South Street came into my life during a beautiful time of change and has turned into an amazing place to love and be loved in countless ways.
I began volunteering in January with the after-school program, and then I was quickly brought on staff in June to assist throughout the summer for youth engagement … and have loved it all.
With RICH Kids, I have the privilege of assisting the team in finding ways to get the kids engaged and experiencing something they enjoy — from field games and field trips to cooking classes, fun ways to read, and even Bible lessons that share how Christ is FOR them!
As part of this program, we recently went on a trip with the children to Firestone Park’s Splash Pad. We were poured into by Pastor Fischer at her church across from the splash pad. She led the kids in singing songs and playing around on stage before running around outside for a water-gun fight! An outing so simple became a time that was filled with pockets of love for each of us.
In addition to RICH Kids, I’m joining Chris at Bike Shop. Although I have much to learn when it comes to fixing anything on a bike, Chris’s patience and joy are absolutely contagious when assisting everyone along the way. At the Tuesday Summit Lake Farmers Market, we provide free bike rentals and information for anyone in need of help.
One particular evening, Chris had to leave for an event; even though I’m normally just assisting, he trusted me enough to stay and maintain the stand with his wife and daughter. Everything was going fine until I realized a child who’d borrowed a bike was still gone, and her mom was unaware of her whereabouts. Thankfully, several of our local Bike Shop boys were hanging around, so I asked them to jump on bikes and see if they could find the young girl. Without hesitation, they dispersed and found the child. What could’ve been a nightmare was prevented thanks to the willingness of the Bike Shop boys.
I share this story to acknowledge the relationships I’ve established with Bike Shop. These boys owed me nothing, yet their big hearts resulted in helping. As a thank-you, we took them to breakfast and had a fantastic time joking around and creating memories in the realest way.
The kids continue to be the reason I have joy in this work. Serving alongside everyone at South Street continues to show me ways I can be relational and present with this community. As we continue into summer, I look forward to the unknown and unpredictable ways I get to learn, love, and be loved alongside amazing people and amazing families that trust us enough to care for their children!
Your prayers and support for South Street Ministries — and all the outreaches and programs that entails — keeps staff and volunteers serving our neighbors and loving our community with the love of God.
It has been our joy to work with so many partners to see the Morgan Park build in South Akron turned into a reality! But the greatest joy is letting our youth tell their stories … watch them share about the park here!
We also had the privilege of working with amazing volunteers from around Greater Akron. Here’s what our friends from CarMax had to say:
“CarMax is proud to partner with local communities where we live and work to provide access to playspaces for children who need them,” said Jason Ancarrow, president of The CarMax Foundation. “It’s exciting to help bring a playground to life that was designed by and for the Akron community, and our associates are energized by volunteering together and alongside the families that will enjoy the playgrounds for years to come.”
South Street is thrilled at the progress we’ve made at Morgan Park — and it’s because of the investment — of time, treasure, and otherwise — from friends like you. Thank you!
We are excited for our 10th anniversary of Trails N Rails this year … and you are warmly invited to get involved somehow, some way!
You can:
However you choose to participate, come out for a morning of exercise and enjoyment while raising funds to support a ministry that is changing the lives of today’s South Akron and Summit Lake communities!
Philippians 1:6 — “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
When I first started working with Reentry, Donovan Harris told me, “Be prepared to get your heart broken.” Candidly, it has happened as I have walked alongside folks who have experienced setbacks in their journey — relapse, fired from jobs, physical altercations, domestic violence, cuffed back from a correction-based unit to prison, reoffending.
Despite this, I have the honor of serving alongside a group of ministers who do not lose heart over the challenges that come with mentoring returning citizens on their Reentry-Redirection-Restoration journey. We at South Street Ministries do not lose faith; we are confident that the Lord who began a good work will complete it!
For me, Restoration House is a metaphor for Reentry Services. There have been times over the last year and half that I have seen immense obstacles to completing Restoration House. But I knew with the Lord on our side this work would be completed just as He is faithful to complete the work He is doing in the lives of individuals in Reentry.
And I am grateful to report that we are nearing completion! Praise God — our contractors have finished their renovations. On our June 3rd Serve Day, we had valued volunteers who installed fire and CO2 detectors, stained baseboards, completed touch-ups, dusted off surfaces, cleaned bathrooms and kitchens, and installed a beautiful flowerbed. Rahab Ministries and many supporters have generously given us donations of furniture, appliances, and household goods to help us toward the goal of opening Restoration House to serve justice-involved women with emergency/transitional housing and a drop-in center with laundry and shower facilities, case management, and supportive programming.
I look forward to the time when I will be able to report a ribbon-cutting day to friends like you — who have prayed, given, and served — to help complete this good work, Restoration House.
For now, we need your continued help to complete this good work! We still need several items on our Amazon Wishlist. Please prayerfully consider contributing to our project to concrete the driveway at 801 Grant Street with additional parking for staff as Porchlight continues to draw folks into The Front Porch. May God bless you!
In college, I was a Communication Studies student. I spent a lot of time looking at visual communication.
One of the best advertisements I ever analyzed was a CAT Heavy Equipment advert. It showed a skillful operator rolling and balancing an egg with the bucket teeth. In the text, the operator went on to describe his relationship with the equipment, stating that the task pictured was actually very easy because the bucket was simply an extension of his hand.
One evening when talking about bikes at Bike Shop, Kerik said, “The bike has become a part of me.”
Instantly I was hooked!
Kerik was connected to South Street as a returning citizen. He needed a bike for transportation to class, court, and throughout the community. We were able to work with him to receive a bike through community service hours.
Kerik reflected on his childhood, prefacing the conversation by telling me he was a rebel, describing an event that occurred when he was eight years of age:
One sunny day he skipped school, liberated his sister’s red 10-speed, and proceeded to tour the city of Kent, Ohio. Later he told me that it was an experience he would never forget.
Kerik followed that statement with the following sentiments when asked about the details of a recent ride:
Riding bikes to me is just actually fun. The other day I rode down the 13th Street hill in Kenmore and just had the feeling of — wow! I didn’t have a care in the world.
Riding down that hill — hands free. It was like, I was that little boy again. Riding around on that bicycle, I was as free as a bird.
It gave me calmness and peacefulness, man. It was just so therapeutic to get on that bike and roll down the hill. Not having a care in the world for the 30 seconds that it was. I just felt relaxed and free. The wind in my hair …
I love nature. I could still hear the birds chirping over the hum of the tires. Glancing at the landscape as I rolled down the hill, it all blended together. I could enjoy nature; I was talking to God rolling down the hill; I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
I was riding with no hands! It was like second nature. In that 30 seconds everything was perfect …
But aside from being fun and spiritual, the bike has enabled me to save money and provided me with some flexibility that I had not experienced prior. Utilizing public transportation can be difficult. Especially for someone on a schedule.
Having a bike has enabled me, in some instances, to travel from point A to point B under my own power. Giving me greater control of my schedule and affairs.
Kerik is now a student at Ashland University. He is majoring in Communication Studies with a double minor in Sociology and Religious Studies. I am a Kent State Communication Studies graduate.
On the night of this discussion, Kerik and I met at the library in Kenmore to discuss this semester’s class selections and some study strategies. His bike enabled him to get there.
The Bike Shop at South Street Ministries extends far beyond the bike. Our true focus is the needs and aspirations of the individual earning or wanting a bike. The bike is often nothing more than a tool that makes the necessary conversations possible.
Can you visualize Kerik riding down that hill, hands free, talking to God?
Thank you for making joy like this possible through your partnership with South Street!
Throughout the pandemic, with various seasons of working from home or lockdowns, I began to walk the South Akron neighborhood more and more. One of my favorite loops took me around the Summit County Jail.
During those walks, I witnessed a unique conversation unfold:
Signs and balloons would be tied to the fences across the street from the jail. Messages of love and support would be written on large posterboards with balloons and streamers …
- “We love you!”
- “We miss you.”
My next walk would reveal the signs had been taken down, with only a few streamers and ribbons evident of their existence. My walk after that would show a new sign along a different section of fencing — once again expressing love and support for someone on the inside.
And once again, some time later, the sign would be removed leaving only strands of ribbon.
Eventually a new sign was posted. This time along the jail’s high fencing …
“NO COMMUNICATION WITH INMATES”
In bold capital letters.
In defiance of the dictate, the banners and balloons persisted for a few more weeks until the Ohio weather chilled, and the signs were removed time and time again.
Today, only the prison’s signs remain, as well as a few cords and scraps of ribbon.
I often think of these signs as two tales of Reentry — one voicing love and support, the other articulating punishment and control.
I don’t draft this reflection to disparage the Summit County Jail. They are our neighbors, and we love them. But we do need to be reminded not to dismiss the voice of love and support for those in prison.
After all, it was Jesus who voiced, “I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
I’m grateful for your partnership — for the fact that you’re standing with returning citizens, looking after them as they reconnect with their communities, and helping them on their journey into restoration!
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!