ACCESS, Inc.

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Akron, OH
ACCESS, Inc.

Emergency Shelter for Women & Children in Summit County, OH. Sheltering homeless women and children in Summit County since 1984.

09/01/2026

Yesterday, we spent $500 at Ross on new clothes for the young women and children staying at our shelter, all thanks to Ross Dress for Less for providing this generous gift in the form of gift cards.

Because of their generosity, our residents will receive new clothing that fits their needs and restores dignity. Thank you, Ross for helping our residents feel confident, cared for, and supported. We’re so grateful for your investment in the women and children we serve! 💜

08/24/2026

Meet Carolyn—a mother, grandmother, and bright woman who proves that anyone can experience homelessness, but also overcome it.

Carolyn entered ACCESS in 2026 after experiencing housing safety issues that took a toll on her physical and mental health. After her daughter’s passing in 2021, Carolyn lost her brothers.

“I was so grief-stricken and overwhelmed, I didn’t want to move homes,” she said. “I used to never ask for help.”

Carolyn decided to change that when she called 2-1-1 and entered ACCESS with her granddaughter.

“I have been overwhelmed with love from the staff and other ladies,” Carolyn said. She also shared that her granddaughter, who is in middle school, has maintained a 4.0 GPA while staying at ACCESS and even met her best friend at the shelter.

In her free time, Carolyn enjoys volunteering and giving back to the community. Since entering ACCESS, she has actively participated in workshops and classes, which she says have taught her valuable skills and useful information. “The staff here has always let me know that ACCESS is home right now,” she said.

Carolyn also expressed deep appreciation for her case manager, who helped her secure permanent housing. “I am so grateful. ACCESS is truly… access.”

As she looks ahead to this next chapter, Carolyn plans to stay involved with ACCESS by returning as a volunteer and giving back to the community that supported her during a difficult time. Your donation can help make that same support possible for another family by clicking the link below. 💜

https://www.access-shelter.org/donate

08/21/2026

Right now, 24 children are staying at our shelter and getting ready to go back to school next week.

For these children, a new school year means more than fresh pencils and backpacks. It means having the stability and support they need to focus on school—even while their families are navigating homelessness. For mothers, this means they have more time to focus on building a better future.

We’re working to remove the small barriers that can stand in the way of a child’s success, helping families afford the things they need to keep their children learning–housing application fees, bus passes, prescription copays, and much more overlooked, but critical costs.

Help us make sure homelessness never puts a limit on what they can achieve. Just $25 can feed a child three meals a day at our shelter for an entire month. Please consider making a gift to our back-to-school campaign by clicking the link below. 💜

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/2026learningwithoutlimits/

08/19/2026

💜 REMINDER: Just 10 seconds of your time can help our shelter secure up to $10,000! 💜

Over 40 nonprofits are in the running, and we’re honored to be part of the Solomon Organization’s Cleveland Give A Chance Charitable Giveaway.

There’s no email sign-up and no personal information required. Vote once per day now through Monday, August 31st at the link: https://poll-maker.com/poll5828154xf8bA4F66-169

Don’t forget to vote again tomorrow to better our chances of serving more women and children in our community!

08/17/2026

After taking care of the elderly for 15 years, ACCESS resident Elnora found herself facing homelessness at the age of 63. Watch her share her story here: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTDRk9S3x/

When rent rises faster than one’s income, there is less room for an unexpected expense—and a much shorter distance between housing stability and homelessness.

Throughout her time at ACCESS, Elnora has remained determined to find a place of her own. She has worked hard, stayed hopeful, and never stopped looking ahead to the day she could once again call somewhere home.

Now, as Elnora eagerly waits to move into her new home, she looks forward to putting this chapter behind her and simply living her life to the fullest. 💜

08/13/2026

A big thank you to the students and professors of Akron Law Cares for spending time at ACCESS today! 💜

We’re so grateful for your hard work and willingness to give back to our community. Your team helped with landscaping and organizing donations, making a real difference for our staff and helping make our shelter feel a little more like home for our residents.

Thank you for choosing ACCESS as part of your service day! To The University of Akron School of Law: We appreciate your students and professors for putting their time and energy toward making a stronger community.

08/12/2026

We recently received an incredibly generous in-kind donation from our Amazon Wishlist filled with children’s clothing, towels, body wash, shampoo and conditioner, pillows, and more!

We’re unable to see who sent this thoughtful donation, so if this was you, please reach out so we can properly thank you for supporting the women and children we serve. Your support is deeply appreciated by the ACCESS staff and residents!

If you want to help fill a need at our shelter, you can shop directly from our Amazon Wishlist and have items sent straight to ACCESS. If you’d like to donate, visit our wishlist here: https://shorturl.at/HuMJU

Every item, big or small, helps make our shelter feel a little more like home. 💜

08/11/2026

Got 10 seconds? You can help ACCESS secure up to $10,000! 💜

We’re honored to be part of the Solomon Organization’s Cleveland Give A Chance Charitable Giveaway, and we need YOUR help! Vote for ACCESS once a day through August 31! There’s no email sign-up and no personal information required. Every vote brings us one step closer to funding that can help more women and children in our community.

Cast your vote here: https://poll-maker.com/poll5828154xf8bA4F66-169

Come back tomorrow to vote again!

08/06/2026

We’re so proud of former resident, Mashona, and all that she’s quickly accomplished. Watch her share her story here: https://shorturl.at/xpaC8 💜

When Mashona arrived at ACCESS with her 10-year-old son, she was determined to build a better future. With the support of her on-site case manager, she secured permanent housing in less than a month. Today, Mashona has found peace in her new home and hopes her story encourages others facing difficult circumstances.

She offers this encouragement to those rebuilding their lives: “Stay positive. I didn’t know what this experience would be like, but I didn’t let it consume me. Stay focused on your goals, because better things will come.”

Address

230 W Market Street
Akron, OH
44303

Telephone

+13303760995

Website

http://www.access-shelter.org/

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