NeighborWorks Weeks 2026

community impact through homeownership

CEO and President of EANDC Cheryl Stephens with Ward 5 Councilman Johnnie Hannah and Rev. Dr. Charles Myricks Jr. of Arlington Church of God

From May 23, 2026 to June 7, 2026, NeighborWorks and EANDC brought community engagement and volunteer driven events to East Akron and Middlebury neighborhoods.

On Friday, May 29, 2026, EANDC hosted the Creating Homes, Building America Block Party held at Minson Plaza and Baird Street in Akron. It was a time of uplifting the East Akron community through showcasing our Center for Homeownership, local artists, social service agencies, and civic leaders in the community. There was a sense of nostalgia that everyone felt as the Goodyear blimp flew through the sunny skies. Social service agencies networked with each other and provided resources that would improve a family’s livelihood.

A line dancing class led by an EANDC staff member.

CEO and President of EANDC, Ms. Cheryl Stephens started the block party with a welcoming announcement followed by Ward 5 Councilman Johnnie Hannah. Then agencies and neighbors heard great voices from a local singer and poet. One of our staff member’s led a line dancing class. Everyone brought the rhythm and moves as people were waiting in line for hot dogs and burgers provided by our sponsors. A few moms were in line for the fruit trees provided by The Big Love Network in Akron.

Intro to Homebuying Class taught by Our Center for Homeownership

Our Center for Homeownership team conducted an Intro to Homebuying Class that involved a discussion with current renters. One discussion involved our financial literacy counselor and current homeowner about her experience taking a homebuyer education class and the obstacles she faced along the way. Our Center for Homeownership manager spoke with Dr. Yvette Lester, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. They spoke about the mental blocks someone has when it comes to buying a home for the first time and how does someone overcome those mental blocks. Most of the attendees were able to leave with a gift and the knowledge to buy a home confidently in Akron.

There was a special appearance from Mark Greer, at-large Akron City Council Member. He shared a few words about his support towards EANDC and the joy he felt in the community.

At-Large Akron City Councilman Mark Greer on the stage alongside members of the City of Akron

Thank you to the social service agencies and nonprofits for your support in homeownership and affordable housing. A special thank you to our sponsors NeighborWorks, The Arlington Church of God, The City of Akron, Centenary United Methodist Church, Dave’s Market, Livingstone Apostolic Church, South Arlington United Methodist Church, Akron Cheap Cars, and Family of Faith United Methodist Church.

EANDC Staff, Judi Hill President of The Akron NAACP, Beth Vild, COO and Director of Programming of The Big Love Network, Tara L. Mosley, and volunteers

On Saturday, June 6, 2026 EANDC staff members collaborate with The Akron NAACP to do an East Akron and Middlebury neighborhood cleanup and planting at our properties. Our residents can now beautiful plants as they enter the lobby to their apartments. Thank you to NeighborWorks, The Big Love Network in Akron, and The Akron NAACP for volunteering, donating, and educating us on how to take care of our environments together.

Amplify Impact Together With The 100 Men

A Collaboration Focused on Community Health and Building Thriving Neighborhoods in East Akron 

At EANDC, we actively support the Akron communities we serve by providing housing and expanding access to resources that strengthen their future. We are proud to continue our partnership with the Minority Behavioral Health Group and “The 100 Men.” Through this partnership, we provide space in our gymnasium for training for young men starting at age 18. Together, we are building thriving neighborhoods.

The 100 Men operates as a program of the Minority Behavioral Health Group. The program trains young men in nonviolent conflict resolution and provides mental health support. The Minority Behavioral Health Group developed the 100 Men program to promote community empowerment, positive role modeling, and job placement throughout the Akron area. The program focuses on three core areas: mental health, rites of passage that reinforce community stability, and job placement.

An Overnight Camping Trip With A Cohort

The Minority Behavioral Health Group is a community mental health agency made up of psychologists, counselors, pastors, case managers, and administrative staff who deliver culturally appropriate and comprehensive behavioral health services across Summit, Portage, Stark, Franklin, and Cuyahoga counties. The organization also serves as a vital resource for minority communities by offering counseling, education, outreach, and consultation services.

A Community Service Event

If you have any questions and are interested in joining, please contact Angelo Anderson at (330) 459-9774 or email aanderson@mbhg.org.

EANDC Remembers Dave's Markets Founder Burton Saltzman

Dave’s Markets at Middlebury Plaza

EANDC joins the Akron and Cleveland communities in mourning the passing of Burton Saltzman, a visionary leader whose work helped reshape access to quality food in our neighborhoods. Through his leadership with Dave’s Markets, Burton believed that urban communities deserved the same investment, opportunity, and dignity as any community. 

Dave’s leadership--Mr. Saltzman and his two sons--came to Akron at the request of EANDC’s former President and CEO Grady Appleton, as EANDC was developing the Middlebury Market Plaza. Dave’s Markets in Middlebury Plaza is the result of collaboration with EANDC. Its continued presence reflects Dave’s, and the Saltzman Family’s, commitment to keeping food service options alive and vibrant in five Akron neighborhoods. 

Rest in peace, Burton. Your impact will continue to nourish this community for generations.

The Safe Mobility Project Car Seat Distribution

In Collaboration With The Akron Children's Hospital and The Goodyear Foundation

This past Tuesday, January 13, 2026, The Akron Children’s Hospital and The Goodyear Foundation collaborated with EANDC to expand child safety programs focusing on child passenger seats. The program also includes education on bicycle safety and teen safe driving. The car seat distribution included information Tuesday on training and installing car seats for children. Other useful resources were provided by the external affairs department at The Akron Children’s Hospital, such as hygiene kits for the parents and nurseries.  

Hygiene Kits provided by the Akron Children’s Hospital

Car Seat Selection Tool provided for the parents.

At EANDC, we value the health and safety of our residents and the communities that we serve in Summit County. We had parents that have SNAP and/ or Medicaid coming from different parts of Summit County with their children who cannot afford a car seat for their children. We were able to witness parents who were eager to learn and to be trained on child passenger safety to keep their child safe. In addition, the parents who were eligible got to receive a free car seat. We collaborated with The Akron Children’s Hospital last year on this program, and appointments were filled up more than last year. It’s great to see the positive impact we have on our communities by doing a community partnership and Akron’s support.

5 Things Everyone Should Know About Home Fire Safety

At EANDC, we are committed to providing safe, affordable homes for the community — and we recognize that home safety starts with you. The following tips and suggestions will help keep your home and family safe, especially in the winter months when heating units cause an increased risk of fire.

In November of 2022, Akron City Council passed an ordinance requiring Carbon Monoxide detectors in all homes and apartments that use fuel-burning appliances. When the city announced the decision, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Clarence Tucker said, This ordinance helps us better protect Akron residents by not only requiring detectors in residential buildings but also bringing this issue to the forefront so we can educate residents about the dangers of not having a detector in their home.”

Thank you to our community partners at the Akron Fire Department for all their efforts to protect lives in our community. The list below is based on their Preventing Fires in the Home: Fire Safety Checklist and printed copies of their fire safety brochure are available in the EANDC lobby at 550 South Arlington, Akron, OH 44306.

1. Pay Attention to Fire Safety In the Kitchen

Most home fires are caused by cooking. Please share the steps below with your family to prevent a cooking fire in your home:

• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying food

• If you leave the kitchen, turn the burner off

• Keep things that can burn (paper towels, etc.) away from your cooking area

• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so they won’t get bumped

• Keep children away from the stovetop and oven

2. Heat Your Home Safely When the Temperatures Drop

Please reach out to the maintenance department or landlord right away if you rent an apartment or home and have any concerns about the heat. Winter heating is the second leading cause of home fires, but you can keep your home and family safe with these safety tips:

• Portable heaters should not be used as the main source of heat in your home

• Keep children and anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from wood stoves, portable heaters, fireplaces, and radiators

• When you leave a room to go to bed, turn heaters off or unplug them

• Have your furnace, chimney, and chimney connector inspected and cleaned regularly

3. Install Smoke Alarms and Check Batteries Regularly

The following smoke alarm recommendations could help keep your home and family safe:

• Smoke alarms should be on every level of the house

• Smoke alarms should be in sleeping areas and in main hallways

• Change smoke alarm batteries as needed

• All smoke alarms should be less than ten years old

4. Know the Risks of Space Heaters and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

“Carbon monoxide is commonly known as the 'silent killer' because it's colorless, odorless, tasteless, and in most cases non-irritating," says Akron’s Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Clarence Tucker. “If you don't catch the early signs of carbon monoxide poisoning (headache, dizziness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion), it's quite possible that you may lose consciousness before being able to call for help and then it may be too late.”

Unvented space heaters in the home are the most common source of CO poisoning. An unvented space heater puts the gas from fuel or gasoline into the room instead of outdoors. Heaters used regularly inside the home should have the following:

• A “tip over” switch that shuts the unit down if it falls over

• Overheat protection that shuts the unit off if it gets too hot

• A thermostat that monitors room temperature, turning the unit off and on automatically

• For combustion units, a low-oxygen sensor that shuts the heater off before a room loses too much oxygen

• For electric heaters, pay attention to any damaged or fraying cords, especially if you have pets in the house that might chew cords

A carbon monoxide detector can help protect your home and family. Carbon monoxide detectors are also recommended for all homes. One should be on each level of your house. These should be less than seven years old to ensure they pick up dangerous gas.

5. How to Use Candles Safely

Cold winter days are when people want to snuggle up with a warm blanket and candle. Unfortunately, using an open flame always comes with fire risks, so keep in mind the following suggestions for safe home candle use.

• Do not light candles for longer than 4 hours and let them return to room temperature before relighting the wick

• Candles should only be used while an adult is present

• Any candles should be in sturdy, fireproof containers that can’t be tipped over

• Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to bed

• Pets and children should not be left alone with burning candles