Akron Community Foundation Grant Benefits Local At-Risk Youth

AKRON, Ohio – July 10, 2008 – Updates at The Village Network (TVN)-Akron are complete according to Chuck Baldwin, program director at the Akron TVN residential facility, and it’s making a world of difference for more than 100 Akron youth participating in organization’s residential treatment and educational programs.                                                                                                              
The needed building updates were done with the help of a $10,000 Akron Community Foundation grant awarded to TVN in November 2007. The grant money helped purchase carpeting and furniture for the lobby, hallways and bedrooms, a commercial microwave and a defibrillator.
Creating a homelike atmosphere instead of an institutional setting contributes to more effective treatment services and programs according to Baldwin.                                                                 
“A secure, comfortable, non-institutional setting helps the youth embrace the treatment and educational programs we offer,” said Baldwin. “They are less fearful and the warm and inviting atmosphere lessens the possibility of triggering unpleasant memories from the past. The change in environment further supports The Village Network’s therapeutic approach to Trauma-Informed care.” 
The Akron facility is part of The Village Network, headquartered in Wooster, Ohio, with 11 network locations across the state. TVN is a non-profit organization specializing in the treatment and care of troubled youth through residential treatment, day treatment, treatment foster care and alternative school programs. Baldwin’s team works with troubled, traumatized and at-risk youth in the Akron area.                                                                                                                                      
Akron Community Foundation is a $138.6 million endowment with a growing family of more than 320 funds. In 1955, a $1 million bequest from the estate of Edwin Shaw established the foundation, which works to improve the quality of life in greater Akron. To date, the foundation and its funds have awarded nearly $72 million in grants to qualified nonprofit organizations.                                
“The Village programs help youth who need mental health services to properly function and deal with the situations that have disrupted their lives,” said Baldwin. “Home is an important part of quality life skills education. We stress the importance of home and respect for your home and how you treat it. The recent building improvements are instrumental to our overall program.”
                                                                                                                                               For more information on The Village Network and ways you can help in your community visit www.thevillagenetwork.org.