LOCAL
ASCEND expands with new wellness, activity options | Heart of Stark
Stark Community Foundation
Special to The Canton Repository
Nov. 9, 2026, 5:56 a.m. ET
In partnership with The Repository, every Monday, Stark Community Foundation highlights positive happenings in our community. Here’s to Good News Mondays!
Adults in Stark County experiencing homelessness often face barriers when seeking wraparound services. ASCEND’s new Activity and Ref re.
ASCEND is a peer-run nonprofit organization providing recovery and wellness services in Stark County. This summer, the nonprofit opened the ARC in its downtown Canton office located at 116 Cleveland Ave. NW – giving adults in Stark County a place to participate in activities, access re at no cost.
The ARC is open to the community every Monday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ASCEND staff members and volunteers spend the first two hours encouraging peer-led activities focused on recovery and mental wellness, often in the form of a game, meditation or conversation.
“We don’t have therapists or clinicians at the ARC,” said Alesha Murphy, ASCEND operations director. “We’re all peers with our own lived experience in mental health, substance use or other challenges. We want to inspire hope for our visitors and show that recovery is possible.”
At noon, the ARC opens its community closet. With the support of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, visitors have access to food, beverages, hygiene products and clothing items
“A majority of the individuals that we’re serving are housing insecure or food insecure,” said Murphy. “We’re not here to judge people. We’re here to help people gain stability and independence in their lives – helping them with whatever they may need.”
Addressing a major need in Stark County, the ARC also offers laundry services and shower facilities that visitors can utilize during their time at the center. Visitors are also able to use the ARC’s two phones and computers in its technology center to apply for jobs, check their emails, set up appointments or connect with services they find in the re
The reion and contacts to help visitors with housing, mental health, addiction recovery, food pantry locations and other reare on site to share information and meet with visitors
The last hour of the ARC’s schedule is a designated time for visitors to socialize through entertainment and activities. Between the game room, art room, physical wellness room and living room, visitors have opportunities to watch movies, play games and form relationships with one another.
“When I enter the game room or the living room, it’s beautiful to see all these people that don’t know each other coming together,” said Emily Meinhart, ASCEND executive director. “They’re socializing in a safe space for people to share and not feel so isolated, and isolation is a major issue in Stark County.”
Visitors of the ARC seeking additional recovery and mental wellness sessions are also invited to attend ASCEND’s 15 peer-led support groups held throughout each week, which cover topics ranging from depression and trauma to healing and healthy relationships.
Last month, the ARC hosted an open house to invite community members and partners to visit the new space and learn about the services offered. Many residents were referred to the center, increasing the number of visitors that have attended since the event.
The center now estimates an additional five to 10 new visitors every week and currently serves around 80 residents.
“There’s so much judgment and stigma surrounding what people are going through,” said Meinhart. “This is a safe space where people can come if they’re struggling with housing or food, need a safe space to make calls, want a comfortable and warm place to relax or hope to be connected with recovery and wellness re
Learn more about the ARC at shorturl.at/L3GMD
As the community’s trusted partner in giving, Stark Community Foundation helps individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits achieve their philanthropic goals through a variety of charitable funds and strategic initiatives. Ranked in the top 10 percent of community foundations in the country, the Foundation and its family of donors have granted nearly $300 million to nonprofits since 1963. Learn how you can simplify your giving and amplify your impact at www.starkcf.org.
