About Us
AHEAD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It is a United Way agency, receiving additional financial support from individual contributions, corporate donations, and grants. A board of directors, broadly representative of the Western Stark community, governs our operations. Erica Thom is our Executive Director.
1995
AHEAD began its operations in 1995. Our core mission was, and remains, to address issues that keep at-risk students from being successful in school. Specifically, our mission is to assist Massillon students and their families in reducing barriers to learning by improving their academic, social, emotional, and overall well-being.
1999
In 1999, the school district received a
$1.5 million multi-year federal grant which facilitated the after-school program’s expansion to other elementary schools as well as the establishment of a summer component. AHEAD assumed an advisory role at that time.
2010
In 2010, with the encouragement and support of the Sisters of Charity Foundation, AHEAD established Massillon SPARK, a Kindergarten readiness program for four-year olds which emphasizes parental participation and parents as the child’s first teacher. A trained parent partner works with families to teach math and reading in the home.
2022
Parent Partner position expanded to full-time, a three-year-old program is
added to SPARK with 25 three-year olds participating in the first year.
1996
In November of the following year we began our first after-school enrichment program at Franklin Elementary School in Massillon. We served 25 children initially. That number increased to 50
in 1998.
2005
Commencing in 2005, AHEAD has taken a leading role to establish CARE Teams in the Massillon Schools. CARE Team is a multi-faceted approach to assist students who are experiencing serious difficulties in school. In addition, AHEAD provides both direct assistance and support to families in distress, including assessments and referrals to other agencies which provide shelter, food, medical, clothing and social services.
2017
A Behavior Coach is added to the AHEAD team because of a growing need in the preschools and elementary schools for someone to work with students with challenging behaviors that were not related to mental health concerns, however may seriously affect the classroom climate. Our coach has become an integral part of what we do, working with hundreds of students.
About Us
AHEAD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It is a United Way agency, receiving additional financial support from individual contributions, corporate donations, and grants. A fourteen-member board of directors, broadly representative of the Western Stark community, governs our operations. Erica Thom is our Executive Director.
1995
AHEAD began its operations in 1995. Our core mission was, and remains, to address issues that keep at-risk students from being successful in school. Specifically, our mission is to assist Massillon students and their families in reducing barriers to learning by improving their academic, social, emotional, and overall well-being.
1996
In November of the following year we began our first after-school enrichment program at Franklin Elementary School in Massillon. We served 25 children initially. That number increased to 50
in 1998.
1999
In 1999, the school district received a
$1.5 million multi-year federal grant which facilitated the after-school program’s expansion to other elementary schools as well as the establishment of a summer component. AHEAD assumed an advisory role at that time.
2005
Commencing in 2005, AHEAD has taken a leading role to establish CARE Teams in the Massillon Schools. CARE Team is a multi-faceted approach to assist students who are experiencing serious difficulties in school. In addition, AHEAD provides both direct assistance and support to families in distress, including assessments and referrals to other agencies which provide shelter, food, medical, clothing and social services.
2010
In 2010, with the encouragement and support of the Sisters of Charity Foundation, AHEAD established Massillon SPARK, a Kindergarten readiness program for four-year olds which emphasizes parental participation and parents as the child’s first teacher. A trained parent partner works with families to teach math and reading in the home.
2017
A Behavior Coach is added to the AHEAD team because of a growing need in the preschools and elementary schools for someone to work with students with challenging behaviors that were not related to mental health concerns, however may seriously affect the classroom climate. Our coach has become an integral part of what we do, working with hundreds of students.
2022
Parent Partner position expanded to full-time, a three-year-old program is
added to SPARK with 25 three-year olds participating in the first year.
Helpful Resources
Below, you can find links to additional community resources.
