SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO—On Monday, Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro and County Council passed legislation to recognize Child Support Awareness Month and the Akron Pride Festival and Equity March. The legislation asks residents to wear green on August 4 in recognition of the importance of child support and declares August 28 Summit County Pride Day.
Child support is an essential element in providing family stability and ensuring children grow up safe and healthy by keeping children and families out of poverty. In Summit County, the Prosecutor’s Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) collects nearly $74 million annually. Ensuring that children receive the financial support they deserve involves working partnerships between county, state, and federal agencies, parents, legislators, judges, health care professionals, advocacy groups, employers, and many others. The leadership shown by CSEA in this process makes a difference in lives of countless children and families.
On August 28, the City of Akron will host the annual Akron Pride Festival and Equity March. This event is held each August to unify and affirm the LGBTQ+ community and allies in celebrating diversity and promoting likeness. While the LGBTQ+ community has made significant progress in achieving equality and equity, there is still much work to be done. Events like the Akron Pride Festival are critical to the continued advancement of equity for the LGBTQ+ community.
“Summit County is committed to fostering a community where all individuals and families feel safe and accepted and have the opportunity to live, work, and thrive alongside their neighbors,” said Executive Shapiro. “We are proud to support the Akron Pride Festival and Equity March and encourage county residents to join us in celebrating our LGBTQ+ family, friends and neighbors on August 28.”
