Here's what we found for you
- Employment resourcesWhether you are a young person looking for a part-time job, a parent who is out of work or an individual with disabilities planning for independence, resources are available to help you navigate the job search.
- Employment services: young adults
Securing meaningful employment is key to achieving independence and financial freedom. For young adults starting out in Stark County, it can be helpful to get assistance from community employment programs. Taking advantage of job-seeking classes, skills training and job placement services will help increase the likelihood of getting a good, stable job. Find local resources that help prepare young people for employment success.
- Re-entering the communityRe-entering the community after jail time is no easy task. After being released, young people often struggle to find a place in society and require critical services and supports. They may benefit from programs to help rebuild family relationships, reintegrate into school and access public benefits, housing and employment.
- Foster Children: Aging Out Resources
Children who are part of the foster care system in Stark County will eventually reach the age of 18 and age out of the program. Just like anyone else, these young adults may have medical and mental health care needs. But unlike other young people, once they age out of foster care, they no longer have the same financial and emotional backing at home.
Unfortunately, these young people rarely receive the emotional and behavioral health services they need because of a lack of insurance and family support.
- Early Childhood (Ages 0 - 3)
- Childhood (Ages 4 - 10)
- Youth & Teens (Ages 11 - 17)
- Foster & adoption: childhood
Many Stark County community members choose to expand their families through fostering and adoption. For children who need a stable home, the permanent care of adoption or the temporary safe haven of fostering can help. Even if you are not sure if fostering or adoption is the right path for you, find information to help you learn about the options available.
Most children who are eligible for adoption in Stark County are over the age of six and have experienced some level of trauma,
- LGBTQ+ mental healthBullying, fear of rejection and the chronic stress associated with having a seemingly stigmatized identity can put significant strain on an LGBTQ+ teen’s mental health. In fact, research shows that LGBTQ+ youth have much higher levels of suicidal ideation than their heterosexual peers.
- Youth & Teens (Ages 11 - 17)
- Becoming resilient is a daily practiceResiliency daily practices and tips to help you build a strong foundation of character. Face life’s challenges with confidence and resilience.
- Improve Family Dialogs with StarkMHAR Conversation Cards
Once your family is seated around the dinner table, the typical conversation starter is: “So, how was your day?”
And the typical answer? “Fine.”
Getting your child to say anything more can be a lot of work.
But what if you stopped thinking of the child’s attitude as the problem, and started with the question? What if there were some truly interesting questions you could ask your family? And what if they were excited to think about them and answer?
- Stories of Self-AdvocacyWatch these videos from Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities to find out how young people with disabilities are advocating for themselves.
- Importance of Safe Places and Caring Relationships for Our LGBTQ+ Young People
In honor of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month, let us take a moment to learn more about what we can do in our personal and professional lives to create safe spaces and caring relationships for our LGBTQ youth (and adults).
Far too many LGBTQ+ youth do not feel safe and accepted or feel a sense of pride in themselves. In fact, LGBTQ+ youth experience bullying, parental rejection, depression, and thoughts of suicide at significantly higher rates then their heterosexual peers.
- Mental Health Awareness Month Tips: 4 Ways to Participate
Mental Health Awareness Month is observed every May in the United States. It’s a time to recognize that our mental health is part of our overall health, fight stigmas surrounding mental health issues, learn about various issues and policies, and more. Whether or not you are personally dealing with a mental health issue, it is important to find ways to participate in Mental Health Awareness Month.
Here are four Mental Health Awareness Month tips so you can participate and support those around you.
- Removing Barriers to Owning a Small Business
StarkFresh serves the people of Stark County through a variety of ways, all in the name of their mission: “Tackling the causes of hunger by creating realistic pathways out of poverty.” Many in the county know StarkFresh for its grocery store located in downtown Canton on Cherry Ave. NE or its mobile grocery market that travels throughout the area; though the programs offered through StarkFresh go past the scope of bringing food to people in need.
- 3 Reasons Why Nature is Good for Your Mental Health
During the pandemic, everyone seemed to realize the importance of getting outside and enjoying the fresh air. Think about how much lighter you feel after taking your dog for a walk. Or how energized your mind is after a hike in the woods. Or even consider the boost you get from a warm, sunshine-filled day. It should be no secret how nature helps our mental health.
Let’s explore just a few of the ways nature and mental health are connected.
- The Importance of Getting an Opioid Overdose Kit
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.
- Mental Health Resources During the Coronavirus Pandemic
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,
OhioMeansJobs Stark County
Northeastern Ohio’s premier workforce development and training centers that connects job seekers with employers by providing numerous resources in a single location
Serving Stark County employers and job seekers with access to all community partner programs, education, training, counseling and employment opportunities.
Canton, OH 44709
Re-Entry Court
Providing transitional support for felony offenders as they return to society, including:
- Help with housing
- Employment services
- Anger management programs
- Sex offender treatment
Offer a yearlong program with four phases that begins during sentencing and continues throughout the transfer to a correctional facility, during incarceration and as the individual transitions back into the community.
Suite 105
Canton, OH 44702
Meta-Morphosis
A non-profit helping high risk youth and those coming out of criminal justice system.
North Canton, OH 44720
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities
Helping to support Ohioans with disabilities as they achieve quality employment and independence:
- Customized employment plans
- Education
- Social Security disability determination
Canton, OH 44709
Vantage Aging
For nearly 50 years, VANTAGE Aging has promoted successful aging by providing programs to support the needs of older adults wishing to age in place and live independently with dignity.
Meals on Wheels and Home Wellness- Health and wellness are important to the success of aging in place, and our Home Wellness Solutions and Meals on Wheels programs build on that concept by helping people remain at home by providing home-delivered meals, wellness checks,
Massillon, OH 44646
Veteran’s Service Commission of Stark County
Provides VA Benefits Assistance, Financial Assistance, Medical Transportation, and Employment Resources to Stark County Veterans and their families.
Canton, OH 44708
Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation
Payments for medical services and lost wages resulting from injury, occupational illness and/or death during the course of employment.
Suite 200
North Canton, OH 44720
Restore Addiction Recovery
Restore Addiction Recovery is a Christ-centered, Biblically-based, and Clinically-Supported 12-month residential program for men struggling with drug and/or alcohol addiction. Our services are free and no insurance is needed to join. While in our program, men receive individualized care, including but not limited to: 1-1 counseling, life coaching and life skills, job training and employment through our community work program, mentorship, financial coaching, healthy community, and more. Our goal is to prepare each man for life outside of our doors and have lasting freedom from addiction.
Akron, OH 44312
Stark County Community Action Agency
Emergency HEAP Appointment Line: 330-617-1055
Summer & Winter Crisis
PIPP
Offers employment services, financial support and career counseling to the Stark County community.
Head Start
HEAP
HWAP (Home Weatherization)
Work Force Development
Greater Stark County Urban League
Helping Stark County residents to develop responsibility, independence and life skills through job readiness and re-entry services.
Canton, OH 44707
Massillon City School District
Career Technical Education – Helping students to develop professional skills and experience to prepare them for future employment:
- Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA)
- Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)
- Skills USA
- Business Professionals of America (BPA)
- Educators Rising
- Junior Achievement
Massillon, OH 44646
Stark County Job & Family Services
Report child abuse: 330-455-KIDS / 1-800-233-5437
Partner with our customers, community and other service providers to protect children and vulnerable adults, stabilize and strengthen families, and encourage self-sufficiency and personal responsibility.
- Cash assistance
- Food assistance
- Medicaid & Medical
- Non-emergency transportation – Transportation to and from Medicaid-qualified appointments, including doctor visits, dental visits, vision appointments and more.
- Child care services
- Work experience program –
Canton, OH 44702
Canton City School District
Offers Adult Career & Technical Education – learn more at www.ccsdistrict.org/adulted
FREE Classes at Aspire of Stark County:
- Earn a High School Equivalency Diploma (GED)
- Improve English (ESOL-English for Speakers of Other Languages)
- Prepare for pre-employment testing
- Study for entrance exams
- Brush up on skills for success in college or training programs
- Improve your current job skills
- Help your children with homework
- Gain personal enrichment and satisfaction
Canton, OH 44702
Strengthening Stark
Strengthening Stark is a community-wide movement for our growing community. As part of their mission, they are dedicated to getting Stark County residents into better jobs and training through their Stark Career Connect program. Learn more at their website.
The Stark Jobs Platform site was created as a helpful tool for job hunters in the Stark County area. By breaking down employment opportunities by industry, location, and required qualifications, they hope to provide a comprehensive resource for those seeking jobs in Stark County.
Canton, OH 44702
Coleman Health Services – Alliance
Offers comprehensive, whole person treatment to children, adults and families in the communities we serve – regardless of their ability to pay
Delivers mental health, substance use, residential, and rehabilitation services
Walk-in Clinic:
Mon- Fri 11am – 12pm
Alliance, OH 44601
Coleman Health Services – Canton
Offers comprehensive, whole person treatment to children, adults and families in the communities we serve – regardless of their ability to pay
Delivers mental health, substance use, residential, and rehabilitation services
Walk-in Clinic: Mon- Fri 8am – 2pm
Suite 200
Canton, OH 44702
CommQuest Canton
Addiction and mental health counseling, psychiatric services, case management, education and employment services, detox, hot meals, social center
YWCA Alliance
We improve Alliance area women’s lives, stand up for justice, and strengthen communities with a focus on three impact areas: equipping youth, economic stability and advancement and senior nutrition and health
Provides transitional housing for women, a clothing boutique, employment and transportation assistance, youth programs, and Meals on Wheels for the senior community
Alliance, OH 44601
Goodwill Industries
Local Goodwill organizations are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that create job training programs, employment placement and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items. The Ken Weber Community Campus has walk-in services available Tuesdays and Thursdays for community resource connections. For further information on what Goodwill has to offer, please call our main campus or visit our website.
Thrift Store Locations
Massillon Museum
Massillon Museum is an art and history museum in downtown Massillon. Admission is always free. The Museum offers free or low-cost classes, workshops, and events for all ages. A Sensory Room is available for guests on the Museum’s Lower Level.
Massillon Museum is proud to be a member of Museums for All, offering reduced membership pricing and program discounts to those receiving SNAP benefits, and Blue Star Museums, offering membership and program discounts to active duty military personnel and their families.
Massillon, OH 44646