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The Battered Women's Shelter of Summit & Medina Counties
The mission of the Battered Women's Shelter is to lead the community in the prevention of domestic abuse by providing emergency shelter, advocacy and education throughout Summit and Medina County, all in an effort to break the cycle of abuse and help promote peace in every family.
Many issues have been discussed at the Board Meetings over the past 35 years, but the theme of "family peace" has remained constant. The Akron Task Force on Battered Women, now known as the Battered Women's Shelter of Summit and Medina Counties is once again considering a possible name change. The name no longer reflects the gamut of community-based services, prevention programs and transitional living options. No longer is the Board of Directors all women and no longer do we only respond to the needs of female victims. As the only agency in either county specifically focusing its programs and services on domestic violence issues, it has become imperative that we open our doors to all victims of family violence regardless of their sex and any other individual characteristic.
Unfortunately domestic violence has not gone away in the past 33 years. But fortunately, through many years of support by hundreds of staff, Board Members, community agencies and generous donors we have remained a stable, professionally operated agency responding to the needs of family violence victims. Thousands of victims have become survivors with the support, education and empathy provided through this organization. Little did the "founding mothers" know in 1976 and 1977 that their dreams would become reality and that their goals would help so many individuals and families as they journey towards a life of peace.
The Battered Women's Shelter belongs to this community. Therefore, we should all take pride in the accomplishments achieved as the agency has grown. The services and programs provided are a reflection of the good that can come when a small group of people gather together with an identified need and a conscience that believes in the betterment for all. We hope that the "founding mothers" are proud that we continue working everyday to ensure that this remains our focus.
Violet's Cupboard
Always Full of Hope. Serving men, women, and children living with HIV / AIDS and their families since 1989.
What We Do: Our goal is to enhance the quality of daily life for persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families through support, education and counseling. Violet's Cupboard is a one-stop resource where client confidentiality is strictly observed.
Violet's Cupboard is proud of its ability to maximize the use of volunteers and in-kind donations. For every dollar we receive in contributions, we provide nearly two dollars worth of service. Utilizing a staff of nearly 15 members including a dietician, health educator and social workers - we have helped thousands of people.
A United Way agency, Violet's Cupboard aids persons living in Ohio's Summit, Medina, Portage, Stark, Holmes, Carroll, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties. Despite our efforts, the outlook is grim. Nearly 2,300 people in Summit County alone have HIV/AIDS, and some of them don't even know they are infected.
In the next five years, the number of new cases and the number of deaths are expected to triple. People living with this life-threatening ailment and their loved ones often are left with few resources. But they can turn to Violet's Cupboard. It's always full of hope.
Violet's Cupboard takes its name from Violet, a 62-year-old grandmother from Youngstown, Ohio, who was known for her generosity and compassion. In 1984, she contracted HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) from a blood transfusion administered to her during heart surgery. Violet died in 1987.
In 1989, we established our agency in Akron, Ohio, and named it Violet's Cupboard after this courageous, caring woman. Having spent its early years operating from a basement, our agency now features a suite of offices with a comfortable reception area and plenty of office space to ensure privacy.
Akron We Are Family Too 2012