Here's what we found for you

If you are going through a housing crisis or find yourself homeless, emergency shelter is available throughout Stark County. Various organizations offer overnight sleeping accommodations and temporary shelter.

Contact a location below or call the Stark County Homeless Hotline at (330) 452-4363.

While Stark County has made significant progress in addressing and preventing child exploitation, there are still children working in hazardous conditions, illegally and for low or no wages. Find resources to report child labor and support services for affected children.

Bullying is the act of persistent, unwanted, repeated intimidation and harassment. It can take place in school, in social situations and even online. No matter the setting, bullying is detrimental to everyone involved. Beyond the physical harm, bullying causes emotional scars that are deep, painful and difficult to overcome. Find resources for bullying and learn who to reach out to if you or someone you know is being bullied in Stark County.

Seeing or experiencing domestic violence can negatively affect youth well into adulthood. In fact, young adults who have been exposed to abuse in the home are more likely to repeat the cycle of violence. By accessing support and services that teach healthy relationship skills, Stark Help Central believes that we can empower young people in our community to stand up for integrity, nonviolence and respect.

Are you ready to seek treatment for a mental health condition? We know there are many reasons why reaching out for support might not be the easiest choice. But we also know it’s one of the best decisions you can make for your emotional wellness. And now there are alternatives to meeting with a counselor in person! Telehealth is now available for virtual mental health support.

If you or someone you know is struggling with feelings of sadness or hopelessness,

Bullying among adolescents can take many forms. As children get older, how they bully becomes more sophisticated and harder to identify. In addition to taunting, threats or physical attacks, the rise of social media has introduced another category of bullying – cyberbullying. As teens have more and more access to social media, gaming and the internet, bullies use these platforms to harass and humiliate others. Find programs and resources in Stark County to help support young people who are affected by bullying.

If you or someone you know has suffered from or witnessed violence in the home, it is important to remember that you are not in this alone. There are numerous resources throughout Stark County that are committed to providing survivors of domestic violence with confidential support, treatment, education and empowerment.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, it is important to seek help immediately. No matter if you’re struggling with depression, substance use, relationship problems or family turmoil, free and confidential support is available. You are not alone and talking to someone could help save a life.

If you or someone you know is in need of clothing assistance in Stark County, there is a network of community resources you can turn to for support. Whether you need baby, back-to-school, professional or everyday clothing, clothing resources are available here at home.

Looking for help, but not sure where to turn? At Stark Help Central, we have a vision for the future of Stark County where every child, parent, friend and neighbor has the resources to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential. Find local organizations dedicated to lifting up local families in times of need.

Although they may not understand or be able to express what’s happened, infants can still be deeply affected by abuse and neglect. This early trauma can hinder a child’s physical, mental and emotional development, compromising their sense of safety and security. To help combat the negative impacts of early childhood abuse, it is important that babies and small children get the early intervention and support they need. Find local child protective services dedicated to survivors of abuse and neglect.

Unfortunately, more than two-thirds of children have been exposed to domestic violence by the age of 17. Witnessing violence can have long-term impacts on these adolescents, putting them at higher risk for substance use, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior and even further domestic violence. Find resources to help prevent violence in the home and support young people experiencing domestic violence in Stark County.

To raise awareness and help save the lives of those thinking about suicide, it is important to understand and recognize the warning signs. Suicide is preventable, and we all play an important role. Learn how to identify the signs, start a dialogue and take action.

Human trafficking is not just an adult problem. It can happen to anyone, and young people are often the most vulnerable. If you are concerned a child you know may be at risk, it is important to report your concerns right away. Children are affected all over the world and right here in Stark County. Learn what you can do to help put an end to human trafficking in our community.

Young people with limited support structures, education and opportunities for advancement can fall victim to traffickers that promise a way out, only to end up in far worse situations. Victims could be your family, friends or neighbors, so it is important to understand the problem. Learn how to spot the signs of human trafficking, report your suspicions and help victims find a path to safety.

Is your family in need of financial support? Everyone faces difficult times at one point or another. Fortunately, there are many local organizations in Stark County committed to lifting up community members in times of hardship. If you need cash, food or medical assistance, reach out for help today.

Any intentional action that causes significant harm to a child is considered abuse. It can come in the form of physical, sexual or emotional damage, and is very rarely an isolated incident. Because child abuse is frequently carried out by a close loved one, it is essential that advocates in a child’s life pay attention and report suspicions. Find local resources dedicated to preventing and treating childhood abuse and neglect.

According to RAINN, every 98 seconds, someone experiences sexual assault. This could include actions such as harassment, rape or sexual violence. For a young person who has suffered sexual abuse, the effects can be long lasting, leading to physical, emotional and psychological harm. Find rape crisis services and sexual abuse support groups available in Stark County.

Human trafficking is a growing concern throughout Stark County, with Ohio ranking as one of the top states for the hidden crime. If you notice the signs and suspect a human rights violation, report it right away.

Today, teens have rates of abuse and neglect that are as high as or higher than those of young children. To make matters worse, this abuse often comes from the hands of family members – the very people responsible for keeping them safe. Teenagers are often more vulnerable than they let on, masking the internal turmoil they’re experiencing. Find local programs helping to support these young people on their path toward understanding and recovery.

Learn what you can do to support your friends, family and classmates who are hurting. Suicide is a leading cause of death for adolescents ages 10 to 24 and an unfortunate reality in our community. Together, we can help prevent teen suicide.

Children are susceptible to human trafficking because they are young, vulnerable and easily manipulated. Often, they are victimized by the very people who are responsible for their care. Runaways and children from marginalized populations are especially at risk for child labor, sexual exploitation and other forms of human trafficking. Learn how to report suspicions and support young victims in Stark County.

Unfortunately, childhood rape is not a rare occurrence and is often carried out by a trusted loved one. This can cause deep shame and emotional turmoil, preventing a child from speaking out against the abuse. Find local resources where you can report suspicions of childhood rape and find support resources for kids in crisis.

Teens are vulnerable to trafficking regardless of socio-economic status, gender, race, education or citizenship. There is a generally a feeling that human trafficking is a crime affecting far-off places, but unfortunately, human trafficking incidents happen right here in Stark County. Because of their emotional immaturity and sense of invincibility, young teens are especially at risk. Learn how to prevent, report and support teenagers affected by human trafficking.

When your family faces a job loss, medical issue or another significant financial setback, you might be shocked, confused and unsure where to turn. Fortunately, there are resources for young people and families who need emergency financial assistance in Stark County.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text one of the hotlines below. Counselors and intake specialists are available to offer free, confidential support whenever you need it.

For Stark County families to grow stronger and healthier, it is important that everyone has the support they need to maintain their emotional well-being. There are hundreds of mental health, substance use and trauma recovery resources available here in Stark County, including individual, family and faith-based services.

In 2023, 2-1-1, Stark County’s helpline, transitioned to StarkHelpCentral.com. 

Closing the Stark County information system and online database—that was run by United Way of Greater Stark County—and moving resources to StarkHelpCentral.com helps streamline the process for community members looking for resources and information.  

StarkHelpCentral.com can help you find community resources available to you and your family. The searchable community resource website is supported by Stark County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery (StarkMHAR),

For some families struggling with poverty and hunger, Thanksgiving can be a difficult holiday.  If you are dealing with food insecurity, need help with the expense of purchasing the needed ingredients for a special meal or are struggling with high medical bills, low wages, housing needs or other issues, we have gathered some valuable resources below.

Stark Help Central.com wants to help ensure everyone can enjoy the holiday, especially children.

Ongoing assistance can be found via food pantries,

Stark County’s goal is always to keep all students safe – physically, socially and emotionally. Inside and outside of the classroom, many resources are in place to support our local students. From guidance counselors and mental health specialists to school resource officers and ongoing building improvements, Stark County has taken many steps to improve the safety at our local schools.

If you or someone you know has a concern about your safety while in school,

The UK organization LifeSIGNS started dedicating March 1st as Self Injury Awareness Day in 2002. Now, 20 years later, it is a national awareness day for many countries, including the U.S. Self-injury goes by other names, including self-harm and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), and encompasses a large range of actions that one takes to cope with extreme emotion, release tension from these emotions, or take back a perceived loss of control. While teens tend to be the most likely to self-injure,

As the opioid crisis in Northeast Ohio continued to grow, the Stark County Opiate & Addiction Task Force was created in 2011 to help educate the community and provide necessary resources on opioids. In 2014, Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided With Naloxone) was created by the Ohio Health Department to bring together educational and naloxone distribution programs during the opioid epidemic. In order to prevent opioid overdose and to further harm reduction strategies, these organizations provide free overdose kits for anyone in Ohio who wants one.

Who We Are

In 2015, The Legacy Project of Stark was founded by Eugene Lingenhoel. As he was delivering backpacks & school supplies at Lehman Middle School in Canton City, the principal, Jeanne McNeal, who is now the principal at Oakwood Middle School in Plain Local, asked Eugene if he would be willing to meet with some of her students.  Jeanne saw a need for her students to have a positive role model in their life and saw an opportunity to provide that for them.

This year, we’ve faced a pandemic unlike anything in our lifetimes. As we get closer to a vaccine for coronavirus, many people in Stark County are still feeling the stressful effects. Fortunately, the stress response is normal during a crisis.

Are you looking for ways to manage feelings of stress and anxiety? Here are some common questions we have received related to mental health, coping with COVID-19 in the community,