As students started back to school at Garfield Community Learning Center this fall, so did Akron Promise. Not to be confused with iPromise or Family Promise, Akron Promise offers scholarships and student support to Garfield CLC students. The long-term goal is to grow this program into other Akron high schools. For now, Akron Promise remains focused on helping Garfield students prepare for life after high school. A big effort also goes into post-high school support as well.
Garfield CLC just had the first of a 2025-26 Speaker Series. Designed by Akron Promise Intern, Noria Nuru, this series is designed to inspire and engage students by bringing a diverse range of guest speakers to the school. Each speaker, from industry professionals and thought leaders to local community activists, shares valuable insights into their fields, personal experiences, and the challenges they've overcome. This series not only exposes students to various career paths, but also encourages critical thinking, self-reflection, and growth. The first session, on October 24th, featured Ricky Allen from the Cleveland Clinic. Not only did he share his own story, he also encouraged students to give back to the community by volunteering. Allen has walked that walk for decades, most recently for the Friends of the Kenmore Library.
Akron Promise recently participated in the Garfield CLC Fall Festival. The event was so well attended, the trunk-or-treat portion ran out of candy. Families were each given a pumpkin to decorate. Decorations were found at several stations throughout the school, giving everyone a chance to explore the building, and learn about the Pathways offered at Garfield CLC. One of the highlights was the ribbon-cutting for a new greenhouse in the parking lot. This geodesic dome will be a place to learn about growing plants and food, and will provide a variety of learning experiences for many of the Pathways, including the Culinary and the Environmental programs. This hands-on education will be extremely useful as students go on to careers or college.
College students are a big part of the work of Akron Promise. Many Garfield graduates are first-generation college students, and have no example of how to go to college. The work begins before they start classes, as Akron Promise holds gatherings over the summer to help students navigate college enrollment, and find a work-school-life balance. This “soft-touch mentoring” continues as long as students need it. The scholarship currently offers $300 per student, per semester. This helps with books and other fees. This support is available to all Garfield graduates attending Stark State College, the University of Akron, or Kent State University. There are no other requirements, and the application is an easy online form. Current Garfield CLC students should apply, even if they are going elsewhere, or taking another path, in case the student changes their mind. Applications are currently open at akronpromise.org.
You may have heard of the Community Outreach arm of this organization, the Akron Promise City Race Series. It’s a series of 5k (and 7k) races all over Akron, highlighting different neighborhoods. This year’s series had 16 races. Those who participated in 7 races, by running, walking, sponsoring runners, or volunteering, get an extra special medal. All Akron Public School students get free registration to all races. Approximately 70 students signed up this year. The Kenmore Cowbell 7k, held on the first Saturday in June, is the main fundraiser for the Akron Promise scholarship fund. Each race in the series has its own charitable cause. All races ultimately benefit the youth of Akron. And that’s what Akron Promise is all about.