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United Way of Summit County will strengthen its focus on Akron, including its public schools. Superintendent David James is seen in 2014 speaking at a Lebron James Family Foundation meeting at Buchtel Community Learning Center. i

(Kyle Lanzer, special to The Plain Dealer)

AKRON, Ohio - United Way of Summit County plans to sharpen its focus on early childhood youth opportunity, economic mobility and health access. And it plans to spend a good amount of its time and money in Akron.

Jim Mullen, president and chief executive officer since May 2015, presented what he called a new vision plan at the annual meeting of the nonprofit, which supports community organizations and charities in Summit County.

Mullen said he and staff spent the past year examining the organization's operations and focus, and evaluating ways to ensure that United Way's impact on the community is the most effective, according to a release.

"We are responding to our equally-committed partners who have told us that they want to be more strategic," said Mullen at the annual meeting. "United Way stakeholders have sent clear messages that they want to see more pronounced positive change in the lives of their neighbors, coworkers and fellow community members."

Success in Summit County is impossible without a strong urban core, the agency said. A redirection to Akron is because:

The agency is still committed to Collective Impact, the major initiative announced in 2010, which brings together dozens of organizations to work to solve issues, said vice president of marketing Beth Boggins.

United Way intentionally will not reveal a campaign number for 2015, she wrote.

In 2014, the charity set a goal of $12.8 million and raised $12.75 million.

"While the annual campaign will always be the economic driver of our work, we no longer want to be defined by it," she wrote. "Going forward, we intend to highlight other and multiple measures of our success."