Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Donate $1.25M to Akron Shelter
ACCESS Women and Children’s Emergency Shelter in Akron, Ohio, has secured a significant grant of $1.25 million from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund. This fund, established by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, aims to support organizations addressing homelessness across the United States.
Bezos Day 1 Families Fund Grant
The $1.25 million funding is part of an initiative where Bezos and Sánchez award grants annually to various organizations that assist families experiencing homelessness. This year, ACCESS Shelter is among 32 recipients chosen nationwide.
Impact on the Community
Jackie Hemsworth, Executive Director of ACCESS, expressed gratitude for the grant. She stated, “It is truly an honor to receive such a future-changing grant from the Day 1 Families Fund.” The shelter intends to use the funds over five years to enhance services for women and children in need.
- Increase shelter bed availability
- Expand wraparound services
- Create pathways to permanent housing
Background on ACCESS Shelter
ACCESS Women and Children’s Emergency Shelter provides essential support services for homeless families in Summit County, Ohio. The organization was selected for the grant by a panel of national advisors specialized in housing policy and homelessness solutions.
About the Day 1 Families Fund
Founded in 2018, the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund has awarded approximately 280 grants, totaling more than $850 million. These grants support various organizations dedicated to helping families throughout the U.S. by addressing the urgent issue of homelessness.
The significant donation to ACCESS Shelter reflects a commitment to enhancing community support for vulnerable families in Akron and beyond.
