AKRON, Ohio — An Akron-based academic mentoring program is now at risk of closure.

“If SWAG were to close, it would be like separating a family,” said Jania Knaff.

A home away from home is what Students With A Goal has become for 13-year-old Knaff.

“When you look at SWAG, some people just look at it as another thing to help the kids. But like, SWAG is deep, it’s emotional, it’s mental. We’re doing stuff that we wouldn’t have the opportunities to do if we didn’t have this program,” said Knaff.

Even 16-year-old Stephawn Muhammad said he feels safe to learn and grow when he’s around his SWAG family.

“I came in here knowing that I wanted to become a chef when I get older, and then they introduced me and gave me different opportunities,” said Muhammad.

The opportunities Knaff and Muhammad

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