(Stark County, OH) December 9, 2024. North Canton Medical Foundation recently provided funding for an Access Health Stark County community health worker (CHW) for Gibbs Elementary School in collaboration with United Way of Greater Stark County’s Strong Neighborhoods, Strong Families initiative. North Canton Medical Foundation is a 501(c)3 foundation whose mission is to improve the health and wellness of the community through collaborations and financial support.
The CHW supports families with young children living in poverty and helps address health inequities by connecting clients to resources needed to overcome barriers such as lack of insurance, primary and dental care, transportation, healthy food, housing, legal aid and medication. “These supports are key to stabilizing a child’s home environment and reducing extreme stress experienced by families,” commented Adrianne Price, vice president of community impact for United Way. “Together we are building our community’s capacity to alleviate the impact of poverty and empowering families to reach their full potential.”
United Way of Greater Stark County’s Strong Neighborhoods, Strong Families launched in 2022 to address high concentrations of childhood poverty in the community. One in 5 children in Stark County lives in poverty, in parts of Alliance, Canton and Massillon, with ranges from 40-80%. United Way is working with local schools in the community to address key factors contributing to generational poverty and associated Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
Strong Neighborhoods, Strong Families now operates in 3 schools: Gibbs Elementary School in Canton, Alliance Preschool in Alliance, Franklin Elementary and Massillon Preschool in Massillon. “Over 1,000 children are enrolled,” Price continued. “Their families have very low income, and many have experienced a significant number of adverse childhood experiences, ranging from violence, poverty, addiction, food insecurity and more.”