The world needs more smiles.
One grin at a time, Embracing Futures is brightening the planet.
The Akron nonprofit group is transforming the lives of underserved children in Summit, Stark, Portage, Medina and Wayne counties by giving financial assistance for orthodontic care and offering oral health education for elementary school students.
“In its simplest form, our primary program is providing orthodontics for low-income families in the five-county service area,” Executive Director Amber Genet Barkoukis said.
The Orthodontic Care Program provides braces for children suffering from severe orthodontic problems who live in a poor or working poor family situation but have been turned down by Medicaid.
Referrals can come from many sources, including parents, school nurses, counselors and community members who are aware of the program.
After a child is referred for treatment, the charity has a network of 13 orthodontists at 24 partner offices. In 2024, it approved 47 children for care.
“These families never see a bill,” Barkoukis said. “We take care of the exam fees, and once they’re approved through our board, the orthodontist direct-bills us.”
Program for third graders
Dr. Milton Rubin’s Oral Health Education Program is a professionally taught class for elementary schools about the importance of oral health and healthy eating.
Last school year, 4,500 children took the class, which is offered free to any third grade classroom in the region. Income is not a factor.
“It’s a really fun, interactive presentation,” Barkoukis said. “We have puppets with large toothbrushes. We do a display where we stick a kid’s hand in pudding and say, ‘OK, this is your teeth.’ We wipe it down and say, ‘That’s brushing.’ Then we take a piece of yarn and we floss.”
Third grade is an ideal time to reach children because they have a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth.
“It’s a really good opportunity to teach kids about how to take care of their teeth and the importance of understanding that they only get one set of permanent teeth,” she said.
It can be a little eye-opening going into certain school systems and hearing children say they don’t have their own toothbrush or they’ve been using the same toothbrush for a really long time, Barkoukis said.
“The teachers really appreciate us coming in and interacting with the students,” she said.
The group works with Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron Dental Society and Stark State College to ensure that it is presenting up-to-date materials.
Each child receives a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, toothbrush calendar, worksheets and disclosing tablets
“Disclosing tablets are fun,” she said. “The kids chew them and they show you everywhere in your mouth where you haven’t brushed.”
Dental plaque appears a bright pink until the kids brush. That’s always good for giggles in the classroom.
Beacon Journal Charity Fund
Embracing Futures dates back to 1946 when newspaper publisher John S. Knight and other civic leaders established the Beacon Journal Charity Fund. The group changed its name in 2013 to better describe its mission.
Braces, bracing, embracing. Get it?
“I think it’s a catchy name,” said Barkoukis, who has served as executive director for nearly a year.
The nonprofit group is one of 35 organizations receiving a total of $60,200 in grants this year through the Millennium Fund for Children, a partnership of the Akron Beacon Journal and the Akron Community Foundation. Since the Millennium Fund launched in 1999, it has distributed more than $1 million in grants to local groups that benefit children in the region.
The Millennium Fund awarded Embracing Futures a $2,000 grant for its oral health education program. Total budget for program is $30,000.
This school year, the goal is to see 6,000 students. And in 2026, the charity’s 80th anniversary, the group hopes to teach 8,000 kids.
Embracing Futures understands that children who are self-conscious about their teeth may shy away from participating in school or other social activities. With proper oral hygiene, they can experience improved confidence and self-esteem.
Donations are welcome
The organization has $344,700 in budgeted expenses for the project year. Its major funding sources are foundations (62%), investments (30%), individuals (4%), endowment (2%) and corporations (2%).
There is a staff of four. Assisting the executive director are case investigator Jennifer Film and oral health instructors Anna Film and Kristen Ledman.
Donations are welcome. There’s a PayPal option at the group’s website or donors can make checks payable to Embracing Futures Inc., 50 S. Main St., Suite LL100, Akron, OH 44308.
“To do a class, it costs $100,” Barkoukis said. “We like that it’s a round number. For $100, somebody can actually provide this program to a third grade classroom.”
For more information, visit or call 330-253-7700.
The world needs more smiles.
Mark J. Price can be reached at [email protected]
