Area Resources for Students and Community Members
The Portage County Pride Fund was created to ensure that individuals, families, and students in Portage County continue to have access to the support they need. This fund provides grants to local organizations serving the LGBTQ+ community and offers emergency financial assistance to students facing unexpected challenges. Beyond funding, there is a strong network of support available for those in need, including the organizations listed on this page, all working together to provide resources, care, and connection across our community.
Important Resources for Any Resident:
211 – United Way
Every day, residents of the community can contact 211 for free and confidential crisis and emergency counseling, disaster assistance, food, health care and insurance assistance, stable housing, utilities payment assistance, employment services, veteran services, and childcare and family services.
Portage County Food Resource Dashboard – PCHD
The Food Resources Dashboard provides easy access to essential food assistance resources across Portage County. The interactive map features food pantries, SNAP retailers, WIC-approved stores, and farmers’ markets. You can filter by day of the week and location to find the most convenient options for you.
Hotlines
National Gay and Lesbian Hotline
1-888-843-7386
Trans Lifeline
www.TransLifeline.org 877-565-8860
The Trevor Project
1-866-488-7386
Listed below are many local, regional and national organizations covering a wide range of needs. Please click on the menu links below to easily access each section.
Support Groups
Colors+ Youth Center
21430 Lorain Rd, Suite 400, Fairview Park, OH 44126, (330) 529-5667
www.colorsplus.org
www.colorsplus.org
Continuum- Student Org
Kent State University Stark Campus
Group is open to all
Advisor: Katrina Bloch, kbloch@kent.edu
Facebook: @ContinuumKSUStark
LGBTQ+ Lorain County
P.O. Box 654, Elyria OH 44035
(440) 574-0393
(440) 574-0393
Margie’s Pride/Hope/Kids
Margie’s Pride (Parents group)
Margie’s Hope (Trans support all ages)
Margie’s Kids (Trans support kids/teens)
info@margieshope.org (440) 857-0611
www.margieshope.org
facebook.com/MargiesHopeOhio
Margie’s Pride& Kids- 1st Fri ea/mnth 6-8pm Fairlawn-West UCC, 2095 W. Market St, Akron
Margie’s Hope (Trans support all ages)
Margie’s Kids (Trans support kids/teens)
info@margieshope.org (440) 857-0611
www.margieshope.org
facebook.com/MargiesHopeOhio
Margie’s Pride& Kids- 1st Fri ea/mnth 6-8pm Fairlawn-West UCC, 2095 W. Market St, Akron
MetaCenter Akron
(Trans support 7-19y)
https://metacenterinc.org/
Facebook: @Metacenterinc
1717 Brittain Road, Akron, OH, 44310
https://metacenterinc.org/
Facebook: @Metacenterinc
1717 Brittain Road, Akron, OH, 44310
Out Support Medina
(youth support)
Check website or FB page for updated schedule
Unity of Medina, 655 N. Broadway St.
Medina, OH 44256, 330-461-5545
lgbtqgroupmedinaohio@gmail.com
www.OutSupport.org
Check website or FB page for updated schedule
Unity of Medina, 655 N. Broadway St.
Medina, OH 44256, 330-461-5545
lgbtqgroupmedinaohio@gmail.com
www.OutSupport.org
Buckeye Flame
Online news https://thebuckeyeflame.com
PFLAG – Akron
Parents & Friends of Lesbians and Gays:
330-342-5825 www.pflagakron.com
PFLAGAkron@gmail.com to learn more
330-342-5825 www.pflagakron.com
PFLAGAkron@gmail.com to learn more
PFLAG – Cleveland
216-220-7030
www.pflagcleveland.org
mail@pflagcleveland.org
2nd Tues each month, 6:30 first timers, 6:45pm returning members. Trinity Cathedral
Go to website to register & receive meeting link
615 Prospect Rd., Berea, OH 44017
www.pflagcleveland.org
mail@pflagcleveland.org
2nd Tues each month, 6:30 first timers, 6:45pm returning members. Trinity Cathedral
Go to website to register & receive meeting link
615 Prospect Rd., Berea, OH 44017
Stark State LGBTQ+ Student Org.
Advisor: Natalee Hilt nhilt@starkstate.edu
330-494-6170 x 4903
330-494-6170 x 4903
Townhall II- Rainbow After the Rain
Free weekly support group
155 N. Water St, Kent, OH 44240
malleng@townhall2.com
www.townhall2.com/voca-services
155 N. Water St, Kent, OH 44240
malleng@townhall2.com
www.townhall2.com/voca-services
TransAlive Support Group
(all ages)
4th Tues. of every month, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Fairlawn West UCC, 2095 W. Market. St.
Akron, OH 44313
4th Tues. of every month, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Fairlawn West UCC, 2095 W. Market. St.
Akron, OH 44313
TransCEND Canton
(all ages)
www.Transcendcanton.com
www.Transcendcanton.com
TransFamily – Cleveland
Facebook.com/TransFamilyCleveland
Instagram.com/transfamilycleveland/
(216) 302-8499
Instagram.com/transfamilycleveland/
(216) 302-8499
TransOhio
Resources
PO Box 14481, Columbus, Ohio 43214
TransOhio@transohio.org
https://www.facebook.com/transohio
James Knapp, chair James@transohio.org
PO Box 14481, Columbus, Ohio 43214
TransOhio@transohio.org
https://www.facebook.com/transohio
James Knapp, chair James@transohio.org
“This fund is about making sure no one in our community feels alone. Together, we can provide hope, support, and a safety net when it is needed most.”
Ken D
Chair, Portage County Pride Fund Advisory Board
Recovery/Sobriety Programs
Akron A.A. Intergroup
St. John’s Church, 2220 2nd St.
Cuyahoga Falls, 330-253-8181
Cuyahoga Falls, 330-253-8181
Kent Living Sober A.A. LGBT Discussion
Sundays of every month, 7:30 p.m. – U.U. Church of Kent 228 Gougler Ave. , Kent
Lamdba Study Group, AA LGBT Group
Wednesdays of every month, 8 p.m.
Fairlawn West United Church of Christ
Market St., Akron, OH 44313
Fairlawn West United Church of Christ
Market St., Akron, OH 44313
B. Riley House
LGBTQ+ Treatment/Recovery Housing
www.brileysoberhome.org
216-417-4831 | intake@brileysoberhome.org
2121 West 117th Cleveland, OH 4411
www.brileysoberhome.org
216-417-4831 | intake@brileysoberhome.org
2121 West 117th Cleveland, OH 4411
Open & Affirming Faith/Religious
The Bath Church UCC
3980 W. Bath Rd, Akron, OH 44333 (330) 666-3520, www.bathucc.org
Emmanuel Fellowship Church
60 N. Arlington St., Akron OH 44305
(330) 376-8725, www.efcakron.org
(330) 376-8725, www.efcakron.org
Episcopal Church of Our Saviour
471 Crosby St. , Akron, OH
330-535-9174, www.episcopalakron.org
330-535-9174, www.episcopalakron.org
First Congregational Church of Akron
292 East Market St, Akron, OH 44308,
330-253-5109, www.akronfcc.org
2nd Sunday/month- LGBTQ+ Community Nights lgbt@akronfcc.org
330-253-5109, www.akronfcc.org
2nd Sunday/month- LGBTQ+ Community Nights lgbt@akronfcc.org
Faith Lutheran Church ELCA
2726 W. Market, Fairlawn, OH 44333
(330) 836-8811, www.faithlutheranchurch.org
(330) 836-8811, www.faithlutheranchurch.org
Kent United Church of Christ
1400 E. Main St., Kent, Ohio
44240330-673-9534, office@kentucc.org
44240330-673-9534, office@kentucc.org
Oasis Akron
LGBTQIA: Celebrating + Centering Christian Group, Meets every Monday at the Akron Public Library Main Campus
(618) 713-7053, danielleschultz@yahoo.com
(618) 713-7053, danielleschultz@yahoo.com
Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent
228 Gougler Ave, Kent, Ohio 44240
330-673-4247, churchoffice@kentuu.org
330-673-4247, churchoffice@kentuu.org
Unitarian Universalist Church of Akron
3300 Morewood Rd. , Akron, OH 44333
330-836-2206, www.uuakron.org
330-836-2206, www.uuakron.org
United Methodist Church of Kent
1435 E. Main St., Kent, OH 44240
(330) 673-5879 www.kentmethodist.org
(330) 673-5879 www.kentmethodist.org
Q Christian Fellowship
Plexus LGBT & Allied Chamber of NEO
6600 Detroit Ave, Cleveland 44102
info@thinkpluexus.org, www.thinkplexus.org,
Affirming Business Directory: https://business.thinkplexus.org/list
info@thinkpluexus.org, www.thinkplexus.org,
Affirming Business Directory: https://business.thinkplexus.org/list
Queer in Canton
2663 Cleveland Ave NW, Canton 44709
www.queerincanton.com
www.queerincanton.com
Research status of church:
Other Resources
Workplace Discrimination Issues
The website linked below provides helpful information when faced with workplace discrimination. We provide the link not as an endorsement of any law firm, but as a source for further education and guidance.
LGBTQ+ Discrimination in the Workplace
Agencies/Social Services
Center for Gender Affirming Medicine
Akron Children’s Hospital
Up to age 25
Up to age 25
215 W. Bowery St., Akron 44308
(330) 543-8538
Bayard Rustin LGBTQ+ Resource Center
652 W. Exchange St, Akron 44302 (330) 983-4044, www.ohioaac.org
BRAVO
Cleveland Clinic Center for LGBT Care
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/about/community/lgbt-health
Chagrin Falls Family Health Center
551 E. Washington St., 440-893-9393
Lakewood Family Health Center
16215 Madison Ave., 216-521-4400
Chagrin Falls Family Health Center
551 E. Washington St., 440-893-9393
Lakewood Family Health Center
16215 Madison Ave., 216-521-4400
CANAPI
Community AIDS Network/Akron Pride Initiative
759 W. Market St., Akron, Ohio 44303
330-252-1559, Canapi.org
759 W. Market St., Akron, Ohio 44303
330-252-1559, Canapi.org
Equality Ohio
Cleveland & Columbus
www.EqualityOhio.org
(614) 224-0400, info@equalityohio.org
Legal Clinic: 855-542-8529
https://equalityohio.org/legal-clinic/
www.EqualityOhio.org
(614) 224-0400, info@equalityohio.org
Legal Clinic: 855-542-8529
https://equalityohio.org/legal-clinic/
Equitas Health Akron
330-794-5289
1815 W. Market St. #207, Akron 44313
equitashealth.com/locations/akron/
1815 W. Market St. #207, Akron 44313
equitashealth.com/locations/akron/
Full Spectrum Community Center
Gay Community Endowment Fund
of the Akron Community Foundation
Offering student scholarships & grants for non-profits
www.akroncf.org/grantmaking-initiatives/affiliate-funds/gay-community-endowment-fund/
Offering student scholarships & grants for non-profits
www.akroncf.org/grantmaking-initiatives/affiliate-funds/gay-community-endowment-fund/
GLSEN Northeast Ohio
The LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland
6600 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44102
216-651-5428, lgbtcleveland.org
216-651-5428, lgbtcleveland.org
MetroHealth Pride Clinic
216-957-4905
Pediatric Gender Services (17 and under):
216-778-8564
www.metrohealth.org/pride-clinic
Pediatric Gender Services (17 and under):
216-778-8564
www.metrohealth.org/pride-clinic
Plexus LGBT & Allied Chamber of NEO
6600 Detroit Ave, Cleveland 44102
info@thinkpluexus.org, www.thinkplexus.org,
Affirming Business Directory: https://business.thinkplexus.org/list
info@thinkpluexus.org, www.thinkplexus.org,
Affirming Business Directory: https://business.thinkplexus.org/list
Queer in Canton
2663 Cleveland Ave NW, Canton 44709
www.queerincanton.com
www.queerincanton.com
Summa Health Pride Clinic
NEO LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator
Veteran’s Administration:
Scott Woodard (216) 791-3800 x 66023, scott.woodard@va.gov
Scott Woodard (216) 791-3800 x 66023, scott.woodard@va.gov
Portage County Pride Fund
Give Hope. Give Now
All donations to the Portage County Pride Fund go directly toward grantmaking and emergency assistance within Portage County. To contribute, click below or contact us directly.