AKRON, Ohio - ACCESS, an Akron homeless shelter that helps women and children find permanent housing, has reached a fundraising milestone. ACCESS raised $1.5 million in its 2016-2018 Time for Transformation campaign.

The record-breaking campaign culminated on Wednesday with a donor reception at the shelter at 230 W. Market St. near downtown Akron.

"This has been such an incredible journey," said ACCESS Executive Director Lynn Budnick. "We were never alone -- from an amazing leadership team and bold board members to an alliance of local foundations and incredible local philanthropists we all joined together, and the community responded to our call to action. Thank you for transforming the future not just for ACCESS, but for the women and children we serve."

During the campaign, donors were given the opportunity to contribute to the shelter's capital or endowment fund or to its operating needs, said Director of Advancement Jackie Hemsworth.

The majority of donors selected the shelter's endowment fund, contributing $830,000 to the ACCESS Endowment Fund, administrated by Akron Community Foundation.

"We're so grateful for the community to meet our call for help and to work to ensure the future of ACCESS," Hemsworth said.

All shelter residents come through Akron's homeless hotline and off waiting lists to gain spots at the shelter. The shelter is for women and their children, but accommodates boys under 18 who are admitted with their mothers.

"Most have been sleeping on someone's floors or in basements, or were evicted," she said. "They come from a variety of living conditions."

ACCESS houses about 75 people, with the average length of stay is 28 days, Hemsworth said.

"We're very proud that over 75 percent of the women who exit ACCESS leave for permanent housing," she said. "That's our number one goal, to find permanent housing."

ACCESS has served about 20,000 homeless women and children in Akron since 1983, and has been at its current site since 1996.

For more information about ACCESS visit the shelter's website or send an email.

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