Early Childhood & Family Support
Helping families build strong foundations during the earliest years of a child’s life while meeting critical everyday needs.
FOUNDATIONAL FAMILY SUPPORT
Help Me Grow Program
The Help Me Grow Program is one of LINKS’ foundational family support services, designed to strengthen families with young children during the most important early years of development, at no cost to families.
In times of hardship or crisis, families may also be connected with emergency support and essential community resources to help meet immediate needs.
What began by serving 20 families has grown to support 84 families in Akron, reflecting the increasing need for early childhood guidance and resources in our community.
Through this program, trained specialists conduct in-home visits to:
- Assess child development milestones
- Support parents in understanding their child’s growth and learning stages
- Provide guidance on healthy development, behavior, and early learning
- Connect families with helpful community resources
Our goal is to ensure parents and children receive the tools, encouragement, and education needed to build a strong foundation for lifelong success. Through personalized support in the home environment, families gain confidence and knowledge that helps children thrive socially, emotionally, and developmentally.
Through this program, trained specialists conduct in-home visits to:
- Assess child development milestones
- Support parents in understanding their child’s growth and learning stages
- Provide guidance on healthy development, behavior, and early learning
- Connect families with helpful community resources
Our goal is to ensure parents and children receive the tools, encouragement, and education needed to build a strong foundation for lifelong success. Through personalized support in the home environment, families gain confidence and knowledge that helps children thrive socially, emotionally, and developmentally.
REDUCING FOOD INSECURITY
LINKS Emergency Food Pantry
The LINKS Emergency Food Pantry provides immediate access to nutritious food for individuals and families in Akron facing temporary hardship. Our pantry serves as a vital safety net - helping reduce food insecurity and ensuring that no family in our community goes hungry during difficult times.
LINKS is committed to meeting people where they are and providing compassionate support that strengthens our community's overall well-being.
Wednesdays, 10 am - 2 pm
Once a week assistance per family
Families may receive assistance once per week as needed, with weekly food pick up available on Wednesdays, from 10 am - 2 pm. Emergency pick up is available Monday through Thursday. Services include:
- Groceries and pantry staples
- Healthy meal options
- Supplemental items to support household needs
Beyond food, our goal is to offer stability, dignity, and relief during moments of crisis. By reducing grocery costs, families are better able to focus on housing, employment, childcare, and other essential responsibilities.
Wednesdays, 10 am - 2 pm
Once a week assistance per family
The pantry operates Monday through Thursday, and families may receive assistance once per week as needed. Services include:
- Groceries and pantry staples
- Healthy meal options
- Supplemental items to support household needs
Beyond food, our goal is to offer stability, dignity, and relief during moments of crisis. By reducing grocery costs, families are better able to focus on housing, employment, childcare, and other essential responsibilities.
Reliable Care in early childhood
LINKS Diaper Bank
Diaper Supplies Twice a Month
Infants & Toddlers
The LINKS Diaper Bank supports families with infants and toddlers by relieving one of the most common, and costly, parenting expenses. We provide free diapers and wipes to families in need so babies can stay clean, healthy, and comfortable.
This program operates independently of Help Me Grow, allowing LINKS to serve an even broader range of families in the Akron community.
Families enrolled in the program are eligible to receive diaper supplies twice per month, ensuring consistent support during early childhood years when expenses are often highest. This program is available on alternating Tuesdays, from 10 am - 2 pm at our Fulton St location. Click here to view the schedule.
First-time participants must provide a birth certificate to meet eligibility requirements. If you don't yet have a birth certificate, we can accept the tag from the bassinet provided to you at the hospital.
By reducing this essential cost, the LINKS Diaper Bank helps parents focus on their children’s growth, health, and well-being - strengthening families one small but powerful resource at a time.
Families enrolled in the program are eligible to receive diaper supplies twice per month, ensuring consistent support during early childhood years when expenses are often highest. This program is available on alternating Tuesdays, from 10 am - 2 pm at our Fulton St location. Click here to view the schedule.
First-time participants must provide a birth certificate to meet eligibility requirements. If you don't yet have a birth certificate, we can accept the tag from the bassinet provided to you at the hospital.
By reducing this essential cost, the LINKS Diaper Bank helps parents focus on their children’s growth, health, and well-being - strengthening families one small but powerful resource at a time.
Getting Connected is Simple
We believe access to great programs shouldn’t be complicated. Here’s how to get your child started.
Reach Out
Call us, email, or stop by 756 Upson Street, Akron.
Find the Right Fit
Our team walks you through available programs and matches your child with the right one.
Meet the Community
Your child meets program leaders, gets oriented, and starts feeling at home.
Watch Them Grow
Your child begins their journey, learning, connecting, and becoming.
Ready to take the first step?
LINKS Serves the Whole Family
Youth
Development
Safe, supportive, and engaging programs that help young people grow into confident leaders.
Senior
Connection
Engaging programs and support designed for our elder community members.
Community Empowerment
Neighborhood events, beautification, the community garden, and more.
Youth Development
Safe, supportive, and engaging programs that help young people grow into confident leaders.
Senior Connection
Engaging programs and support designed for our elder community members.
Community Empowerment
Neighborhood events, beautification, the community garden, and more.