Early Childhood Resource Center

Early Childhood Resource Center We have two satellite offices located in Akron and Boardman.

The Early Childhood Resource Center is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System and primarily provides resources to families, children, and educators in the following Ohio counties: Stark, Summit, Medina, Portage, Trumbull, and Mahoning. The mission of the Early Childhood Resource Center is to promote the healthy development of young children by strengthening families, improving the qual

ity of early learning experiences, increasing school and community readiness, and informing public policy. The Early Childhood Resource Center primarily provides resources to families in the following Ohio counties: Stark, Summit, Medina, Portage, Trumbull, and Mahoning. The Center’s primary location, which houses our Inspiration Station, Production Lab, children’s library, outdoor playscape, and other spaces open to the public, is located in Canton. Vision: The Early Childhood Resource Center is a leader, recognized for working together with community partners to ensure:
• Parents have the knowledge and resources to support their children’s healthy development;
• Children have access to high-quality early learning experiences staffed by educated professionals;
• Children begin school ready and eager to learn;
• Schools are ready to receive, educate, engage, and involve all children and families; and
• Communities and policymakers understand and actively support the development of young children.

Finding child care is still hard for many families, but Ohio is starting to move in the right direction.Roughly one-thir...
06/06/2026

Finding child care is still hard for many families, but Ohio is starting to move in the right direction.

Roughly one-third of young children in Ohio live in areas with limited access to care, which is a lower rate than nearby states like Indiana and Michigan. While that is a reminder that progress is happening, families still need more options and support close to home.

If you or someone you know is looking for high-quality child care, we can help you find a solution that meets your family’s needs. Call 1.877.691.8521.

Source: Cleveland.com analysis of regional child care data

Parent and Youth Ambassadors are here to make getting help simple. They offer one-on-one, in-person support to answer yo...
06/06/2026

Parent and Youth Ambassadors are here to make getting help simple. They offer one-on-one, in-person support to answer your questions, connect you to resources, and help you navigate services with confidence.

From everyday needs to bigger challenges, PYAs help families find answers, access supports, and move forward.

Serving families in Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, and Trumbull counties.

Contact ECRC today to get started!

Ohio Department of Children and Youth

🎙 Our own Maria Spencer joined the Good Community Podcast this week as a panelist for a conversation on child care suppo...
06/05/2026

🎙 Our own Maria Spencer joined the Good Community Podcast this week as a panelist for a conversation on child care support in our community.

Along with host Carol Holmes-Chambers, Maria, Aaron Bohr of Barrel of Monkeys Childcare and Preschool, and Deirdre Goliday of the Mentoring Moms Parents Program shared insights on resources, challenges, and solutions impacting families across our region.

🎧Tune in for this meaningful discussion on supporting children and strengthening families at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2433209/episodes/19282954

Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries, Inc.

Congratulations to the Divine 39 Leadership Stark County graduates! We are proud to celebrate this incredible milestone,...
06/05/2026

Congratulations to the Divine 39 Leadership Stark County graduates! We are proud to celebrate this incredible milestone, and a very special congratulations to Taylor Weaver, our Director of Communications and Fund Development, on being part of such an inspiring class.

We also extend our heartfelt congratulations to PJ Chavez, Director of Mission and Ministry at Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital. Applauding you both!

Your leadership, dedication, and commitment to the community truly inspires us all!

Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

Today is World Donut Day, which was originally established in 1938 by The Salvation Army in Chicago to honor the "Donut ...
06/05/2026

Today is World Donut Day, which was originally established in 1938 by The Salvation Army in Chicago to honor the "Donut Lassies," the brave women who served donuts and provided support to soldiers on the front lines during World War I.

Now that we have you thinking about donuts, what is your favorite? (We’re partial to a nice chocolate crème stick.)

You’re not alone in this.Join us for our next To the Table event on June 25 as we explore Co-Parenting Under One Roof. T...
06/04/2026

You’re not alone in this.

Join us for our next To the Table event on June 25 as we explore Co-Parenting Under One Roof. This community conversation will look at the realities of co-parenting while still together or married, including strategies for communication, shared responsibilities, conflict navigation, and maintaining healthy family dynamics.

Register at tinyurl.com/akrontothetable

The Shifting the Childcare Industry initiative focuses on helping child care workers build business skills, strengthen l...
06/04/2026

The Shifting the Childcare Industry initiative focuses on helping child care workers build business skills, strengthen long term sustainability, and reduce isolation.

As a community partner in Akron, the Early Childhood Resource Center saw a need and took action. Family child care providers shared that they often felt unseen and lacked the tools to sustain and grow their businesses. In response, we helped bring together a cohort of 15 women-owned family child care programs to change that reality.

Through leadership sessions, one-on-one coaching, and ongoing support, these providers built business knowledge, formed meaningful connections, and gained confidence in their voices. They moved from working in isolation to building a strong network rooted in collaboration, not competition.

That momentum is real. Providers are advocating for themselves, engaging with local leaders, and helping shape the future of child care in Akron. When we invest in the people who care for children, whole communities benefit.

Learn more at https://shiftworkforward.org/breaking-the-triple-bind/

Shift Work Forward Akron Urban League Heart to Heart Leadership GAR Foundation Fund For Our Economic Future

This month’s Elevate & Create event moved to the Canton Museum of Art for a fun morning of exploring the art galleries a...
06/04/2026

This month’s Elevate & Create event moved to the Canton Museum of Art for a fun morning of exploring the art galleries and very active playtime in the museum’s courtyard.

Thank you to Miss Amanda and the families who came out today to learn about how artists turn everyday objects into works of art and have some social time with the children.

The next Elevate & Create takes place on July 2 at 10 a.m. at the museum. Register at www.tinyurl.com/JulyArtSession.

Thank you to The Women’s Fund endowment of the Stark Community Foundation for supporting this creative early learning experience for families.

The Impact Edition is the Early Childhood Resource Center’s monthly e-newsletter, sharing stories that highlight the imp...
06/04/2026

The Impact Edition is the Early Childhood Resource Center’s monthly e-newsletter, sharing stories that highlight the impact our work has across Stark, Summit, Portage, Medina, Mahoning, and Trumbull counties.

Each issue illustrates how coaching, education, and family support translate into meaningful outcomes for young children and those who care for them.

👉Miss an issue? Check out our archive of past newsletters here: https://tinyurl.com/ImpactEditionArchive

We were saddened by the news that Sr. Mary Jaocb Yelcho of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine was called home to et...
06/04/2026

We were saddened by the news that Sr. Mary Jaocb Yelcho of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine was called home to eternal rest on May 28, 2026. She served at Providence Hospital in Columbia, S.C., as its president/executive director from 1967 until 1991, leading with steadfast courage, dedication to her staff, and a profound commitment to the community. Her friendship, humor, and kind soul will be deeply missed.

Her funeral service will be livestreamed at 11 a.m. (EST) on Friday, June 5. Viewers may watch at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ7IFqL1OEU

Her full obituary is available from McGorray-Hanna Funeral Home: https://tinyurl.com/4xn3vn76

Address

1718 Cleveland Avenue NW
Canton, OH
44703

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 7pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 7pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+18776918521

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