Updated: Apr 5, 2018

October 12, 2017 by The Akronist

(Photo: Jason Miller)

Huntington Bank partners with United Way, city of Akron to launch Summit County’s first Financial Empowerment Center in Kenmore

A closed down Huntington Bank branch on Kenmore Boulevard will see new life as the county’s first Financial Empowerment Center.

United Way of Summit County, the city of Akron and Huntington National Bank today announced that they are launching the center thanks to a donation made possible by Huntington Bank to United Way of Summit county.

The 4,000-square-foot facility, located at 1060 Kenmore Blvd., will provide a venue for financial counselors – hired and trained by United Way – to meet with residents and help them build assets, reduce debt, budget for the future, improve their credit scores and access safe and affordable banking services.

Set to open in the first quarter of 2018, the Financial Empowerment Center in Kenmore will directly support United Way’s Bold Goals, which seek to improve key conditions in the local community by 2025.

For its Bold Goal #3, United Way is working to financially empower 11,000 Akron residents, especially those who are working, but who are struggling to get traction financially.

“We are extremely grateful to Huntington Bank for giving us the opportunity to accelerate our Bold Goal work in partnership with the city of Akron,” said Jim Mullen, United Way president and CEO. “United Way’s Financial Empowerment Centers will help thousands of Akron residents build more stable, financially secure lives. And we are thrilled that the people of Kenmore will be there to help us build a better future for Akron, just as they are working so hard to revitalize their own community.”

A recent study commissioned by Ohio United Way, United Way of Summit County and 45 other Ohio United Ways draws attention to the struggles of Ohio’s working families. Released earlier this month, the Ohio ALICE Report found that 40 percent of Summit County households – and 57 percent of Akron households – earn less than Ohio’s basic cost of living.

United Way says this is the same population it hopes to partner with through its Financial Empowerment Centers.

“Kenmore is a vibrant neighborhood at a tipping point in its development,” said Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan. 
“The City is working hard to facilitate a continued stream of public, private and philanthropic investment into Akron that will have a significant impact on the social and economic health of our neighborhoods. We are incredibly proud to welcome the first United Way Financial Empowerment Center to the Kenmore neighborhood to complement the growing activity along Kenmore Boulevard and to provide valuable services that will help empower and uplift our working families.  We look forward to being a key partner in the 
Center’s success here in Akron.”

“Huntington is proud to partner with United Way and the City of Akron to invest in pathways that lead to a stronger tomorrow,” said Nicholas Browning, president of Huntington Bank’s Greater Akron Region. “The Financial Empowerment Center will benefit thousands of people in Summit County. Our friends and neighbors will now have access to sound financial education and counseling, which will strengthen the fabric of our community by enabling families to pursue their dreams and secure a future filled with financial success.”

The facility – located in the heart of Kenmore in southwest Akron, adjacent to neighboring Barberton – will enable United Way to serve residents of Akron and Barberton, and the lessons the organization learns there will fuel the expansion of Financial Empowerment Centers to other locations in Akron.

“This is a landmark moment for United Way of Summit County,” said Christine Mayer, chair of United Way’s board of directors. “It’s an important step towards the board’s vision of a United Way that advances its work both through partnership with other nonprofits, and through direct service. With this donation, Huntington has greatly accelerated our first foray into the direct service part of that vision.” 

“We are incredibly thankful to Huntington Bank and to the residents of Kenmore with whom we are eager to partner,” she added.

Find out more about United Way’s forthcoming Financial Empowerment Centers at uwsummit.org/FEC.

Visit uwsummit.org or huntington.com for info.

December 26, 2017 by The Akronite

Cash prize, production of art offered as part of @PLAY’s ‘Kenmore Imagineer’

A new interactive coloring book, called the “Kenmore Imagineer,” is sourcing ideas from the community to install public art along Kenmore Boulevard.

Art x Love, based in Akron, printed and distributed 3,000 copies to local shops, Kenmore public schools and the Kenmore Branch Library.

Mac Love, chief catalyst at Art x Love, and leader of @PLAY, the Knight Cities grant project responsible for the “Kenmore Imagineer,” said the project has received dozens of submissions. “I cannot wait to see what the rest of Akron comes up with for Kenmore Boulevard,” he said. “We’re not judging submissions on artistic talent. We’re interested in people’s best ideas to celebrate Kenmore’s history, identity, and independent spirit.”

To spark and reward that creativity, a $100 cash prize is being awarded to the best entry for each location in the “Kenmore Imagineer,” which features 15 pages of potential public art locations. On top of this, the Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance has agreed to finance the production of one winner’s entry, making someone’s vision for Kenmore a reality.

Submissions are due by Jan. 31 and will be displayed as a public art exhibition at The Rialto Theatre, opening Thursday, Feb. 8, from 5 to 8 p.m.

The “Kenmore Imagineer” may be downloaded for free at www.ARTxLOVE.com/blog/imagineer.

Submissions may be dropped off at the Kenmore Branch Library, 969 Kenmore Blvd., mailed to Art x Love at 157 King James Way, Akron, OH 44308, or emailed to contact@artxlove.com.

October 10, 2016 by The Akronist

Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance and Wandering Aesthetics partner to present “The Stories of Kenmore” at the Rialto Theatre.

“The Stories of Kenmore” will be held on Thursday, Oct. 20 at the Rialto Theatre at 1000 Kenmore Blvd. • Akron, OH. This event will feature live storytelling, Pierre’s Brooklyn Pizza and cash bar. Doors open at 6 p.m., stories begin at 6:30 p.m.

This event is free. For more information please call Angela at (330) 217-1280 or email KNAcares@yahoo.com.

ABOUT THE EVENT

Akron’s Kenmore area is comprised of several facets: the village it once was, resonating across generations and distance; the community of need and those committed to its healing; the section a city, drifting from the neighborhood’s embrace.

“The Stories of Kenmore” is an event designed to meld vintage with what’s new, in a space where past is also present. We hope to start a process that will craft a new and shared identity– a sense of place and pride for all of our residents.

There will seven storytellers, among them: Captain Brian Simcox of the APD, Ameer Williamson, a Positive Hip Hop Artist, and Ward 9 Councilman Mike Freeman and the Coach Kemp Boyd. There will also be an opportunity for attendees to tell their own “Kenmore story.”

THE STORYTELLERS

Chris Miller, who grew up in Kenmore, is one of seven storytellers. Community members will also be invited to tell their own stories throughout the evening. (Photo: Emily Durway)

Brian Simcox Captain, APD Zone 2 Story Title: “Growing up in Kenmore”

Ameer Williamson Positive Hip Hop Artist Story Title: “Positive Artist in a Negative World”

Chris Miller Akron Community Foundation & The Akronist Story Title: TBA

Kemp Boyd Coach, Kenmore Football Team Story Title: “Football is More Than a Game”

David Hoppe President, Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance Story “A Boulevard Child”

Mike Freeman Akron City Councilman Ward 9 Story Title: “untitled”

Richard Cardarelli Kenmore Kiwanis Story Title: TBA

Greg Burke Captain, Neighborhood Block Watch Story Title “A Kenmore Who’s Who?”

KENMORE NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE MISSION

To enhance our community by reaching out to all residents to engage them in effecting cultural, artistic, recreational and business revitalization.