August 2026

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

Purchase your golf or lunch ticket by Sept. 9th

Join Us on the Fairway for a Day of Fun & Driving Change!

We're excited to welcome everyone to the course for a memorable day filled with golf, laughter, friendly competition, and community spirit.

Every swing helps make a difference, with all proceeds benefiting the Early Childhood Resource Center and our work supporting children, families, and educators throughout your community.

Help us "drive" change at this year's annual fundraiser while

enjoying a great day on the green!

Whether you're gathering a foursome for 18 holes or joining us for lunch, there's a place for everyone. Following the round of golf will be lunch including a brief program, silent auction, raffle drawings, and the opportunity to celebrate the impact we're making together.

*Event attendance not required to participate in raffles.

**Note, some restrictions and fees may apply; Review all terms before entering.

Turning Determination Into Opportunity: 
Annastaca's Journey to Her Own Child Care Business

For more than a year, Annastaca worked toward a dream: building a family child care business from her home and creating a nurturing environment for young children and their families.

Like many aspiring child care providers, her path was not always straightforward. A series of setbacks made it difficult to consistently devote the time and energy needed to complete the licensing process. Despite those challenges, Annastaca remained committed to her goal.

Realizing that she could use some guidance, Annastaca reconnected with the Early Childhood Resource Center and was ready to move forward.

Partnerships that SPARK a Strong Start for Children

We are grateful for a $150,000 grant from GAR Foundation to support SPARK services for Akron families and a $25,000 grant from Barberton Community Foundation to help expand kindergarten readiness opportunities for Barberton families. These grants reflect a shared commitment to ensuring young children enter school ready to learn and thrive.

These grants demonstrate how community partners can work together to expand opportunities for children and families. No single organization can address the complex needs of children and families alone. Meaningful progress happens when foundations, nonprofits, schools, businesses, government agencies, and community leaders work together to invest in the future of young children.

Thank you, GAR Foundation and Barberton Community Foundation, for the trust you have shown in our work. Your support reflects a shared commitment to helping children enter school ready to learn, supporting families during the critical early years, and strengthening the communities we all call home. 

This summer, the Early Childhood Resource Center partnered with community organizations across Stark County to create four family events that brought learning, laughter, and connection to local children and caregivers. Together, we welcomed almost 150 adults and children for a series of activities designed to encourage reading, exploration, creativity, safety, and community engagement.

While each event offered its own unique experience, all four shared a common goal: bringing families together and strengthening connections throughout the community.

These events demonstrated what is possible when organizations work together in support of children and families. We are grateful to our partners at Stark Library, Stark Parks, the Canton Fire Department, the Canton Police Department, and all the individuals who helped make the events possible.

Special thanks to the Stark Community Foundation SummerTime Kids Initiative, whose generous funding made all four events possible. Their investment helped create meaningful experiences for local families and strengthened the sense of community that continues long after summer ends.

Follow Us on Social Media

The Early Childhood Resource Center maintains an active social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. If you use one or more of those platforms, we encourage you to like and share our posts to help us grow our network and share the important work we are doing with as many people as possible.

FEATURED SUPPORTER

Their focus:

• Skill building: Children develop a strong foundation for lifelong learning and opportunity when they build physical, social, emotional, and academic skills early in life. Through 22 skill-focused programs, United Way of Greater Stark County works with community partners to support more than 5,300 children and family members in building a stronger foundation.
• Relationship building: Children thrive when they are connected to caring adults and meaningful experiences that nurture trust and belonging - at home, school, or in the community. Through 14 relationship-focused programs, United Way of Greater Stark County works with community partners to help over 2,620 children and family members in building stronger, healthier connections.
• Household stability: Families are stronger when they have access to basic resources, which reduces stress and prevents long-term harm. Through 27 household stability-focused programs, United Way of Greater Stark County works with community partners to support more than 47,500 individuals in improving financial security and well-being.

All of this so families in the greater Stark and Carroll county communities can thrive and help their children realize their dreams ... what they want to be when they grow up!

Learn more at uwstark.org.

A Child Care Resource and Referral Agency

proudly serving Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, and Trumbull counties.

Visit our website ecresourcecenter.org or call 330-491-3272