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For adolescents in Stark County, growing up can be a challenge – especially when money is tight and support is not available at home. When youth and teens are struggling to meet their most basic needs, there are many local organizations they can turn to for help. Discover ways to access food, clothing and shelter for adolescents across Stark.

Youth and teens are considered the highest at-risk group for homelessness in the United States. Each year, in communities like ours, it is estimated that up to two million young people are living on the streets, vulnerable to harm. Every child needs a healthy, safe environment in which to live. Learn what support services can help you or someone you know transition to a more stable living environment.

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.

Substance use and alcoholism can be devastating for teens. They may not realize the serious, long-term effects addiction can have on their bodies and developing brains, so it is important that they get support from adults and advocates who care. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, learn about the prevention, treatment and recovery services for teens available in Stark County.

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.

From the time social connections are formed, children experience peer pressure. Wanting to fit in is a normal part of growing up, but sometimes these pressures can lead to harmful behaviors. Some youth may experiment with drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Others may act out through violence or risky behaviors. If you know someone on a destructive path, learn where to get help and support.

When it comes to teenage behavior, it can be difficult to distinguish angst and mood swings from deep emotional turmoil. Learn where and how to report a problem if you believe you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness. There are many Stark County organizations dedicated to supporting young people in their journeys toward hope and recovery.

Teens accused of delinquent acts are typically processed through the Stark County Family Court. Rehabilitation is the primary goal for the juvenile justice system, with a focus on establishing positive behaviors and effective life strategies. Discover juvenile justice resources right here in Stark County that can help youth achieve positive goals, navigate the justice system and avoid future crimes.

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),

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. Call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 if you need immediate assistance.

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.

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.

The transition to adulthood is a time of significant changes and challenges. As you seek full-time employment, experience changes in your relationships and move toward independent living, life can feel overwhelming. No matter why you are hurting, it is important to remember you are not alone. Find mental health service providers and emotional support resources for young adults in Stark County. Call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 if you need immediate assistance.

Most people will experience a traumatic event at some point in their lives. Whether it is a natural disaster, exposure to violence or abuse, or the death of a loved one, a person’s ability to cope with these experiences can have a lasting effect. When a teen experiences trauma, they may respond differently than a younger child or an adult. Find local resources to help support young people who have gone through trauma and their traumatic stress in Stark County.

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.

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.

Unfortunately, substance use is becoming an increasing concern for younger children in our community. Children who develop drug and alcohol dependencies early in life often experience problems in the classroom, which can lead to long-lasting disadvantages in life. Find community-based prevention and recovery resources, including youth counseling, to help support children whose young lives are touched by addiction.

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.

After school or during the summer, school-based activities slow down and it can be difficult to find ways to keep kids and teens occupied. The youth enrichment activities available in Stark County provide children with positive ways to get involved in their communities, make new friends and stay busy beyond the classroom. Learn about the many opportunities for academic, social, emotional and recreational support near you. Please note, resource eligibility may be determined based on financial need.

It’s National Mentoring Month and there’s no better time to tell you how being a mentor changed my life! I have learned from the perspectives of young people. I have witnessed firsthand systemic racism and inequity. I have experienced the roadblocks that get in the way of accessing community resources. I have become a better listener and less judgmental. And I have seen how young people can lead the way, if given a voice and an opportunity.

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,

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?

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,

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.