We want to thank all who have kept us in their thoughts and those who have reached out to see if recent announcements at the federal level have impacted us. As a nonprofit, bipartisan organization, it is our responsibility to remain unbiased and continue to lead with the good of those we serve at the forefront. Thus, I am sharing this summary of our current activities with you—our community resource partners, supporters, and friends. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.
We want to reassure our community that we continue to serve you in many ways, including:
Advocacy: We will visit Washington, D.C., from February 18 to 21 for our Global Ties US National Meeting. There, we will advocate for the amazing opportunities of citizen diplomacy through the International Visitor Leadership Program and its interactions with our local Community Resource Partners.
International Exchange: While final funds from a 2024 federal grant will be delayed, we continue communicating and submitting proposals for 2025 professional leadership exchanges to bring economy and connections to Greater Akron. We also use this time to build our alum database to streamline continued connections with our international visitors.
Global Education and Training: Since January 1, 2025, we have served nearly 140 Akron Public School students through our Know Your Community, Know Your World program, funded through local foundation grants and individual donor dollars.


We also continue to engage with international students and have active college interns who help with our international exchange work, social media, Global Threads Boutique, and other organizational needs.
Social Enterprise – Global Threads Boutique: For February, our boutique, located in the Northside Marketplace, offers a 40% discount on highlighted international artisan Safia Assimiwu (pictured below) from Accra, Ghana. Please stop by the shop to support our global artrepreneur partner, and our Global Education and Training programs, through proceeds earned with each purchase!
Passport to Wine and Dine Annual Gala: We are planning our annual event, including international foods and wines from all seven continents. The event will be held on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at House Three Thirty. Please consider supporting the event through our sponsorship opportunities.
Since day one, our mission has been to build bridges, or connections, between the Greater Akron community and the world. We are committed to continuing this work. Please consider giving an unrestricted financial gift to help us during these federal budgeting delays and the increased need for local programs that support our partners and peer organizations with funds under scrutiny. Your generosity today will continue to ensure that our services are stable during this time of uncertainty.