During the spring and summer, Bike Shop has the privilege of impacting hundreds of youth, young adults, and families! Every individual we engage with has a unique experience with Bike Shop.
Some visit to earn a bike or fulfill their required volunteer hours and never return. Others dedicate many, many hours of work to earn two, maybe even three bikes, becoming “fixtures” slowly taking on more responsibility around the Bike Shop.
One “fixture” is Laevon. He was present throughout the 2022 Bike Shop season and went out of his way to assist many individuals much younger than himself. His dedication is impressive and worthy of celebration!
Although Laevon had only been coming to Bike Shop for about a year, he showed tremendous growth, positively impacted his peers and experienced so much, beyond fixing bikes.
For Laevon, Bike Shop represents more than just earning, repairing, and building bikes. It is truly about building up the individual – as a young man of faith, as a student, and as a cyclist! Our focus is on the individuals volunteering or earning a bike, so that they may one day build up a better tomorrow.
Laevon has many Bike Shop memories. His favorite Bike Shop memory is when he received a gold DK Cygnus BMX bike. This was special because the bike was from a personal collection and different from our traditional Bike Shop stock. Laevon and his beloved bike, affectionately named Goldilocks, have become inseparable.
One of my favorite Bike Shop memories is the first time I witnessed Laevon positively interacting with a younger individual. They worked tirelessly together to fix this young lady’s bike; a task Laevon voluntarily took on without being asked or instructed.
I was, and continue to be, thoroughly impressed by Laevon’s initiative that day! I have no doubt that this trait will serve him well in his future endeavors. When asked about the future, Laevon said, “I will be around the Bike Shop this summer and would love to own a business or car dealership.”
It’s exciting to see the passion and ambition that Laevon possesses for his future journey!
There is a bridge being built over Summit Lake.
Over the last seven years an exciting influx of activity has activated and developed the civic and social spaces along the eastern and western lakefronts of Summit Lake. Through the collective efforts of Akron Civic Commons and with the support of a myriad of funders, a loop trail is being constructed around the full lake.
The designs of The Ohio & Erie Canalway Summit Lake Trail also include new community spaces on the northern shore of Summit Lake and a bridge that connects the existing Akron Community Center to the new spaces!
For the South Street team, this has been an exciting project to support and partner with! We’ve spent years working with neighbors, bringing kids and families to community events, and gathering in fellowship, fun, and faith around the Summit Lake Community Center.
But Bridge-Building is no easy task. Abutments are constructed deep into the land to connect the bridge to the ground. Cement needs to be set and steel needs to be conditioned. Bridge-Building takes time and expertise.
I visited the construction site on a recent picturesque day (which is fairly erratic in Akron) and reflected on the work being done on the site and in the community. The abutments were set on both sides of the pass, waiting for the next phase of bridge engineering and construction. The expected completion date of the trail is sometime this summer.
And what of the community?
The bridge connects the eastern (Summit Lake) side of the lake to the western (Kenmore) and invites two neighborhoods to further connect. Bridge-Building takes time and expertise.
Additionally, the work of Bridge-Building with people, with neighbors, with community takes love.
South Street Ministries brings the love to community Bridge-Building. Encouraging parents of RICH Kids to get connected with support and community. Connecting with youth over basketball. Building bikes and planning trail rides. Walking and working with those coming home from incarceration. Sitting, walking, laughing, and lamenting with neighbors. Connecting folks and families to faith communities and sharing the love of God as the source of all love.
There is a bridge being built throughout Summit Lake – taking the love and labors of a team of ministers, leaders, and neighbors to see a community restored together.
We launched Bridge Builders internally as a South Street effort to honor and expand those who financially support the ministry with regular and recurring gifts. Candidly, those gifts are the life-blood of our work. When grants wane, when civic reimbursements take too long, the consistent support of the Bridge Builder community keeps South Street running as an organization and empowers the team to continue in leadership and love!
We invite you to join the Bridge Builders team by supporting South Street Ministries with consistency. And for those of you that already do, THANK YOU for being the bridge that connects our community in fun, fellowship, and faith.
Click HERE to learn more and become a Bridge Builder today.
When Donovan Harris shares about Reentry, he will speak of the 3 R’s to an individual successfully returning home from incarceration: Reentry, Redirection, and Restoration.
Redirection is the process of changing thinking, lifestyles, and habits. It is a personal and community process towards change. Restoration is the end-goal of reentry. The goal is that returning citizens become restored citizens who move towards the goals of life: family, home, business, and faith.
The Restoration House has been through a process of change. In the last month alone, flooring, counter tops, sinks, toilets, and water-damaged electric panels have been replaced. And the house nears its end-goal to become an emergency/transitional shelter and drop-in center for justice-involved women.
South Street is actively ‘shopping’ for furnishings and household items for Restoration House. Please consider providing a donation towards our Amazon Wishlist to help us make this end-goal?
Find out how you can help get what’s next on our list below!
RICH Kids is excited to begin our summer iteration and would love to welcome past, current, and new volunteers to serve alongside us!
Our RICH Kids students enjoy learning and playing with members of our community. We are looking for volunteers willing to help students make learning and playing fun and exciting, and possibly join us for field trips.
A regular day at RICH Kids will include snacks, education stations, free time, and a rotation of enrichments.
Some examples of enrichment at RICH Kids include Bible Block and cooking. During Bible Block, staff members explain morals and values through the stories in the Bible. This summer will also be filled with Fun in the Sun Days. These days we will throw regular curriculum and schedules out the window and introduce students to fun and educational opportunities in Akron, Cleveland, and other areas throughout the state. Students will learn about science, American and Akron history, theater, and nature. These experiences will include the Akron Zoo, Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Akron Children’s Museum, and many more!
We will also introduce students to the resources available through Akron’s Main Library. They will learn about getting books, accessing computers, 3D printing options, green screens, and other resources available through TechZone at Akron’s Main Library.
Serving with us is easy! Just complete our volunteer application to get started! We look forward to working with you and our community to provide unique opportunities for our students.
First Fridays just got a whole lot better with the launch of Kenmore First Fridays – an electrifying community event designed for the entire family! Join hundreds of residents and visitors on Kenmore Boulevard (between 13th and 16th Streets) from 6pm – 9pm, and enjoy the best music, delicious food, local vendors and more! From engaging activities for children to interactive entertainment for all ages, this event promises to be a great time for everyone!
Plus, South Street Cycles will be on site sharing bikes for family rides!
Don’t miss this unforgettable event that will only bring you closer to those in our community! Click HERE to learn more and check out some of the featured vendors.
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!