Ways & Means Highlights

• Coordinate programs and services at many of our large assisted and public housing sites
• Over 2,000 residents placed in jobs
• $16.7 million returned to communities through annual Earned Income Tax Credit/Asset Building (EITC/ABC) campaigns

Featured Project

Cascade Village - Akron, OH

Ford MI/MR

Ford MI/MR

Kandice Lacy

Kandice Lacy moved into Cascade Village in December of 2006. After moving back home from attending school in Columbus, she needed a fresh start and a solid foundation, so that she could move forward. Kandice, a single mother of five-year old Aeron, held a part time job at a dry cleaner, attended the University of Akron full time, and worked hard at raising her little one alone. Although things weren't easy, she was able to keep her head above water as she moved closer to graduation.

Just before graduating, however, Kandice learned that she did not have enough financial aid to complete her final semester of undergraduate studies at the University of Akron. She was running out of options until she approached Cascade Village staff for help. Thanks to a scholarship from The Community Builders, Kandice was able to complete school with a degree in Social Work.

Kandice is now a Family Development Specialist at a Transitional Housing Agency in Akron, Ohio. She is also pursuing her Masters’ Degree in Social Work at the University of Akron and is set to graduate in May of 2010, just as her son finishes kindergarten at the local King Elementary School. In her own words, Kandice states that "without The Community Builders and Cascade Village’s help, I don’t know where I would be right now."