Note to readers:
The following item is a written record of the Ward 8 meeting from June 17, compiled by Akron Documenter Gavin Smith. It is not a reported story.
Documenters are residents who are trained to observe and document local government meetings. Their notes are edited before publication for clarity and accuracy — unless quotation marks are used, all text is paraphrased.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalakron.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.
Summary
- The International Institute of Akron has helped immigrants for 110 years.
- Halo Foundation has installed a blessing box – a 24/7 food pantry available to anyone – at 134 Western Ave. in Ward 8.
- Akron’s immigrant population continues to live in fear and struggle due to the presence of ICE and loss of benefits like SNAP.
Documenter’s follow-up questions
- Has a program similar to PIVOT been successful elsewhere?
- Are there any other ways the City of Akron can work with IIA to make immigrants safe?
- What was the fall-out from Ward 6 Council Member Brad McKitrick’s niece’s detainment?
Meeting notes
Meeting started at 6:03 p.m.
Ward 8 Council Member Bruce Bolden was absent, and Ward 6 Council Member Brad McKitrick led the meeting in his place.
International Institute provides immigrant resettlement, services
International Institute of Akron Executive Director of Immigration Legal Services Madhu Sharma shared information about the group, which was founded in 1916.
Sharma explained to the Ward 8 audience what the group does, including:
- Providing resettlement and immigration services, including employment assistance and English classes.
- Helping to resettle refugees from Democratic Republic of the Congo and Bhutan, among other countries.
Refugees in Akron have been deeply impacted by SNAP benefit cuts, Sharma said.
“Many of our community members, especially those who are undocumented, the way they live is just unthinkable right now,” Sharma said. “They’re afraid to go grocery shopping. They’re terrified of ICE and we do have ICE presence in Akron. We have an ICE office on Main Street.”
The group’s pantry program fed 550 people in the first three months of operation. And they gave out $20,000 in gift cards. She said if people want to help, they can go to www.iiakron.org.
Someone asked if IIA partners with Akron Metropolitan Housing Administration — Sharma said that they generally do not since the process takes too long, but there have been some instances of immigrants utilizing AMHA services.
McKitrick said his niece, a natural-born citizen, was detained by ICE for six hours despite having citizenship paperwork with her.
Public safety update includes crime prevention program
- Akron Police Officer Officer Aaron Brown shared a public safety update.
- He talked about a previous Ward 8 shooting near Hardesty Park and said that, though a picture of the suspect was released, APD has not yet arrested anybody. The victim was shot in the leg and has been released from the hospital, according to Brown.
- The PIVOT Program helps victims of gun violence and was launched in early June.
- According to an Akron press release: “PIVOT expands that ecosystem by focusing on intervention and recovery during the critical period immediately following a gun violence injury … individuals treated for gun violence injuries at local hospitals will be connected with coordinated support services aimed at reducing retaliation, preventing re-injury, addressing trauma, and creating pathways toward long-term stability and healing.”
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Halo Foundation sets up mini-food pantry in Ward 8
Founder Sharon Deitrick spoke about the organization and what it does. It was set up, according to the group’s website, in the aftermath of the Flight 93 tragedy on Sept. 11, 2001. The goal is to honor those who died and to serve others while developing student leaders.
- Flight 93 First Anniversary Memorial – Deitrick and the foundation work to raise funds for the memorial and educate people about what happened on Flight 93.
- New initiative:
- Blessing Boxes are mini food pantries available at anytime to anyone in need. One was installed in Ward 8 at 134 Western Ave. in Northwest Akron and three more are planned.
