The mission of the Canton Black Assistance Foundation (CBAF) is to help children improve their reading and comprehension skills through education, encouragement, and community support.
While literacy is our primary mission, we recognize that our community faces challenges that extend beyond the classroom.
Canton is a city where a crisis can happen at any time, affecting individuals and families when they need help the most. Too often, the community's response has been limited to anger, outrage, marches, protests, prayers, and, on occasion, legal action. While these responses can raise awareness, they do not always provide the financial assistance or practical support needed to help victims rebuild their lives.
For many years, Canton has lacked a Black-led community foundation dedicated to addressing these needs. Other Ohio cities, including Cleveland, Akron, Columbus, and Cincinnati, have established Black foundations that serve their communities through advocacy, support, and investment.
The Canton Black Assistance Foundation was initially created to respond to community crises. As our Board of Directors and Recommendation Committee began shaping the organization's future, we recognized the importance of focusing our efforts where we could make the greatest long-term impact.
Today, our primary focus is investing in our children through the Breakfast & Books Literacy Program, helping young people strengthen their reading, comprehension, cognitive thinking, social, and emotional skills. At the same time, we remain committed to supporting our community whenever opportunities arise to make a meaningful difference.
We believe that by investing in our children today, we are building stronger families, stronger neighborhoods, and a brighter future for generations to come.
The FRESH START Program was created to help first-time single-parent offenders by paying some or all of their court fines. Through a partnership with Phil Giavasis, Clerk of Courts for the City of Canton, the program was designed to help eligible parents have their driver's licenses reinstated, allowing them to return to work, provide for their families, and regain stability.
Following the passage of Ohio House Bill 29, which ended the practice of suspending driver's licenses for many unpaid court fines and fees, the need for the program changed, and the FRESH START Program was discontinued.
The Breakfast & Books Literacy Program
Today, the Canton Black Assistance Foundation's primary focus is the Breakfast & Books Literacy Program.
The program serves students in grades 2–5, providing a nutritious breakfast once each month while helping children strengthen their reading and comprehension skills through mentoring, educational activities, and literacy-based instruction.
We believe that a child's success begins with a strong support system. That's why parents are an important part of the program. While their children are learning, parents participate in discussion groups and workshops focused on topics such as parenting skills, health and wellness, and other resources that strengthen families.
Our long-term vision is to establish Breakfast & Books program sites throughout the city, ensuring children and families in every neighborhood have access to quality literacy programming, mentorship, and community support.
Building readers. Strengthening families. Transforming communities.
Current Program Sites
The Breakfast & Books Literacy Program is currently serving children and families at the following locations:
- Union Baptist Church – 413 Cornelia Ave. NE
- Zion's Temple – 1103 7th St. NE
- St. Paul's AME Church – 1800 East Tuscarawas St. SE
- Jesus Speaks Ministries – 1103 McKinley Ave. NW
- Mt. Zion Church of God in Christ – 1208 Sherrick Rd. SE
As our partnerships continue to grow, we look forward to expanding the program to additional locations throughout the City of Canton.
1–5 Year Action Plan
The Canton Black Assistance Foundation is committed to building a strong and sustainable organization that will serve our community for generations to come. Our goals for the next one to five years include:
- Generate $100,000 in revenue to ensure long-term financial stability.
- Strengthen and expand our Board of Directors and Recommendation Committee.
- Develop partnerships with businesses, churches, organizations, and individuals who share our mission.
- Increase community awareness through strategic branding, marketing, and promotional events.
- Support and collaborate with other nonprofit organizations to strengthen our community.
- Expand the Breakfast & Books Literacy Program to reach more children and families across Canton.
- When feasible, restore and fund the FRESH START Program or other emergency assistance initiatives to provide grants and immediate support to individuals and families facing unexpected hardships.
Secondary Mission
Status: Pending
As resources and community needs evolve, the Canton Black Assistance Foundation will continue to evaluate opportunities to expand its impact through additional programs and services that strengthen children, families, and the community.
Together, we are building readers, strengthening families, and creating lasting change throughout Canton.