Direction Home Akron Canton Foundation unveils new vision, mission

For immediate release: 

SUMMIT CO – After 26 years of advocacy focus for older adults in Portage, Stark, Summit, and Wayne Counties, the Direction Home Akron Canton Foundation announced a new mission and vision to better adapt to the changing needs of older adults.  

The Foundation’s new vision will be aging optimized through resource creation and innovation. Supported by the new mission: “Direction Home Foundation supports optimized aging for our families and neighbors to enjoy life how they want to experience it. We do this by increasing access to community-based care across all ages and abilities, raising awareness and funds to invest in innovation so that the future is bright across the lifespan.” The vision and mission will steer the Foundation in three focus areas:  

1. Access to Community Services: focus on improving access to essential community services for underserved populations.  

2. Innovation: funding that fosters partnerships, entrepreneurship and returns on investment while creating innovative solutions that optimize aging.  

3. Investment in the Agency: Investment in Direction Home as a leader for aging network professionals to provide the best quality of care. 

“Being innovative as a Foundation means rethinking traditional approaches and embracing creativity to address pressing individual and societal challenges,” said Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging President and CEO, Abigail Morgan. “It involves leveraging new technologies, forming unconventional partnerships, and designing programs that anticipate future needs rather than merely reacting to current issues.” 

Direction Home Foundation Board Vice Chair Dr. David Reynolds is also looking forward to the transformation: “As we see increases in our lifespan and longevity, we need to think about how we transform our approach to needs, supports and services. This new Foundation direction gives us the opportunity to create the kind of care that will carry us into the future.” 

The change for the Foundation is timely as we begin to navigate changes in funding and support for older adults at the national level.  These funds enabled Direction Home to create programming that successfully addressed gaps not covered by Medicaid or other State programs, such as social isolation prevention, digital inclusion, creative nutrition solutions, and more. The new focus of the Foundation will help grant space for similar types of endeavors, ensuring a future-focused direction for older adults to age well in the ways they choose. 

Who we are

Donations play a huge role in helping our Foundation achieve its mission. One hundred percent of your donation will go toward ensuring proper long-term care options for older adults. Your generosity can help make this possible! There are 4 ways to donate and endless possibilities for sponsorship. Learn more here, or contact the team below!