Can you believe that South Street’s Bike Shop has been going for more than 20 years and yet, historically, we would rarely actually go on bike rides with youth?!
Between The Front Porch Cafe and other South Street programs, it made for a full schedule … and taking kids on a ride can be a lot of work!
But things are different now: The Cafe’s operations are now (excellently) undertaken by Porchlight Coffee Co. and Bike Shop has its own dedicated leader, Chris Usner!
Last year, Chris was able to pilot youth rides — including mountain biking and long-distance rides, plus he rode regularly in partnership with the Metro Parks — the Summit Lake Nature Center serving as a starting and gathering point for cyclists.
This year, South Street is launching something brand-new — South Street Cycles! Bike Shop will continue to receive donated bicycles and work with youth to repair and earn them, of course. South Street Cycles will coordinate rides with community members and youth.
Plus, this year brings an exciting opportunity — a special partnership between South Street and Summit Metro Parks! We will work alongside Summit Metro Parks staff in facilitating rides and cycling engagements all throughout Summit County. This opportunity extends to a select few Bike Shop adolescents — so they can work as support staff for some of the rides!
So celebrate with us … ride with us … volunteer with us … and continue donating bikes from your garage and neighborhood to support the transformative work of South Street Ministries! Thank you!
Making a ministry difference takes time and presence!
Ministry moments can — and often — happen as one-time or random occurrences, but generally real-Gospel, life-changing impact takes time and presence.
The staff and volunteers of South Street Ministries know this well — it is in the long-running consistency of RICH Kids, Bike Shop, and Reentry that reading is supported, character is developed, faith is formed, and lives are transformed.
Volunteers play a personal role in making this impact with and through South Street Ministries … would you consider serving with us this season?
- RICH Kids runs Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 17 through August 15! Consider serving once a week or working with our team to organize a week of onsite support. Contact Kenzie Wash at Kenzie@southstreetministries.org to learn more.
- Bike Shop is Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5:45 to 8 from May to August. Serve with us as we work with youth to repair and earn bicycles — contact Chris Usner at chris@southstreetministries.org to learn more!
- South Street Cycles: We have a whole new ride this summer! South Street Cycles takes the Bike Shop bicycles on the road to community rides, events, and partnerships. This is a great opportunity for one-time service or full-family engagement! Contact Chris at chris@southstreetministries.org to learn more.
- Reentry: Beyond bringing a meal or donating hygiene products, there are a lot of ways to further serve and partner with the Reentry community. Contact riley@southstreetministries.org to schedule a visit and learn more about serving.
Thank you for investing your time AND your treasure in this Kingdom work!
The Front Porch and Porchlight Coffee are often a place of gathering for neighbors and individuals in periods of transition or hardship.
Hospitality and welcoming the stranger are the shared values of the South Street and Porchlight teams … so we’re honored to share one friend’s account of this hospitality and acceptance!
Finding a little beauty and peace at the Front Porch coffee shop. The workers here are amazing, upbeat, and smile to greet you. Making a wonderful cup of joe while you wait for a friend, company, or Chris — the amazing bike guru of Akron, donating his time to provide transportation by bike to anyone in need. They have an outside yard with blocks to sit upon may the weather permit. With words of encouragement such as wisdom, courage, and serenity. This isn’t an ordinary coffee shop; they do outreach also. Providing their time and space to help the community by offering classes and meeting [spaces] to those who seek to help better their lives. Providing hope to those who feel like it’s hopeless. A warm, inviting place where all are welcome — young, old, and middle age. One of the best places in Akron … like a home away from home. The atmosphere is inspiring and so comforting just like being on your own front porch.
—Rachale Button
This is why South Street and Porchlight do what we do. We want to welcome you in like family and encourage you always — whether you need a bike fix or a caffeine fix! Thanks for supporting these efforts at The Front Porch.
An important concept of RICH Kids is discipleship.
We take a smaller group of kids and go a little more in-depth in the Bible as a means to help them start walking with Jesus. This year we’ve introduced a time of one-on-one discipleship by going through a little prayer journal.
One child I am working with, Ty’len, also comes to church from time to time. One recent Sunday, he stayed throughout the service — sitting there and just listening and participating — instead of going to kids church! This is just one example of how these students are hungry and they are asking some good and deep questions!
Thanks to your partnership with South Street, RICH Kids is investing in the hearts and minds of our youth and pointing them to a Heavenly Father who loves them more than they can imagine. We’re grateful for your commitment to the children in our communities!
Check out this special video from Joe Tucker, where he shares about the Bridge Builder culture that’s been fostered daily here at South Street Ministries … and hear his heart.
And, on that note, we’d love to invite you to consider joining us as a Bridge Builder — someone who is committed to connecting communities and individuals to recovery, restoration, helpful resources … and to God’s love. It’s the gift that keeps on giving, as Joe says.
Your investment will put clothes on a neighbor’s back, teach a young lady her own self-worth and strength, help our volunteers and staff reach more of our community in need, and truly so much more!
As a thank-you for becoming a Bridge Builder, let us send Free Rose Light: Stories Around South Street — a book that illustrates the wide-range story of the people and community of South Street Ministries told in the style of the ministry: improvisational, risky, and present.
In the heart of South Akron, where the streets tell stories of resilience and promise of renewal, South Street Ministries stands as a testament to what it means to truly connect and uplift. We’re not just observing change … we’re weaving it into the fabric of our neighborhoods.
Our Bridge Builder campaign is your invitation into this rich tapestry of community support. It’s here, in the give-and-take of support and empowerment, where we see the true strength of our community shine — where those who’ve walked the path of challenges become the guiding light for others on their journey back home.
Together, let’s build a legacy of hope and connection that lasts for generations. Dive into the heart of South Street Ministries with us, and let’s make those bridges of change stronger, together.
If you’d like to get you, your business, or your employer engaged in a wonderful fundraising event for a great cause …
Be sure to “empower every pedal” and become a Trails N Rails sponsor today!
This fun, informative, impactful community event provides a morning of exercise and enjoyment for the entire family — while raising support for the Kingdom work of South Street and serving South Akron and Summit Lake.
Through your sponsorship, your organization will be promoted in the community and to the hundreds of people who will be part of the 11th annual Trails N Rails held Saturday, September 21. Not to mention, you will be investing in our local community and the future of our youth.
Thank you in advance! Your part as a sponsor helps put South Akron on the path to success.
Your prayerful support of South Street Ministries makes caring, compassionate Kingdom work possible.
It is your generous giving that keeps us walking alongside children, families, and neighbors who need hope. Together, we’re making an impact alongside you to renew our community for the sake of Jesus Christ.
Thank you, and God bless you!