Linda Laughlin Williams is a person of commitment. She has known the Crabbs for many years. She’s been involved with South Street since 2006 and has made support for our ministry efforts part of her routine. Her reasoning, her “why,” is below, and why we’re thrilled to spotlight her today. Linda says:

My children and I, and my mom, Barb, attended Sunday services for years [at Summit Lake], and continued to do so when the new building was obtained by South Street. The kids and I donated items to the Bike Shop, and I’ve participated in the Trails N Rails a few times. For many years, my mom donated paper products, plates, cups, and more to South Street. She shopped at Sam’s Club, literally loaded her car — often adding a big tub of Animal Cracker cookies — and dropped it all off on a regular basis to SSM.

In the Fall of 2013, Mom became ill with MRSA, experienced many complications, and had her leg amputated. Soon afterward, she could no longer drive. As her caregiver, I drove her to appointments and such, and when we would shop at Sam’s Club, she remembered South Street. Items were still delivered, but not as often as when she was driving. Mom passed away in February 2020, right before Covid hit. It has been quite a journey of grief and change. Gratefully, I still receive the newsletter from South Street!

My boyfriend Keith and I attended the 25th Anniversary Open House at South Street, and were reconnected immediately with the amazing folks there. We hugged and reminisced, and I mentioned that I would like to continue to donate items on a regular basis in my mom’s honor. That set the ball rolling for phone calls and emails with Elizabeth, and planning with her, Rose, and Joe.

Knowing Lisa and Duane Crabbs for all of these years, feeling their love for God and for others, and being a part of South Street Ministries means that we have been, and are BLESSED! Our choice to in turn bless local community members with helpful donations keeps us connected to South Street — and to Mom. Keeping her spirit alive through her legacy of loving people unconditionally and lifelong generosity fills our hearts. Thank you for being a place where we can share that! Our faith continues to grow by being a part of this community!

The partnership and investment of friends like Linda and her family are something we don’t take for granted. THANK YOU for using your blessings to bless others!

By Kevin Bybee

What does reentry look like? We’ll let Kevin Bybee tell you his story firsthand:

I would like to thank God for all the blessings He bestowed upon me … from where I came from — a place of hopelessness, despair, and adversity — to where I am today.

I was released from Richland Correctional Facility in December of 2021 with nowhere to go. I was living out of my car, couch-surfing from pillow to post. After serving five years in prison, outside everything had changed. But the streets … the streets remain the same.

I vowed that I would not go back to that. But being homeless for almost a year, I wasn’t making progress. I was able to get back and forth to meetings and mental health appointments. But I wasn’t making progress.

It wasn’t until I was told to contact South Street Ministries … and that phone call changed my life. I spoke with Shawn Bonner, and I felt our conversation had a sense of genuineness. Shawn promised that he and South Street would help me. Truthfully, I didn’t believe him at first, but he asked if I would be willing to put in some work, and I agreed to meet with the Citizen’s Circle.

I shared my full story there, and today I am gainfully employed, with my own place, and am able to exercise my profession as a barber! Without the help of South Street Ministries, I would probably be back on my way to prison. I am thankful for the program and the South Street team.

Kevin pays it forward every Thursday, offering free haircuts to the community at The Front Porch. He is also supporting the team by helping drive the South Street vans!

We’re grateful for Kevin, for God’s restoring power in his life, and for your part in making his journey possible. It is a joy to see community and ministry at work!

As 2022 comes to a close, I invite you to take a look with me at some of the highlights from our 25 Anniversary year:

1. Porchlight — In April 2022, Porchlight Coffee Co. opened its doors as a new partner business at The Front Porch! Business has been booming — Porchlight runs Monday through Saturday from 7am-3pm, bringing back hospitality, gathering, and conversations over coffee to The Front Porch site!
2. RICH Kids — South Street Ministries tried something new in 2022: On Mondays and Wednesdays, RICH Kids would meet at McEbright CLC for the program. This site included new partnerships with the University of Akron’s Center for Literacy and continued the dynamic enrichment facilitators leading Bible Block, Mental Health, Nutrition, and Art. It was amazing to be fully back in person with our youth!
3. Discipleship House — June 2022 saw the launch of Discipleship House! David Shahata oversaw the creation and rollout of a Summit Lake house committed to community living, Christian discipleship, and neighborhood service. Discipleship House continues to bring young adults into the growing good of South Street Ministries!
4. CCDA — Fifteen friends, family, and South Street folks attended the Christian Community Development Association conference in Charlotte, NC. This gathering of CCD practitioners from across the country encouraged and challenged the South Street team.
5. Sabbatical & Rest — The theme of the CCDA Conference was Wellbeing — a theme that has held true for the South Street team this year as well. Our founder, Lisa Crabbs, took a sabbatical over the summer months and has encouraged and led the South Street team to live and minister in rhythms of rest and wellness.
6. Reentry THRIVES — This year has brought South Street Reentry services to a dynamic place of team and ministry! The addition of Rose Nall and Bahote “Luch” Griffin to the team has sustained women’s ministry and created new avenues of young adult engagement and violence prevention. Every day the Reentry team connects returning citizens to resources, community, employment, housing, and faith.
7. South Street Ministries Day — We hosted our 25th Anniversary in April, honoring our founders’ commitment to ministry in the Summit Lake neighborhood. South Street Ministries was honored by Summit County, and the weekend hosted visits and well-wishes from friends and family from all of South Street’s history!
8. I PICK ME — A new program was created this year through the collaboration of Jocelyn Grant, Riley Alchier, and the Reentry team: an engagement program for young men to step into mentoring and development through the sharing and leadership of Donovan Harris, LaMarr Atchison, and Shawn Bonner. I PICK ME is now running weekly at Akron Career Tech with 20+ high school students participating!
9. Restoration House — After years of planning and prayer, 2022 brought the long-awaited renovation project to 801 Grant St. Restoration House is underway and being transformed into a drop-in center for Women’s Reentry support. We are so thankful for the many supporters and partners who have donated to help move this construction project forward!
10. Heart To Serve — South Street hosted the second Heart To Serve gathering in May to celebrate our appreciation for YOU, every supporter, partner, volunteer, and friend. The evening was a warm and wonderful gathering that honored volunteers who had given above and beyond for the work of South Street Ministries!

We have a lot to celebrate!

We are wholeheartedly grateful for your support — and thankful for an amazing and full year of ministry, transformation, and growth. Celebrate with us as we close this hallmark year!