OPEN M was formed in 1968 at a time of poverty, crime, riots and war in an attempt to address injustices of inner city life. Longstanding Akron neighborhoods were being destroyed and businesses were firebombed, looted and damaged. Four churches came together in the chaos to establish an urban ministry in one of Akron’s hardest-hit neighborhoods. The churches used the neighborhood as their parish and  ministered in Opportunity Park, inspiring the name Opportunity Parish Ecumenical Neighborhood Ministry. 

Bob and Sue Ralph took charge of the newly formed ministry with the motto, ‘When I see the face of Christ in the world today, He looks exactly like the person who needs me.’  From the beginning, our focus has been not only to provide for, but also to stand with, people experiencing poverty and oppression.

In early years, churches provided office space for OPEN M and hot meals

were served to the community out of a small house on Princeton Street. The original focus of OPEN M was to provide hot meals and to serve the youth. 

In 1979, OPEN M established a nursing clinic in response to the serious lack of health services for those who could not afford insurance. In 1995, the nursing clinic was transformed into the free Medical Clinic, significantly expanding its services. In 1999 the clinic was consolidated from six different locations into one single facility where it remains today.

Now, OPEN M has more than 2,000 volunteers and many additional Covenant Churches and supporting organizations. Our core purpose remains the same, to feed the hungry, care for the sick and strengthen the community, but our services have greatly expanded.  We offer 3 core services including, Food Services, Health Services and Employment Services and many programs within each department.