Barberton Community Foundation Awards $100,000 in Grants, Prioritizing Early Learning Support

Barberton Community Foundation Awards $100,000 in Grants, Prioritizing Early Learning Support

by | May 16, 2025 | Announcements, Scholarships

BARBERTON, OH -– On May 15, 2025, the Barberton Community Foundation Board of Directors approved $100,000 in grant funding through its Education, Workforce, and Economic Development Grant Cycle, with more than half of the awarded funds—$55,000—dedicated to supporting Barberton’s youngest learners, ages birth to 5.

This funding aligns with the Foundation’s emerging strategic priority around early childhood education, one of three focus areas currently being explored through its strategic planning process.

The data is compelling: in 2023, just over 22% of Barberton students were identified as “demonstrating readiness” for kindergarten according to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s required Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA). Students who start behind in their proficiency often remain behind throughout their academic careers, scoring lower in 3rd grade reading, 5th grade science, and other important education milestones. The Foundation’s funding strategy aims to interrupt that cycle by supporting high-impact programs for children before they even enter kindergarten.

Executive Director Josh Gordon shared additional context for this early learning investment: “If we want to help our students succeed, we must provide more support as early as possible,” Gordon said. “Imagine what’s possible if our youngest learners began school already equipped with the skills they need?” “We celebrate our school district’s ability to close substantial learning gaps for our students. We also know that if our students arrive on day one of kindergarten with the skills they need to excel, they will start ahead of the curve – and be able to stay ahead!”

Grants supporting ages birth to 5:

  • $25,000 to Early Childhood Resource Center – SPARK Program
    SPARK (Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids) is a no-cost, in-home kindergarten readiness program that assigns a trained “parent partner” to each participating family. These child development professionals conduct monthly learning sessions with parents and children, focused on literacy, math, social-emotional development, and school readiness. Each visit includes a take-home SPARK kit with books and activities to extend learning.
    SPARK has served more than 20,000 Ohio children and is backed by 19 years of data showing statistically significant gains on the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment. Barberton’s grant will fully fund 10 children and their families through August 2026.
  • $20,000 to Child Guidance & Family Solutions – TAPS Program
    TAPS (Toddlers and Preschoolers Succeeding) offers in-classroom support for early childhood educators to help reduce suspensions and expulsions from preschool settings. Through on-site modeling, coaching, and professional development, TAPS helps teachers manage challenging behaviors while promoting emotional resilience, stability for the
    student, and overall classroom success. The program engages the entire family, further strengthening school readiness outcomes for young children.
  • $10,000 to Summit Education Initiative – Barberton Preschool Collaborative
    This new collaborative will bring together Barberton’s preschool providers—many of whom currently operate in isolation—to align instruction, pool data, and offer joint professional development while discussing other potential support. The goal is to create a unified system that better prepares preschoolers for kindergarten by increasing consistency and quality across programs. The initiative aims to support the nearly 1,000 preschool-aged children in Barberton, many of whom currently enter school without meeting basic readiness benchmarks.

Additional Youth Development Grants:

  • $10,000 to National Inventors Hall of Fame – Camp Invention 2025
    Now in its 15th year in Barberton, Camp Invention brings hands-on STEM learning to students in grades K–6 through fun, high-energy summer programming led by local teachers. The Foundation’s grant will fund full or partial scholarships for up to 55 students, ensuring continued access despite the loss of state-level funding that previously supported the program. Barberton’s Camp is also slated to serve as a Vanguard site, piloting the 2026 curriculum ahead of national rollout.
  • $20,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio – Afterschool Program
    This funding supports free, high-quality out of school time (OST) programming for 80 under-resourced K–5 Barberton students through the end of 2025. Focused on three pillars—academic success, health & wellness, and character & leadership—the program offers reading tutoring, math tutoring, STEM activities, literacy support, healthy meals, fitness, mental wellness, and community service opportunities, helping students stay safe, supported, and engaged after school.
  • $15,000 to Limitless Ambition – Purposely Chosen Teen Program
    Serving up to 50 girls ages 11–18 in Barberton City School District during the 2025–26 school year, this program empowers young women through mentorship and social- emotional learning (also known as emotional literacy). Facilitated by women who have overcome adversity themselves, the program equips participants with leadership skills, resilience, and confidence. Executive Director Alicia Robinson describes the program in this way:
    “Few other populations face so many hurdles while holding so much promise within them. And no other organization brings Social-Emotional Learning Theory to life in such an interactive and meaningful way.”
4 Barberton students standing in the library with a handmade sign listing "unhealthy" and "healthy" behavior.
6th grade students in Limitless Ambition, Spring 2024.

This round of grants reflects Barberton Community Foundation’s deepening commitment to youth development and kindergarten readiness, and lays the groundwork for long-term, transformational change in the lives of Barberton’s children and families.

About Barberton Community Foundation

Established in 1996, Barberton Community Foundation has awarded more than 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.

Driving Toward Opportunity: Barberton Community Foundation Establishes New Drivers Education Scholarship for Barberton High School StudentsAnnouncing New Driver’s Ed Scholarship

Driving Toward Opportunity: Barberton Community Foundation Establishes New Drivers Education Scholarship for Barberton High School StudentsAnnouncing New Driver’s Ed Scholarship

by | Mar 14, 2025 | Scholarships

Driving Toward Opportunity: Barberton Community Foundation Establishes New Drivers Education Scholarship for Barberton High School Students

Barberton Community Foundation, in partnership with Barberton City School District, is today announcing a new scholarship program designed to make drivers education more accessible for Barberton High School students.

Addressing a Growing Need

The days of free school-based driving education programs are long gone. Today, Barberton City Schools partners with Myers Driving School to provide drivers education, but the $525 cost per student presents a significant barrier for many families. As a result, fewer students are enrolling, delaying their ability to get a license, secure a first job, and gain the independence that comes with driving.

“Families need support for driver’s education,” said Josh Gordon, Executive Director of Barberton Community Foundation. “Many students want to start their first job at 16, but if they can’t afford driver’s education, they can’t drive in the state of Ohio. We identified this large expense as a barrier for our kid’s families in Barberton, and we want to help.”

The issue becomes clear when looking at the data.

“We’re seeing fewer students applying for their temporary permits and attending driver’s education classes,” explained Henry Muren, Principal of Barberton High School. “We might have four to six students in a class now when we should be seeing 12 to 15. This scholarship is a step toward removing that financial burden and getting more students safely and affordably behind the wheel.”

Scholarship Details

The new Driver’s Education Scholarship is available starting April 1, 2025. Awards range from $125 to $325, depending on financial need, and is open to all students who meet the following criteria:

  • Must be at least 15 years and 6 months old
  • Must have good attendance
  • Must be on track to graduate

There is no deadline to apply—scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. Students interested in applying should first meet with Mr. Henry Muren, Barberton High School Principal, to confirm they meet eligibility requirements.

“These kids are working hard, and I’m excited to be able to share this opportunity with our families,” Muren said. “We know that getting a driver’s license can be life-changing for our students, opening doors to jobs, higher education, and more independence.”

Community Support & Excitement

“This is truly a great partnership for our schools,” said Jason Ondrus, Superintendent of Barberton City School District. “Our goal is to create as many opportunities for our students as possible, and having transportation is an important milestone in their academic career and their life.”

Gordon emphasized that this initiative aligns with the Foundation’s mission of removing barriers to opportunity.

“We don’t want finances to stand in the way of a student’s future,” he said. “By funding this scholarship, we’re helping students gain a skill that will serve them for their whole life.”

Barberton Community Foundation remains committed to breaking down barriers to education, employment, and opportunity for all Barberton residents. By funding this initiative, the Foundation hopes to encourage more students to enroll in driver’s education, ultimately increasing the number of licensed, job-ready young adults in the community.

For more information or to apply, students and families should contact Mr. Muren at Barberton High School. Call the main office at 330-753-1025.

 

2023 Scholarships Open

2023 Scholarships Open

by | Jan 11, 2023 | Announcements, Scholarships

Scholarships open Friday, January 13

Barberton Community Foundation, in partnership with Barberton High School, opens scholarship applications on Friday, January 13, 2023. Scholarships will close at 8 a.m. on Monday, February 13, 2023.

Scholarships are open to both Barberton High School seniors and resident students. Below are some details about the application process, what students can expect, and how to apply.

To start an application, students should create an account in our GOapply system.

Visit https://goapply2.akoyago.com/barbertoncf/ and register as an “individual” to access the scholarship application. Once an account is created, students can click through the “submissions” and “opportunities” pages. In GOapply, students can save drafted applications, write essays, preview scholarships they are eligible for, submit and monitor completed applications.

For student applicants:

It is important that information is accurate, as there is only one application for all scholarships, with a tailored list of eligible scholarships based on the information provided by the student.

To complete the application, be prepared to provide:

  • Standard student activities and college information
  • Combined annual family income
  • SAR (Student Aid Report) from your completed 2023 FASFA
  • Unweighted GPA and weighted GPA from your transcript
  • ACT score
  • Student transcript
  • Two teacher evaluations – student provides the teacher’s email

GOapply login

Be sure to click the “eligible scholarships” tab before submitting. This is where students will find any additional requirements a scholarship might have, such as an essay or letters of recommendation.

Some scholarships will require interviews. These will be scheduled after the application period closes on February 13. Final notification of awards will be made in April.

All questions should be directed to Carrie Herman, Director of Community Impact, Barberton Community Foundation at cherman@barbertoncf.org or call 330-745-5995.

Scholarships at the Foundation:

In 2022, Barberton Community Foundation awarded $127,800 through 79 scholarships to 57 Barberton students. The total value of the Foundation’s multi-year awards is $290,000.

Barberton Community Foundation holds more than 30 scholarships, some created by donors who want to help Barberton residents fulfill their dreams of post-secondary/ higher education. Other scholarships have been created by businesses or organizations who have the same vision. 

New Scholarship Honors Memory of Barberton Pharmacist

New Scholarship Honors Memory of Barberton Pharmacist

by | Jan 10, 2023 | Fund, Scholarships

Walt Ritzman Scholarship Fund

Barberton Community Foundation is proud to announce a new fund: the Walt Ritzman Scholarship Fund established on November 9, 2022, by Donna Keim and her son, Mike Keim.

Donna and Walt ran the Barberton Health Clinic for more than 20 years, and she remembers his passion for helping those in need. “He always believed in helping the underserved,” she said. “He gave, that is what he did.”

Walt Ritzman passed away on November 1, 2011, and his legacy in Barberton includes running and growing the Ritzman Pharmacy chain, serving as a trustee at Barberton Citizens Hospital and then serving as an inaugural board member of Barberton Community Foundation. He also sponsored school sports teams and volunteered during the Mum Festival.

Donna says that one of Walt’s greatest passions was working at the Barberton Community Health Clinic to help the underprivileged and uninsured in Barberton. Walt had established an endowed fund at the Foundation to benefit the clinic in 2001. With the closure of the clinic, the purpose of the fund needed to change.

Mike explained, “When the clinic closed, the fund was still active. The Board of Directors approved of a new purpose for the fund which will further Walt’s contribution to the community and honor his legacy as a pharmacist and philanthropist by creating a scholarship in his name.”

“Walt believed that we needed more pharmacists. The Foundation will use the fund to further the educational goals of any Barberton High School graduate who wishes to become a pharmacist and attend Walt’s alma mater of Ohio Northern University or attend The Ohio State University.”

To support the Walt Ritzman Scholarship Fund, call 330-745-5995, or address your check to 460 W. Paige Ave. Barberton, OH 44203, with the Walt Ritzman Scholarship in the memo line. Donations can also be made online through our secure giving platform, Qgiv.

An Outstanding Citizen

Walt Ritzman received the Outstanding Citizen award during the Foundation’s 2003 Community Recognition Dinner.

Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Foundation Celebrates 2022 Nursing Scholarship Recipients

Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Foundation Celebrates 2022 Nursing Scholarship Recipients

by | Jul 18, 2022 | Scholarships

Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Foundation Celebrates the 2022 Nursing Scholarship Awardees

Scholarship event photos:

Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Foundation awarded $38,800 to 10 nursing students on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. 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.

Dr. Doug Gormley, a past-president on the board of governors, said that he enjoyed meeting in person again. “It has been two years since we’ve been able to gather to congratulate these students. It is wonderful to enjoy a meal with them, learn about their progress in school and see the pride in their parents’ faces. As a donor and a board member, today is about celebrating and supporting them.”

Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Foundation’s scholarship model allows students to apply for scholarships every year they are in an accredited nursing program. Several of the students have received scholarships in previous years.

Mary Jo Goss, a registered nurse and member of the board of governors, said it’s rewarding to see the students’ progress through the years of their studies. “I am particularly proud of the growth I have seen in Zack Scalf,” she said. “He has been a recipient of our scholarships for three years now and in his senior year, his maturity stands out. I believe he is going to do well.”

Mary Jo asked the final-year students to share a favorite or memorable moment from one of their nursing experiences. Students shared memories of their first shifts in trauma care, providing support at vaccine clinics and the joy of caring for a new baby. She said, “As you continue your journey in this career, over the years you’ll be faced with many challenges. I want you to remember the story you shared today and pull strength from it.”

Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Foundation is proud introduce the 2022 scholarship recipients:

  • Todd Besse is a junior attending The University of Akron; he received a Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Nursing Scholarship.
  • Sophie Burns is a senior attending The Ohio State University; she received the Scholarship in Memory of Emma Rist, RN and The Christine Elaine Weigand RN Memorial Scholarship.
  • Molly Cunningham is a sophomore attending Kent State University at Stark; she received the Kovalchin Memorial Scholarship and a Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Nursing Scholarship.
  • Madeline Gay, a senior at Malone University, received a Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Nursing Scholarship.
  • Sydney Graffice is a senior at the University of Mount Union; she received a Kovalchin Memorial Scholarship and a Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Nursing Scholarship.
  • Christina Maldonado is a sophomore attending Kent State University; she received a Kovalchin Memorial Scholarship and a Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Nursing Scholarship.
  • Madeleine Ray, a sophomore attending The University of Akron, received a Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Nursing Scholarship.
  • Macy Ries, a senior attending The University of Akron, received a Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Nursing Scholarship.
  • Zachary Scalf is a senior at Hiram University; he received the Carol A. Storad Nursing Excellence Scholarship.
  • Layah Taylor is a sophomore attending The University of Akron; she received a Tuscora Park Health and Wellness Nursing Scholarship.

About the scholarships:

The Bernadine H. Kovalchin, R.N. Scholarship Fund 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 recognizes another commendable nurse with the “Scholarship in Memory of Emma Rist. Rist was head nurse of the Coronary Care Unit at Barberton Citizens Hospital and was very dedicated to the nursing profession.

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 NAON (National Association of Orthopedic Nurses) and was honored with an Excellence in Nursing award during Nurses Week in 2002.

White Rabbit Galleries Establishes a New Scholarship

White Rabbit Galleries Establishes a New Scholarship

by | Jan 5, 2022 | Announcements, Fund, Scholarships

Barberton Community Foundation Logo

White Rabbit Galleries Establishes a New Scholarship

Barberton Community Foundation is pleased to announce the White Rabbit Galleries Scholarship Fund established by Laura Smith and Molly Brown. This scholarship is dedicated to supporting the local Arts and Artists in Barberton by assisting Barberton students pursuing an arts degree.

White Rabbit Galleries, women-owned and established in January 2021, is located at 571 W. Tuscarawas Ave. It is operated by Laura Smith and her daughter, Molly Brown. In addition to a large public gallery, they rent space to seven artists and curate a regular schedule of shows. Molly is a full-time artist, previously working as a resident artist of Summit Artspace on Tusc. When Summit Artspace closed their gallery in 2020, Molly and Laura had a vision for a fresh start.

“When Molly and I talked about it, we knew we needed to be vocal about supporting the arts. We know how much support athletics gets in Barberton,” said Laura. “We wanted to send a message to kids: the arts are valuable, too.”  

Their first show was the Student Art Show in April 2021. Then in May, Tracy Marsh approached them for a memorial show for his wife, and the Carol Marsh Memorial Show kicked off their grand opening. Proceeds from the show and an additional gift in honor of Suzanne Jones Richardson provided the initial principle for the scholarship.

“White Rabbit is more than a gallery,” Molly said. “We want to make a bridge for the artist to the community.” She is proud of their subheading: Community Art Center. “We put the emphasis on community,” she said.

Molly graduated from Barberton High School, where she attended art classes taught by Ron White. She credits his teaching with declaring art as her major in college and completing her BA in Studio Arts. “I had a fantastic experience with the arts when I went to BHS. We had a fully functional darkroom for photography. That’s what really got me started. We have drawing, glass, metal working and ceramics because of Ron White. Other schools don’t have the creative experiences that we have in Barberton.” She added, “He taught me how to offer and take constructive criticism; something you don’t normally learn how to do until college.”

Molly hopes this scholarship will reflect her family’s broader mission at White Rabbit Galleries: to help students have confidence and a bridge to art.

This bridge will need support.  Laura changed her career choice from an art focus when she was in college because she didn’t feel supported. She looked at her daughter and said, “But I changed my life so that I could support my kids.” This is a generational change in the family. Laura wanted her daughter to be able to pursue an arts degree because she understood that desire not being able to pursue it. “As a parent, what you hear about scholarships is, you’re either smart, or athletic. You don’t see encouragement for art. This is such a blue-collar, hard-working community. But art is hard work too. You don’t have to appreciate all of it; art is just as important an outlet as therapy. It’s necessary.”

Laura hopes the scholarship will be a good start to supporting young local artists. White Rabbit Galleries is planning a student show in the spring and hopes to encourage young artists to utilize the consignment option at the front of the building.

Currently, White Rabbit Galleries is hosting their Squared Fundraising Show. The theme of the show is just that – square. Every art piece must be square – and prices are set by size varying from 5×5 to larger pieces. The show runs until January 22. Then, in February, they will host the Remarkable Diner Artist Collective, featuring Lance Apple, Jack Hickson and Dennis and Denise Lundell. “We are incredibly excited,” said Molly. “We’re all looking forward to seeing what comes next. There are a lot of possibilities for this space.”

White Rabbit Galleries Scholarship Fund celebrates those who have supported the arts. Scholarships are given in memory of Suzanne Jones Richardson and Carol Marsh. If you would like to support this fund, please give us a call or you can donate now. They hope to make their first scholarship award this spring.