Every year, the Rotary Club of Akron (RCOA) is eligible to apply for Rotary District Matching Grants up to $7,000 ($3,500 from District; $3,500 from RCOA). Projects must fall in the following areas of service: Peace & Conflict (Prevention/Solution); Disease Prevention & Treatment; Water & Sanitation; Maternal & Child Health & Welfare; Basic Education & Literacy; Economic or Community Development and new in 2020—Supporting the Environment.
The recipient of the 2020-2021 Matching District Grant is The Well CDC! The RCOA Board of Directors selected The Well’s Akron Hope program after reviewing seven proposals from worthwhile area non-profits. The Akron Hope program serves Mason Community Learning Center, the local elementary school in the Middlebury neighborhood on the eastside of Akron.
The goals of Akron Hope are to connect families to stable housing, living wage jobs, and other community resources; provide resources for students to succeed academically, emotionally, and socially; and increase the civic engagement of parents within the school and the community. The program hopes to serve 600+ students (including 300+ at a second elementary school) and 100+ families.
One of the requirements for receiving the matching grant is including meaningful Rotarian involvement. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Akron Hope program has adjusted its Community Connection programming. They still plan to involve Rotary with safe volunteer opportunities to connect with students and parents—either virtually or via socially distanced outside events. Please watch for news on how to participate in coming months!
To learn more about Akron Hope, visit their website: https://thewellakron.com/akronhope/ .
