piece, Aryanna said she had wanted to try creating 3D textured art for a while, so she purchased a canvas and plaster. Staring at the canvas, the ocean was the first thing she thought of. For the Eiffel Tower, she shared that she loves replicating architecture.

She loves spending time with her friends and family and enjoys helping out others in her community.

Natalie Snider
17 years old, Grade 12
Barberton High School
Alone in the Dark

For Natalie, art is about emotion. “I like conveying things through my artwork. I want others to know that other people have the same feelings and it’s okay to feel certain ways.” She added, “When I was working on this piece, I know that silence is something that helps me. I want others to feel at peace when they look at this drawing.”

Natalie wants to become a firefighter when she gets older. She is working toward that goal by training in the Firefighter/EMT Four Cities Compact. She shared, “When I was younger, I had a house fire and I want to be that person for other people.” Her family is what inspires her most. Cheer and softball also inspire her.

Community means a lot to Natalie. When she participates in community service projects, she thinks of all the people and places in Barberton that she cares about.

Haylee Zirkle
Grade 8
Barberton Middle School
Blue Jellyfish

Haylee wants to be a meteorologist when she grows up because she likes the science of weather. Haylee shared that she’s inspired by sea life, St. Croix and the U.S. Virgin Islands. She loves the colors in art, and also wanted to make this jellyfish as realistic as possible. When she thinks of community, she thinks of the places she enjoys visiting around Barberton.

Madison Wowra
16 years old, Grade 10
Barberton High School
Star – Ceramic, 3D

Madison says she wants to study cosmetology because she really wants to help people feel better about themselves. She is inspired both by her parents and the thought of failure. She loves the amount of emotion you can express through both art and music.

Regarding her piece, Madison says she just really likes stars and blue/green colors, so she knew exactly what she wanted to make in her ceramics class. To her, community is like one big family, because everyone in a community is linked in one way or another.

Barberton Community Foundation Approves 2024 Health and Wellness Grants, Welcomes Brad Angeloff to Board

by Kate Deangelis | Jul 23, 2024 | Announcements, Board, Grants

Barberton Community Foundation Approves 2024 Health and Wellness Grants, Welcomes Brad Angeloff to Board

(July 19, 2024 – Barberton, Ohio) – Barberton Community Foundation Board of Directors met for a regular meeting of the board on Thursday, July 18.

Kevin Murphy, Associate Executive Director of Lake Anna YMCA, was the guest speaker. Kevin wrote a grant to Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Foundation that assisted with the purchase of a blood pressure kiosk called HealthBOT. Murphy shared that not only has the kiosk been popular, but it also helped him in his own healthcare journey by detecting his dangerously high blood pressure. Kevin said, “I truly believe that the HealthBOT was a key factor in saving my life. Had I not discovered my incredibly elevated blood pressure thanks to the kiosk, I may not have sought medical attention in time.” With health and wellness grants on the agenda for the meeting, Kevin’s testimonial was helpful perspective for the board when considering the impact a grant may have on the life of a Barberton resident.

The Board officially welcomed Brad Angeloff to the Board of Directors. Angeloff brings additional financial expertise to the Board, with a 22-year career in commercial banking, finance, and lending. Angeloff is a lifelong Barberton resident and currently works at Keybank as the VP Business Banking Relationship Manager.

The main business of the Board of Directors meeting was to review and approved the 2024 Health and Wellness Cycle grants, consisting of 13 grants totaling $140,000.

Victim Assistance Program received $25,000 for their Barberton Advocacy Program. This program supports Barberton residents who have been personally impacted by crime, allowing them access to advocacy services including safety planning, court hearing accompaniment, needs assessments, and education on the legal process.
Summa Health Barberton Campus received $22,500 to support the purchase of 20 Holter cardiac monitors. These devices offer extended monitoring periods for up to a month, giving health care providers a longer and more holistic reading of a patient’s heart activity.
Child Guidance & Family Solutions (CGFS) received $15,000 to support three professional development training modules and the purchase of therapeutic supplies including sensory toys and therapeutic games for children. In 2023, CGFS offered services to 260 adolescent and adult Barberton residents through its offices.
Vantage Aging received $13,000 to expand their Meals on Wheels Northeast Ohio and partner with Barberton Area Community Ministries (BACM) to provide additional meal services to food insecure Barberton senior citizens.
Embracing Futures received $12,000 for their Orthodontic Care Program, providing complete orthodontic services for working families who have been turned down by Medicaid. This funding will support two Barberton children with severe orthodontic issues.
CareStar Community Services received $10,000 to provide Community Based Wraparound Services, which supports community health workers in Barberton who make in-home visits and connect families to many different community resources.
Humane Society of Summit County received $10,000 to support Barberton visits by MABEL Mobile Veterinary Clinic, providing low-cost spay/neuter surgeries, microchipping, and vaccines to cats and dogs.
Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank received $7,500 to support 2025 Barberton District Distribution Program, supporting one of the largest food distribution programs serving the Barberton community. Through this program the Foodbank will distribute as much as 192,000 lbs. of food, the equivalent of 160,000 meals at the Salvation Army of Barberton.
Ben Curtis Family Foundation received $6,500 to support the Birdie Bag Program within Barberton City School District. Funding will be used to purchase the meals and snacks within each Birdie Bag. On a monthly basis, the Ben Curtis Family Foundation delivers 1,540 Birdie Bags to preschool through 8th grade students and regularly stocks the food pantry in the high school.
Axesspointe Community Health Center received $5,000 to support their Mobile Meals program, to serve 55 low-income, elderly, and disabled Barberton residents.
Greenleaf Family Center received $5,000 to support Suicide Prevention Programming for Barberton’s middle and high school students.
Stewarts Caring Place received $5,000 to assist their Cancer Wellness and Support Services, providing a wide range of nonclinical support services to Barberton residents on the cancer-fighting journey, including counseling, financial and legal advising, nutrition, modified movement classes, and more.
United Way of Summit and Medina Counties received $3,500 for 2-1-1 Information and Referral Services. 2-1-1 is a free helpline and database that operates 24/7 to help Barberton residents navigate the maze of health and social services available in Summit County. Last year, 2-1-1 responded to 3,574 requests for help by phone, text, and email, from Barberton residents. 2-1-1 also scheduled 490 food appointments for Barberton households seeking emergency food.

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About Barberton Community Foundation

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Tuscora Park Health & Wellness Foundation Announces 2024 Nursing Scholarships

by Kate Deangelis | Jul 12, 2024 | Announcements, Tuscora Park

Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Foundation Celebrates Nursing Students

(July 10, 2024, Barberton, Ohio) — Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Foundation (TPHWF) awarded $35,000 to 7 nursing students on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. Members of the Foundation’s board of governors and donors joined the students and their families for a celebratory scholarship luncheon at LaLa’s in the Lakes. Guest speaker, Karen Fitzgerald, a professor in the University of Akron School of Nursing, spoke to the group. Fitzgerald encouraged the students to focus their efforts on the whole person, emphasizing connection, empathy, and dignity as worthy values in the nursing field.

Board member Mary Jo Goss thanked everyone for attending and shared her best wishes for the students on behalf of the Foundation. “I am sure you will all go far,” she said. “It is reassuring to see all of your enthusiasm, compassion, and dedication to nursing. I wish you well in your journeys, and hope you stay in touch with all of us.”

Each of these students is pursuing a Registered Nursing degree.

Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Foundation is proud introduce the 2024 scholarship recipients:

Molly Cunningham, a senior attending Kent State University at Stark and BHS graduate, received a Kovalchin Memorial Scholarship and a Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Nursing Scholarship.
Julia Davenport, a junior attending The University of Akron Wayne Campus, received a Kovalchin Memorial Scholarship and a Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Nursing Scholarship.
Hayden Graffice, a senior attending the University of Mount Union; received a Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Nursing Scholarship.
Mary Beth Kiss, a senior attending the University of Akron, received a Scholarship in Memory of Emma Rist, RN, and a Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Nursing Scholarship.
Mary Krege, a BHS graduate attending Malone University, received a Carol A. Storad Nursing Excellence Scholarship and a Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Nursing Scholarship.
Christina Maldonado, a senior attending Kent State University and BHS graduate, received a Kovalchin Memorial Scholarship, the Christine Elaine Weigand RN Memorial Scholarship, and a Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Nursing Scholarship.
Saedie Suboticki, attending The University of Akron Wayne Campus and BHS graduate, received a Kovalchin Memorial Scholarship.

About the scholarships:

The Bernadine H. Kovalchin, R.N. Scholarship honors Kovalchin, who was an RN at Barberton Citizens Hospital with 13 years’ service, leaving in 1971 as Assistant Coordinator of Nursing Education. She was a longtime local high school instructor of Vocational Medical Careers Training and worked as a school nurse.

The committee annually recognizes another commendable nurse through the scholarship in honor of Emma Rist, R.N., who was a catalyst for the creation of a Coronary Care Unit and then head nurse of the CCU at Barberton Citizens Hospital. Rist was very dedicated to the nursing profession and a visionary for advancements in nursing.

The Carol A. Storad Nursing Excellence Award recognizes an exemplary woman who began as a staff nurse and retired as Chief Nursing Officer at Barberton Citizens Hospital, serving for 43-years total. After retiring she taught high school students interested in pursuing a nursing career as part of a four-city compact program and was affiliated with The University of Akron.

The Christine Elaine Weigand RN Memorial Scholarship is meant to help future nurses overcome obstacles and to achieve their dreams. She was an extraordinary clinician who spent 30 years as an RN, working as a charge nurse, as a preceptor for new RN employees, and as a care manager on the 5100 unit and in the emergency room at Akron General Medical Center (now Cleveland Clinic Akron General). She was active in National Association of Orthopedic Nurses (NAON) and was honored with an Excellence in Nursing award during Nurses Week in 2002.

About TPHWF

Founded in 1997, the Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Foundation is proud to invest in the education of future nurses and in projects that promote health and wellness in our community.

Mission statement: the Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Foundation promotes wellness and helps extend health care, medical and educational services and opportunities to the residents of Summit County and contiguous counties.