AKRON, Ohio – The Rape Crisis Center of Summit and Medina Counties has officially merged with Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center, creating a single, unified entity dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking. This formal merger marks the culmination of a decade of collaboration between the two agencies, which have shared leadership, staff, and facilities since 2016. By operating under the unified name of Hope & Healing, the organization aims to move away from victim-based labels and toward a survivor-centered approach that emphasizes empowerment and recovery.
The transition to a single organization was a strategic move initiated by leadership and the Board of Directors to ensure a seamless, trauma-informed continuum of care. Currently serving over 5,000 survivors annually, Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center provides essential 24/7 crisis response, emergency shelter, hospital and court advocacy, and trauma therapy. Incoming Board Chairperson Lt. William Keith Heilmeier noted that the unification is the result of years of planning to ensure that services are coordinated and accessible for those in need across the region.
As the organization enters its tenth year at its current Summit County shelter location, it is shifting focus toward critical infrastructure improvements. Following administrative office renovations in 2024 due to flood damage, the agency is now planning significant updates to the shelter itself. Chief Executive Director Teresa Stafford-Wright emphasized that these renovations are vital to providing survivors and their children with spaces that promote dignity and comfort. For those seeking immediate assistance, the confidential 24-hour crisis hotline remains available at 330-374-1111.
