(Photo: Tim Fitzwater)
connect2akron takes place Oct. 1 at Akron Civic Theatre
Following the success of last year’s inaugural connect2akron (c2a) event, area young professionals are bringing more than 30 nonprofits under one roof to help strengthen these long-lasting community partnerships.
This year’s c2a planning committee hopes to again witness exceeded expectations at its second annual, free event scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1 at the Akron Civic Theatre.
“I remember the energy and excitement I experienced among 200-plus c2a attendees and nonprofit representatives while I volunteered for the first c2a event,” says Lindsay Ridinger, a member of Young Professionals Network and member of the 2015 c2a planning committee. “I’m confident we can foster that same atmosphere among all the college students, recent graduates and young professionals we hope to attract to c2a at the Civic this year.”
The planning committee hopes to bring more than 300 people to the Oct. 1 event.
Following this theme of collaboration, a number young professional organizations have worked together to plan this year’s c2a: ArtCetera, Downtown Akron Partnership Emerging Leaders, Torchbearers, Young Professionals of Akron, Young Professionals Network of the Greater Akron Chamber and Young Black Professionals Coalition, which joined the planning efforts this year.
Meaningful connections are important to maintaining a passion for making a difference, say organizers. “In Torchbearers, we know that serving others is one of the best ways to build a real connection to the Greater Akron community,” says Getta Cornici, a board member of Torchbearers and chair of the 2015 c2a planning committee. “c2a makes it easy for young professionals to discover nonprofit organizations and sign up for service opportunities made available through this interactive event.”
The Knight Foundation and the Rotary Club of Akron have sponsored the event for 2015.
For more information about c2a or to register, visit www.ypakron.org/c2a. A list of this year’s 31 participating nonprofits can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/connect2akron.
