Homelessness

THE UNSEEN HOMELESS – 2013-08-14

By Dorothy Markulis

Project RISEWe’ve all seen the homeless men on street corners with cardboard signs asking for a hand-up or a hand-out but most of us are unaware of the unseen homeless: the more than 1,200 homeless children in Akron assisted by Project R.I.S.E.

“This year we identified 1,200 homeless students in our district,” said Debra Manteghi, district homeless education liaison and project manager of Project R.I.S.E. – Realizing Individual Strength through Education – for the Akron Public Schools.

The numbers are increasing. The prior school year worked with 1,000 homeless children.

And if you think homeless children is a new problem, think again.

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November 4, 2013
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Taste It & Make It, Healthy Summer Food Series (Part 2) – 2013-08-09

By: Katie Sobiech

Local FoodThis is the 3rd summer that Nino Judah, Owner of Mike’s Little Market, on Ira Avenue , has had a cooler full of fresh fruits and veggies, and a stand in the back for bananas, onions and other healthy foods.

And so far, it’s been a hit.

“It pretty much took off. It’s been really good for the store itself; it’s given it a different image as far as groceries. It’s not just a corner store selling tobacco and alcohol,” Judah explained.

It’s refreshing to see a colorful display of bananas, potatoes, tomatoes, green peppers and onions placed between the wine cooler and racks of potato chips and other processed foods.

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November 4, 2013
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Taste It & Make It, Healthy Summer Food Series (Part 1 of 2) – 2013-08-02

By: Katie Sobiech

Local FoodSomething fresh and new is on the horizon for local, inner city communities and corner stores located in what are known as “food deserts”.

Believe it or not, food deserts do exist here in Akron.

Lack of fresh, healthy foods is an issue for many of our inner city communities. Just stop by any convenience store and you’ll see rows of candy, soda and other unhealthy items, while quality, whole foods are scarce. Akron Summit Community Action (ASCA), Let’s Grow Akron (LGA), Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA) and other food-movement-minded groups and health conscious individuals have noticed this and taken action.

Some of their initiatives include the Taste it & Make it Series, Corner Store Project and Talks in the Garden. This all has brought healthy foods and education into blighted areas.

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November 4, 2013