ACCESS, Inc.

ACCESS urgently needs meal server volunteers and meal donations to support the women and children at our emergency shelter. 🍽 Donate a Meal: Every meal you donate helps provide nourishment and hope to someone in need. 💜 Volunteer as a Meal Server: Your time serving meals makes a real difference in the lives of those we support. Ready to help? Follow https://ow.ly/tVch50VgF8y for more information on how you can make an impact!

The NWSN is proud to have our Director, Grettel Jiménez-Singer, speak at ACCESS, Inc.’s 19th annual State of the Shelter Breakfast. Please click the original post to see how to attend!

Thank you to Peninsula Coffee House and Jenni's Desserts for donating these amazing baked goods to ACCESS! Your generosity brought joy to the women and children at our shelter 💜🍪

Join us for the 19th Annual State of the Shelter Breakfast! This event will feature insights from Grettel Jiménez-Singer, Director of the National Women’s Shelter Network, and highlight the ongoing work to support women and children experiencing homelessness in Summit County. We will also honor the recipient of the Lynn M. Budnick Empowered Woman Award, who will receive a special Congressional recognition from the office of Congresswoman Emilia Sykes, along with the presentation of the Terry J. Steel Community Excellence Award. 📅 When: 7AM-9AM Where: Quaker Station, Akron Emcee: Todd Bertsch | Keynote Speaker: Grettel Jiménez-Singer Each ticket purchased includes parking, admission to the program, a reserved seat at a table, a buffet-style breakfast with allergy-friendly options, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Happy birthday to Kristen Swinehart , ACCESS' 2025 Board President!🎉 Kristen's journey with ACCESS began as a volunteer, where she witnessed firsthand the impact of providing shelter and support to women and children. As President, she is committed to growing awareness across Summit County—ensuring more people know about ACCESS' vital mission and how others can make a difference. If you're interested in supporting ACCESS with your time, talents, or treasures, feel free to reach out to Kristen at kristen_radilovic@goodyear.com! 💜

As winter comes to a close, we're reflecting with gratitude on Driving Schools of Ohio for being an Adopt the Shelter sponsor. 💜 Their generosity ensured that we had the financial support to cover the additional costs of operating our shelter during the coldest months. Thank you, Driving Schools of Ohio, for helping us provide warmth, meals, and essentials this winter.

On Friday, February 28, we attended the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank's Harvest for Hunger Campaign Kick Off Luncheon where we had the honor of hearing President and CEO Dan Flowers’ address. Dan chose to dedicate his time on stage to sharing his personal mental health experiences, oftentimes demonstrating a vulnerability we rarely see in private settings much less in a ballroom full of professionals. Dan’s call to end the stigma, to be a beacon of support for others, and to prioritize our mental wellbeing are all part of the foundation of the work we do here at the ADM Board, which the crowd was reminded of when Dan talked about his time as a Board of Directors member with us. Dan’s decision to talk about his mental health journey was unexpected; however, his powerful story and message resonated around the full room. If you know Dan, then you know he does not shy away from the hard conversations, and his passion for helping others is evident in his life-long dedication to serving his community. The County of Summit ADM Board thanks Dan for sharing his story, for being an unwavering champion for mental wellness, and for reminding everyone in the room that the only way we can go forward is together.#ADMBoard #MentalHealthisHealth (📷: Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank)

Mental health and substance use challenges aren’t always easy to recognize—that’s why education is key. Thanks to David Shea from Coleman Health Services, ACCESS staff is receiving Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training at no cost! This program equips our team with the tools to identify warning signs, understand risk factors, and provide timely support. Together, we’re working to end the stigma, build a more informed community, and save lives. Thank you, Coleman Health Services, for this invaluable training! 💜

ACCESS’ Director of Development, Brianne Neal, recently visited the Lotus House Women’s Shelter in Miami, Florida. A big thank you to the team for the warm welcome and insightful tour, and for sharing how they have made some big dreams come true for their city. The impact they’re having is truly inspiring and insightful. 💜

On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, Aladdin's Medina is donating 10% of dine-in and carryout sales to United Way of Summit & Medina. Enjoy a delicious meal while supporting our mission to uplift our community!