The 5 Pillars Of Change: How United Way Of Greater Stark County Is Transforming Canton, Ohio In 2025
The United Way of Greater Stark County (UWGSC) is currently operating as a powerful force for community transformation, dedicating its resources to the core areas of Health, Education, and Financial Stability across Canton, Massillon, and the wider Stark County region. As of December 20, 2025, the organization continues to launch fresh, targeted initiatives, moving beyond traditional fundraising to implement strategic, long-term solutions that address the most pressing needs of children and families.
This deep dive explores the newest updates, the influential leadership, and the critical programs—from the Give 5 volunteer initiative to the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library—that are defining the United Way's impact and setting the agenda for a more resilient and thriving community in Northeast Ohio. The organization’s focus remains firmly on putting the family at the center of all its efforts, ensuring that every dollar raised creates a measurable, positive change.
Leadership Profile: Angela Perisic and Key Executive Team
The United Way of Greater Stark County (UWGSC) is guided by a dedicated executive team focused on strategic community impact, transparency, and accountability. The organization’s leadership is responsible for overseeing multi-million dollar operations and ensuring that all programs align with the core mission of improving health, education, and financial stability in the region.
- President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Angela Perisic
- Appointment Date: April 1, 2022
- Key Role: Drives the overall vision, strategy, and community partnerships for UWGSC, often sharing impact stories through her "Ang on the Go" platform.
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO): Cristina Torrence
- Vice President, Community Impact: Adrianne Price
- Fiscal Year End (Latest Report): March 31, 2024
- Total Revenues (FYE March 2024): $5,747,295
- Total Assets (FYE March 2024): $17,557,654
Under the current leadership, the UWGSC has maintained a strong focus on utilizing public records and audited financial statements to ensure donor confidence, with the latest tax filings reflecting detailed compensation and financial health for the fiscal year ending in March 2024.
Pillar 1: Fresh Initiatives and Strategic Partnerships (2024-2025)
The United Way of Greater Stark County is continually evolving its approach, moving quickly to address immediate community crises while building long-term health infrastructure. The most recent announcements highlight a sharp focus on combating hunger and improving access to essential healthcare services.
Targeted Funding to Combat Food Insecurity
In a critical move to tackle hunger, the UWGSC announced a special funding award in late 2024 (with an announcement date of December 2, 2025, likely indicating a future or end-of-year disbursement) aimed specifically at local food pantries. This funding is designed to provide immediate relief and expand the capacity of partner organizations to serve families facing food insecurity across Stark County. The investment underscores the United Way’s commitment to providing basic needs as a foundation for achieving financial stability and better health outcomes.
The Access Health Stark County Collaboration
A significant partnership announced in December 2024 involves the United Way, in collaboration with the North Canton Medical Foundation, providing funding for a Community Health Worker (CHW) position. This CHW will work with Access Health Stark County to bridge the gap between residents and necessary healthcare and social services. Community Health Workers are vital entities in the health ecosystem, helping to navigate complex systems, reduce health disparities, and improve the overall well-being of underserved populations.
Pillar 2: Driving Education and Early Childhood Success
The foundation of a successful community is built on education, and UWGSC has invested heavily in programs that ensure children are prepared for school and beyond. These initiatives target early literacy and educational equity.
The Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Program
One of the most popular and impactful programs in the region is the local affiliate of the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. The United Way of Greater Stark County acts as the champion for this initiative, which mails a new, high-quality, age-appropriate book directly to enrolled children every month from birth to age five.
The goal is simple yet profound: to foster a love of reading and ensure children enter kindergarten with the necessary literacy skills. The program is available to families in both Stark County and the Carroll County Affiliate, demonstrating a regional approach to early childhood education and kindergarten readiness.
SummerTime Kids and Youth Programs
Beyond early literacy, the United Way supports programs like the SummerTime Kids initiative. This program helps fund enriching summer activities for local youth, ensuring that educational and social development does not stop when the school year ends. By partnering with various organizations, UWGSC helps provide safe, engaging, and educational summer experiences that are crucial for social-emotional training and intervention, especially for at-risk youth.
Pillar 3: Cultivating Financial Stability and Independence
Financial stability is one of the three core pillars of the United Way’s mission, focusing on helping families become self-sufficient through critical support services.
Free Tax Services and Financial Empowerment
A cornerstone of the financial stability pillar is the provision of free tax services, often through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. This service helps low-to-moderate-income families file their taxes accurately at no cost, ensuring they receive all eligible tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). By saving families hundreds of dollars in preparation fees and maximizing their returns, the United Way directly injects funds back into the local economy and strengthens household budgets.
Emergency Assistance and Housing Support
UWGSC also allocates funds to partner agencies that provide essential safety net services, including emergency rent/utility assistance and housing and shelter services. This immediate support is crucial for preventing homelessness and keeping families stable during times of crisis, allowing them to focus on long-term goals in education and employment.
Pillar 4: The Power of Volunteering: The Give 5 Program
The United Way of Greater Stark County has innovatively tapped into the experience and wisdom of the retiree population through its unique Give 5 program.
- What is Give 5? It is a no-cost civic-matchmaking volunteer program specifically designed for individuals aged 55 and older who are retired or semi-retired.
- How it Works: The program connects these experienced volunteers with local nonprofit organizations that are in need of their skills and time. The goal is to match passion with purpose, creating a powerful synergy between the community's most experienced citizens and organizations doing vital work.
- Impact: Give 5 not only provides valuable volunteer power to the nonprofit sector but also helps retirees find meaningful engagement, combating social isolation and promoting a sense of continued purpose in Stark County.
Pillar 5: Recognizing Excellence and Campaign Success
The UWGSC celebrates the generosity and commitment of its partners and donors through its annual campaign and awards ceremony. The organization’s fundraising efforts are a testament to the community's collective spirit.
Annual Campaign and Workplace Giving
While the final, consolidated fundraising total for the most recent 2024 campaign is often released after the fiscal year ends, the success is evident through the widespread participation of local businesses. For example, major partners like Gervasi Vineyard demonstrated exceptional commitment by donating and fundraising over $28,000 in cash directly to the United Way of Greater Stark County for the 2024 campaign. These workplace campaigns are the lifeblood of the organization, providing the crucial funds needed for year-round program support.
Honoring Community Leaders
The Annual Celebration is a key event where the United Way recognizes outstanding contributions. Recent awards include the prestigious DeHoff Emerging Philanthropist of Stark County Award and the United Way of Greater Stark County Gold Key, which honor individuals and organizations for their exceptional dedication to the United Way mission and the betterment of the community.
The continued success of the United Way of Greater Stark County is not just measured in dollars raised, but in the tangible impact on the lives of children and families—from a book mailed to a toddler to a tax return filed for a working parent, and a Community Health Worker connecting a neighbor to essential services.
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