January 2023

It's a new year! We are continuing to celebrate the

20th year of Project GRAD Akron.

The past few months have been busy for us but we wanted to take a moment to thank you for supporting our organization and the students we serve in the Akron Public Schools!

In addition to the daily programs and services for students at our schools in the Buchtel, East, North, and Garfield Clusters, during the last quarter we kept busy with many other activities. In October, we held our 15th annual Achieving Dreams Celebration Gala with a sold-out affair at the John S. Knight Convention Center, where we recognized some outstanding supporters and shared highlights of our 20 years of service! If you missed the pictures, please click here to see some of the Gala photos (and click here to view the photo booth pictures!). As promised, we earmarked more than $50,000.00 of the proceeds from the Gala to support scholarships for our students at Buchtel and East!

📕 Scroll through the 2022 Souvenir Book by clicking here.

In November, Project GRAD Akron was selected as one of the organizations to receive matching funds from Wayside Furniture's After-Thanksgiving Giving Event. Thank you to all who donated and to Wayside for the matching funds.

In December, we hosted our 16th Annual Breakfast and Educational Fun with Santa; provided opportunities for our college students to speak to our younger students; provided outreach and baskets to families; enjoyed a staff holiday party of fun, games, and fellowship; wrapped up the end of the calendar year activities for students and families; and much more!

What is on the horizon for this year?

Project GRAD Akron's incredible staff and team members have not missed a beat as we continue to provide programs and services for students and families. We are still recruiting mentors to work with our students (see below); distributing scholarship payments for our college students; providing in-school and after-school services to students; providing intervention services; implementing 2nd semester programs; planning summer activities for our students from kindergarten to college, and so much more!

In December and January, Project GRAD Akron was notified of grants and/or funding from the following organizations: Akron Public Schools, the City of Akron, GAR Foundation, National College Attainment Network (NCAN), Ohio Department of Education, Synthomer Foundation, the United Way of Summit & Medina, as well as some corporate, individual, and anonymous donors! The funding will support a variety of our initiatives and will support students as we continue with our GRAD motto that Graduation Really Achieves Dreams! Thank you!

If you are interested in getting involved, please feel free to contact us at 330-761-3113, via email at info@projectgradakron.org, or visit our website at www.projectgradakron.org! Your support is always appreciated and greatly needed! We wish you a happy, healthy, and safe 2023!

Project GRAD Akron’s 16^th Annual Breakfast and Educational Fun with Santa returned to an in-person event. For the past 2 years, during the pandemic, PGA improvised with virtual activities and supported numerous families. On Saturday, December 3, 2022, we held the event simultaneously at two locations, Buchtel CLC and East CLC of the Akron Public Schools. We had two great Santas, lots of volunteer support from numerous organizations, and hundreds of children who had a great time making crafts, storytelling, and enjoying a morning of fun! Great door prizes, photos with Santa, and of course, breakfast, made the event a wonderful success.

Project GRAD Akron also partnered with the Akron Public Schools and the United Way of Summit and Medina for the family events. A special thank you is extended to AmeriHealth Caritas for their donation to support the event as well as the City of Akron for its annual hugs, gloves, and gift cards for families.  Save the date for Saturday, December 2, 2023 for our annual free event!

Save the Date for March GRADness! 🏀

Project GRAD Akron's 9th Annual March GRADness will be held on April 3, 2023. This event will feature delicious food stations, raffles, games with prizes, beverages, and much more! Whether you enjoy basketball or not, this event has something for everyone to enjoy.

Help a student achieve the dream by becoming a volunteer GRAD Mentor! 

If you are interested in volunteering with us at Project GRAD Akron in 2023,

please contact us at info@projectgradakron.org or visit our website.

Click on the social media links to connect with Project GRAD Akron!

www.projectgradakron.org