About | Akron Promise

Akron Promise was founded in 2016 by Tom and Daralee Ghinder, after studying Promise programs all over the country. A Promise program is a placed-based scholarship and student support organization. There are currently over 400 Promise programs in the United States. Each program has the same purpose, but is unique to its location, demographics and funding.

In 2017, Akron Promise started the process to implement direct programs for students at what was then Kenmore-Garfield High School. These included the Kenmore-Garfield Student Advocates and ACT Testing Support programs. In the fall of 2018, nine Kenmore-Garfield Graduates started post-secondary education at Stark State College with book and tuition scholarships from Akron Promise. Currently, our scholarship is available to all Garfield CLC graduates, going to Stark State College, Kent State University, or The University of Akron.

Our work is primarily at Garfield CLC. We've been hosting a speaker-series to introduce students to community professionals who have been in the same seats as they're in. We've participated in educational events at Garfield and with other organizations. We provide support and mentoring to our high school and college students. Our ultimate goal is to have a universal Promise program, with scholarships and support for each and every student in Akron Public Schools.

Resources about Promise Programs

The Promise: A Case Study of Say Yes to Education in Buffalo – A study concerning implementation of the ‘Promise’ program in Buffalo.
Migration and Housing Price Effects of Place-Based College Scholarships – Research showing that place-based scholarship programs reduce out-migration.