Learn About Limitless Ambition

by Kate Deangelis | Aug 16, 2024 | Grants

Learning About Limitless Ambition

New Grant Partner, Limitless Ambition, is a nonprofit helping girls in Barberton City Schools in grades 6, 8, and 9. BCF funded their program for the first time this year. We interviewed the founder and director, Alicia Robinson, to learn more about how the organization got its start, and what they do for our students.

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Barberton Community Foundation funded Limitless Ambition in its Education and Workforce & Economic Development grant cycle earlier this year. They are a first-time grant partner, receiving $20,000 to expand their program “Purposely Chosen Teen” to girls in 6th, 8th and 9th grades at Barberton Middle School and High School.

We interviewed Executive Director and Founder, Alicia Robinson, to learn more about her organization, the program, why she started it, and how she’d like to grow.

Alicia Robinson

A seed was planted for Limitless Ambition early on. Robinson shared that she grew up in a small town that saw its share of gun and drug violence. Growing up, she personally experienced a lot of the same challenges she addresses in her program – challenges like poor body image, a struggle with self-acceptance, and understanding what healthy friendships and relationships looked like. “I am the youngest, with two older brothers. I always wanted an older sister,” she said. “I wish there had been a program like Limitless Ambition for me when I was young.”

Despite these struggles, she knew she wanted to go to college. “I am a first-generation college student,” Robinson said. “I had to learn a lot on my own, but I also want to credit Upward Bound, which I participated in from 8^th grade through graduation, as well as the first-generation student support programs at Kent State University with helping to track me toward success.”

After her freshman year at KSU, tragedy struck. “My dad passed away suddenly due to a car accident when I was 19,” she said. “I thought about dropping out and going home to help my mom. But I had a good mentor that said, ‘Is that really the best choice for your future?’ I chose to stay in school, and it fueled me.”

“I tell people, pain plus passion equals purpose. And that is true of how I look at my motivation to create Limitless Ambition.”

Robinson wanted a program that would help girls navigate their lives – by teaching them how to build the network of aunties, advisors, girlfriends and mentors that had given her such good advice and encouragement.

She incorporated Limitless Ambition in October 2013, finalized her 501c3 status in 2015, and launched the first teen programming in 2016.

The programming, Purposely Chosen Teen, is a 10-week curriculum for girls focused on social-emotional learning. Each session has its own topic, such as self-care, sisterhood, confidence, and building compassion. Girls think through concepts like supporting fellow classmates (even if they aren’t best friends), and empathy building. Topics also include hygiene, passion discovery, and goal setting. Each session lasts about an hour, and then the girls put into practice what they’ve learned by doing an activity such as creating empowerment bracelets, writing affirmation letters, or painting to help de-stress.

The ‘23-‘24 school year was Limitless Ambition’s first year in Barberton City Schools. Girls reported learning more about how to build healthy relationships. In a survey, one student said ‘It helped me learn I don’t need to always get mad at every single thing. It helped me realize my worth and how to love myself.’

In Barberton, the Purposely Chosen Teen program is funded for girls in 6^th, 8^th and 9^th grades, which is viewed as a crucial transition time for girls. “I’d like to extend a big thank you to Barberton Community Foundation for supporting Limitless Ambition and investing in programming for teen girls,” she said. “We are excited to begin this next school year and to empower the next generation of young women leaders.”

Robinson wants to continue expanding programming in Barberton City School District, and regionally, as well. “I would love for us to have a flagship location in Northeast Ohio and grow into a full-time director and staff.” She would like to have Purposely Chosen Teen in all the districts in Northeast Ohio, and eventually sell the curriculum for broader implementation.

Learn more about the Purposely Chosen Teen program and Limitless Ambition by visiting their website at https://www.limitlessambition.org/.

Foundation Announces 2023 Health and Wellness Grants

by Kate Deangelis | Aug 1, 2023 | Grants

Barberton Community Foundation’s Board of Directors met on July 20, for their regular meeting. The board approved 14 grants to area nonprofits focusing on health and wellness initiatives for Barberton. Total funding for this cycle is $139,500.

Grants:

1. Victim Assistance Program was awarded $25,000 to support their 2024 Barberton Advocacy Program. This program supports 300 Barberton residents who have been personally impacted by crime, violence and trauma, as well as 300 additional clients from surrounding communities who utilize the Barberton Municipal Court.

2. AxessPointe Community Health Centers received $25,000 to update equipment at the Barberton location on Robinson Ave and in the mobile unit. Equipment includes an EKG, vitals machine, scale and an otoscope. The mobile unit will receive portable equipment including an HbA1c test to measure blood sugar.

3. Habitat for Humanity of Summit County received $15,000 for their 2023 Barberton New Home Build project, which will be used to construct a home on Norman Street.

4. Embracing Futures received $10,000 for their Orthodontic Care Program, which provides braces for children with low-income families.

5. CareStar Community Services received $10,000 for Community-Based Wraparound Services to Barberton students and families. CareStar Community Health Workers provide home visits, services and resources, including health screenings, as part of their wraparound program.

6. Humane Society of Summit County was awarded $10,000 to support the MABEL Mobile Veterinary Clinic visits to Barberton. The MABEL bus provides veterinary services such as spay and neuter for dogs and cats, as well as vaccines. Funding allows low-income Barberton residents to utilize the clinic for free. Funding is expected to cover spay/neuter services for 172 cats and dogs and vaccines for 80 cats and dogs.

7. Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank received $7,500 the Barberton Direct Distribution program provides food and groceries monthly at Barberton’s Salvation Army on Wooster Rd. The program’s goal is to serve 85-100 families each month and distributing an average of 18,000 lbs. of food.

8. Greenleaf Family Center was awarded $7,000 for their Adolescent Suicide Prevention Program (ASPP) which will provide suicide prevention programming for Barberton Students from July 2023 to June 2024. The programming is for approximately 1800 Barberton Middle and High School students, along with training for school staff.

9. Ben Curtis Family Foundation was awarded $6,500 to support their Birdie Bag Program. Each bag contains six meals, four snacks and toiletries for students on long weekends.

10. Stewarts Caring Place received $5,000 for cancer wellness and support services. Stewart’s Caring Place provides wigs, fittings and supplies, family and legal counseling, and assists with advocacy.

11. Family and Community Services received $5,000 to support Mobile Meals which provides hot and frozen meals and supplements to elderly, disabled or low-income residents.

12. Rape Crisis Center received $5,000 to support 150 Barberton residents in 2023 with outreach and education, support groups, crisis intervention, advocacy, therapy and other services.

13. CASA Board Volunteer Association received $5,000 for Barberton volunteer recruitment. CASA, or court appointed special advocates, are trained community volunteers appointed by a juvenile court judge to speak for a child’s best interest.

14. United Way of Summit and Medina received $3,500 to support 2-1-1 Information and Referral Services. 2-1-1 is a free, 24/7 helpline and database for health and social services available in Summit County. The helpline serves about 2,500 Barberton residents each year.