FACING THE UNKNOWN
PREPARING FOR THE UNTHINKABLE

During a year when many nonprofits and businesses struggled to survive, and the adverse effects of COVID-19 DISPROPORTIONATELY affected low to moderate-income communities like ours, we are deeply grateful for the efforts of our staff , board members, and the outpouring of community support that helped EANDC face the unknown and prepare for the unthinkable. 

The dedicated EANDC staff is what makes our work possible, so our most important goal for 2020 was to ensure their safety and security in spite of the challenges the pandemic has caused. In return, our employees worked tirelessly and creatively to support each other and our tenants. We are are proud to report that EANDC survived the unthinkable in 2020 and our staff team is stronger. 

WE BECAME STRONGER WITH YOUR SUPPORT

Dear Community Partners and Friends,

We are humbled to look back over the past year and recognize all of the ways that our staff and community partners came together, facing the unknown and preparing for the unthinkable. Thank you for placing your trust in us, going above and beyond to ensure that our staffing and tenant services continued uninterrupted during COVID-19 and a year of economic uncertainty. 

In March 2020, when Governor Mike DeWine implemented statewide shutdowns, our first priority was to keep our employees safe and secure in their jobs. “If you keep working, I will always figure out how to get you paid,” was the mantra, when we had no idea what we were facing. With a focus on the future, our executive leadership team set out to calculate whjat we needed to survive.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of our staff and the generous support of community partners, including Summit and Stark County resources, the United Way, PPP loans, and grant funding — we survived the unknown. Even during months when 46% of our tenants couldn’t pay rent, we were able to support and connect families with legal aid and rental assistance resources.

When illness or exposure to illness forced office shutdowns, our staff went above and beyond working outside of their roles to ensure the office was safe for everyone’s return and that building maintenance continued during the closures. 

Through all of these collective efforts, EANDC is well positioned to navigate the future unknown challenges of COVID-19 and continued economic uncertainty. Thank you, again, to the community partners below, who made this possible. 

CHERYL STEPHENS | PRESIDENT & CEO

DAVID BUCHANAN | CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Center for Homeownership

Community Partners in Possibility

THANK YOU

AKRON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

CAPITAL ONE

CF BANK

COLLABORATIVE OF OHIO