Amanda becomes a first-time homeowner

https://youtu.be/WwbDrdU9EjA?si=yv9IJEqe0Za1RR_E Amanda purchased a Canton For All People home January 2025. She pressed through to make this dream a reality even when she had doubts that it wouldn't happen for her.   A year later she's thriving and living in her forever home with her new husband.

Desiree becomes a first-time homeowner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXk6QUujKzU Desiree bought a Canton For All People house in May 2025 in Canton’s northwest neighborhood as a first-time homebuyer. “I’ve had my struggles being a single mom throughout the years so this was very rewarding to myself and my children,” Desiree said. Desiree not only grew up in the neighborhood, but she owns a hair salon on Fifth Street Northwest, so staying in her community was important to her and her three sons. She fell on hard times While pregnant with her third son in 2015 Desiree couldn’t work due to health complications. She lost her rental house and…

April 2026 Newsletter

READ THE NEWSLETTER HERE April 2026 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHvaBWrLAtQ&list=PLsyiZZkeRCH5YcBrI_lKzVSINZ5fBdWOW  

March 2026 Newsletter

READ THE NEWSLETTER HERE March 2026 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gIBUzti7gY&list=PLsyiZZkeRCH5YcBrI_lKzVSINZ5fBdWOW&index=2  

Canton mayor discusses data centers, policing in first State of the City speech

Ideastream Public Media (4/2/26) Canton’s mayor is willing to welcome data centers, but on the city's terms. That was one of the topics discussed in Mayor Bill Sherer's first State of the City speech at Umstattd Performing Arts Hall Thursday. Sherer, a long-time labor union leader and Canton City Council member, was elected mayor in 2023 and is seeking re-election next year, he said. Canton's mayor has not delivered a State of the City speech in about 12 years, he said. “If you would’ve asked me back then if I’d be the guy bringing it back, I would’ve told you,…

Build Ohio Neighborhoods Inc. starts to revitalize Alliance’s Ward 2 area

Canton Repository (3/31/26) A small grassy lot in Alliance, anchored by a towering backhoe, was ready for new construction. To a group of people gathered March 31 for a groundbreaking at 727 Milner St., it was no ordinary event. It symbolized hope and renewal in the city's Ward 2. The area is blighted. "This is wonderful," said Mayor Andy Grove. "This is just another step in what's been our plan for the last 2½ years to get affordable housing in Alliance." Build Ohio Neighborhoods Inc., a North Canton nonprofit, plans to build 10 high-quality homes for families in 2026 in…

Former Athens Restaurant in Canton sells at auction. Who bought it?

Canton Repository (3/20/26) The former Athens Restaurant property has a new owner. The building sold at auction on March 20, ending an era for one of Canton’s longtime dining establishments. The auction began at 12:30 p.m. at the former restaurant at 816 Harrison Ave. SW with a mix of in-person and online bidders. The final bid topped out at $165,000 from Don Ackerman and Bill Lemmon, both representing Canton for All People. That makes the final sale price $181,000 with the 10% buyer's premium. The organization hopes to keep it as a restaurant and find an operator, Ackerman said. "We specialize in…

Neighborhood Photo Project

Neighborhood Photo Project tells the past and present story of the Greater Shorb Neighborhood and the people that live there through guided conversations and pictures taken by residents. We need you – a resident photographer. What is a resident photographer? A resident photographer is someone who lives in the Greater Shorb neighborhood or Northwest side of Canton and takes pictures of what they see around them. This could include all sorts of things such as streets, houses, family, friends, barbecues – anything you find interesting or want to share. What's the purpose of Neighborhood Photo Project? This project will be…

Alliance City Council approves measures to build new homes in Ward 2

Canton Repository (2/4/26) City Council on Feb. 2 approved measures to revitalize Ward 2, paving the way for new homes in the low-income area. The action allows Build Ohio to construct 10 new, single-family homes in an area that includes Liberty, Seneca and Freedom streets. Build Ohio is a joint venture between Canton For All People and the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation. Both specialize in neighborhood revitalization. Their successes include the Shorb project in Canton. The project in Alliance also involves the Greater Alliance Foundation, Alliance Area Development, Alliance City Council and Mayor Andy Grove's office. The Lemmon and DeHoff…

A new Alliance partnership plans to build affordable houses in low-income area

Canton Repository (1/27/26) The people behind the Shorb revitalization in Canton have similar intentions for the Carnation City. Build Ohio plans to build 10 new, single-family houses in the Liberty Heights area in 2026 on Alliance's north side. The homes will be built on reclaimed lots owned by the city. The infill project aims to create affordable houses that the city severely lacks, multiple officials said. The effort will target low-income neighborhoods in Ward 2. The average price will be $200,000, but organizers will be securing $50,000 to $60,000 in subsidies as a down payment to give families equity. Ground…

‘It’s for the people.’ Newton Family Apartments complex in Canton nearly ready

Canton Repository (1/12/26) Where the notorious Canton Inn once stood, a new chapter for local families is about to begin.  The Newton Family Apartments complex is nearing completion, signaling a milestone in the city’s Shorb neighborhood revitalization efforts. The complex at 1016 2nd St. NW will consist of 52 units of affordable family housing.   The project took shape under the vision of Don Ackerman, executive director of Canton For All People and lead pastor of Crossroads United Methodist Church.  "It wasn't sufficient to just tear down the Canton Inn," Ackerman said. "We had to replace it with the thing we always hoped was there." Now, just…

‘The system is rigged’: Canton organizer provides housing, resources for the formerly incarcerated

Ideastream Public Media (10/7/25) This story is part of Ideastream Public Media’s “Sound of Us” series covering housing and advocacy in Canton, produced in partnership with Canton for All People. Learn more at ideastream.org/soundofus. Hundreds of people are about to gather in a large wood-paneled ballroom in a Cleveland suburb on a sunny Saturday morning. They’re arriving from across the state to learn about the legal obstacles that keep formerly incarcerated people from succeeding when re-entering society. Shauntae Metcalf of Canton is one of the speakers. She was formerly incarcerated herself for a kidnapping and abduction charge back in 2015. When she…