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As Embracing Futures marks its 80-year anniversary, the nonprofit is celebrating decades of improving accessibility to orthodontic care for children and increasing dental education in elementary schools across Northeast Ohio.
Serving Stark, Summit, Portage, Medina and Wayne counties, Embracing Futures’ Orthodontic Care Program provides financial assistance for children with orthodontic issues when their families or insurance companies are unable to cover the cost of braces and care.
While crooked teeth can be obvious, children often quietly carry the emotional baggage of being socially stigmatized or bullied— resulting in lack of confidence and low self-esteem. Worse, teeth left untreated may lead to periodontal disease which can increase the risk for conditions like coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other health issues.
In collaboration with more than 20 local orthodontic offices, its core Orthodontic Care Program provides braces and addresses potential health problems associated with jaw and tooth misalignment issues for children from low-income families that have been turned down by Medicaid.
The partners work together to identify a child, diagnose the problem, verify and validate the need, meet with the family and finance the costs directly with the chosen orthodontic office until treatment is successfully complete.
“I’ve had the opportunity to see the difference that happens when a child who has struggled with their smile finally gets access to orthodontic care,” said Amber Genet Barkoukis, Embracing Futures executive director. “The transformation is about so much more than straight teeth. You see a child become more confident. You see them smile in photographs. You see them become more comfortable interacting with other children.”
In 2025, 48 children completed their orthodontic care, 101 were receiving treatment and 49 were approved for future care.
Embracing Futures’ secondary initiative is the Dr. Milton Rubin Oral Health Education Program, a school-based educational class for children, taught by professionals, that introduces and explains the importance of oral hygiene and eating healthy.
“We are addressing both sides of the equation, helping children who already have significant dental needs while also educating younger children so they have the knowledge and tools to prevent those problems in the first place,” said Genet Barkoukis.
For this milestone year, Embracing Futures set a goal to reach 80 schools and review 80 children for treatment in 2026—expanding both its visibility and impact. Already, the education program has exceeded this goal and 83 schools have been visited.
“We want to reach more children, connect with more schools and make sure families and community partners understand that Embracing Futures is here when children have significant dental and orthodontic needs,” said Genet Barkoukis.
To celebrate its anniversary, Embracing Futures is hosting Rise and Smile on World Smile Day to honor its 80 years of service and the orthodontists, schools, donors, volunteers, board members and community partners who have supported its mission.
“As Executive Director, I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of this legacy,” said Genet Barkoukis. “When you look at 80 years, you realize this organization has been part of the lives of generations of families throughout Northeast Ohio. What makes me most proud is that while our organization has evolved, our purpose has remained the same: helping children have healthier smiles and brighter futures.”
On Oct. 2 from 7:30 - 9 a.m. at House Three Thirty in Akron, the Rise and Smile event will honor Dr. John H. Gerstenmaier Jr., DDS, with the inaugural Legacy of Smiles Award in recognition of his longstanding commitment to children and oral health in the community.
Embracing Futures is looking forward to the children and families it will continue to support in the future.
“Ultimately, Embracing Futures will be here for the next 80 years—and we want future generations to know that if a child needs access to orthodontic care, Embracing Futures is there to help,” said Genet Barkoukis.
Learn more about Embracing Futures and Rise and Smile at embracingfuturesinc.org.