By Jocelyn Grant
What kind of neighbor do I want to be?
When I conceptualized South Street’s “A Heart to Serve” event for the first time, four years ago, I prayed and felt it was imperative to show love to our volunteers, supporters, and community partners — they are the lifeblood of our work. Without their contributions, South Street Ministries is an aspiration just out of reach.
Our neighbors make our work possible. With the strength of their hands, the convictions of their hearts, and their generosity in sharing time and financial resources, the many people who support South Street have sustained our work for 25 years.
This time around, in what we hope is the end of a pandemic, we just wanted an opportunity to gather together again and say thank you. Because of you, South Street has had the resources to serve throughout the pandemic and beyond from grocery delivery, youth programming, Reentry services, and more.
The event was well attended, and the food — provided by Dining with Distinction (Randy Culver and staff) — was amazing. The venue, Himelright Lodge, nestled in our local Metropark, was breathtaking. But the icing on our cake was you: our neighbors. To see you, and to thank you, was our pleasure.
So, again, What kind of neighbor do I wish to be? I want to be like the neighbors of South Street Ministries: Helpful, consistent, generous, considerate, and kind. If I can make an effort to embody any of these qualities, then my living will not be in vain.
Thank you, again!
By Elizabeth Kargbo
I am grateful for each friend who is supporting our Restoration House renewal with your prayers, giving, and time.
South Street Ministries is renovating 801 Grant Street to serve as women’s reentry emergency/transitional housing and a drop-in center with a shower and laundry facilities. This property sits across the street from The Front Porch, where Reentry services are provided to the community. Much-needed health and safety improvements are being made to the property to remove lead, asbestos, and black mold.
As I have the privilege of serving as South Street’s Director of Operations & Development, I wanted to share with you a quick update on our progress.
- We are still working with Nazareth Housing to find a contractor to complete professionally licensed lead-abatement renovations.
- We have encountered some delays due to the challenges contractors are experiencing with supply and staff shortages.
- In the meantime, we continue hosting volunteer groups to help us with the process of demolition.
This past Saturday, we had a volunteer group from New Life Church, where I also serve as a staff pastor. We recently committed to partnering with South Street Ministries on an ongoing basis. We had volunteers from both our campuses — including our lead pastor and Aurora campus pastor, Stuart Ross, and our Stow campus pastor, Eric Prior.
This volunteer team completed demolition work on the second-floor kitchen, dark room on the first floor, and a closet on the first floor, and several helped clean up litter and backyard debris. I am thankful for my church’s efforts to help reduce the overall cost of this project.
Would you and/or your church also consider partnering with us for our Restoration Campaign? We have about 73% of the funding raised.
We are grateful for all who are investing in the vision of transformation for the physical house — and for the greater work of spiritual renewal in lives.
“Is Pastor Crabbs around?”
The doors of The Front Porch are open again! Now, a new partner runs the operations behind the counter: Porchlight Coffee Co. operates from 7-3 Monday through Saturday, serving delicious coffee, cookies, scones, and quiche.
And with these open doors come patrons, partners, and neighbors as they visit, work, relax … or inquire if any of the South Street team is around! With more than a decade of community presence, The Front Porch is known as a place of genuine support. So “Is Pastor Crabbs around?” is a common phrase to hear from old friends looking to step toward the next right decision.
In a joyful, developing partnership, Porchlight baristas point to, find, or text the South Street team for answers … and what starts as warm hospitality grows into deep ministry: helping neighbors receive bus passes, housing support, employment connections, or prayer as our faith-community comes together for purposes of restoration.
Furthermore, we’ve begun to dream again, asking things like:
- What is the Spirit of the living God doing in South Akron?
- Who are the next leaders within the Reentry and Recovery communities?
- What does restoration look like down the streets of Grant and South?
Working with partners and South Akron neighbors like Truly Reaching You and ARC (Addicts Recovering in Christ, located next door at Community of Christ Church), a growing movement of co-laborers and collaborators is moving to open our doors, open our hearts, work together, and love our neighborhood as we love ourselves — as our God first loved us.
The future ahead looks bright with the Porchlight on … and we’re grateful for your support!
South Akron Youth Mentorship had a problem …
The youth mentoring program meets at various churches around the south and east sides of Akron, and one room was full of broken bikes donated from the Sheriff’s office.
The SAYM team meets weekly at The Front Porch for their staff meeting, and the broken bikes problem came up with a possible and partnered solution: bring teens and fathers from Portage Lakes Community Church to work alongside SAYM youth and use the South Street Ministries’ mobile bike repair kits to fix as many bikes as possible for the community!
South Street’s Bike Shop began in June, but a precursor event was held in May as three ministry partners converged in a church parking lot to fix some bikes alongside kids, teens, parents, and ministers.
Some worked hard. Others needed redirecting and development. Everyone got their hands greasy … and half the bikes were salvaged!
This was the first iteration of a “mobile bike shop” bringing the tubes and tools to the community through partners and presence. This summer’s Bike Shop will be connecting with neighbors on South Street, at Summit Lake, and in Kenmore.
Loving our neighbor means being present in our neighborhood!
P.S. We can’t wait for this year’s Trails N Rails event! Mark your calendar, spread the word, and save the date for October 8th! Details and registration info to come.
By Bill Downing
Some things in life simply aren’t scripted.
This is one of the many lessons I’ve learned by observing the example set by Duane and Lisa Crabbs — a couple who established South Street Ministries by choosing to take Spirit-led risks.
Their obedience to God and His call on their lives started a ripple effect of good things in our community. Those ripples have touched many lives in Akron in ways that could have never been planned. What they gave to God, He multiplied!
I was recently asked how a former business CEO and South Street Board President ends up as a Cleveland Clinic volunteer doctor. The answer is simple and unscripted: My life is one of those many ripples.
My long journey to earn an Urban Health MD degree was completed on May 7, 2022, and I can’t wait to begin a new chapter of community service with a focus on the medically underserved.
But here is the bottom line — South Street continues to celebrate 25 years of “Unlikely partners taking shared risks to renew our community for Christ’s sake.” I am humbled and honored to be among these unlikely partners — right alongside friends like you!
By Elizabeth Kargbo
I am so very thankful for the partners who support the important ministry taking place at South Street Ministries by following and sharing on social media. If you are not currently connected with us there, here are a few links to help get you started!
South Street Ministries Facebook Account
South Street Ministries Instagram Account
Plus, an additional option for partnering with South Street is through Facebook Fundraisers. Recently, I celebrated a birthday, and I asked those inclined to give me a birthday gift to instead consider giving to South Street Ministries. I am very grateful for those who were able to donate — my friends’ generosity raised $200!
If you would like to set up your own Facebook Fundraiser, click here for directions.
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 celebrating 25 years of making an impact alongside you and the ministry of renewing our community for the sake of Jesus Christ.
Thank you, and God bless you!