South Street Ministries is celebrating 25 years of service and ministry that the organization and the Crabbs family have embodied! Our Open House on the weekend of April 8-9 was a wonderful time of reconnecting with friends and familiar faces who have walked with the ministry over the years!
Thank you for visiting and sharing this celebration with us! Duane and Lisa Crabbs voiced how special and impactful this time together was for them.
One surprise for all of us was a special honor from Summit County — declaring April 8, 2022, “South Street Ministries Day!”
As South Street Reentry Services have increased, we have a fuller presence and partnership in county and state civic roles around justice-involved individuals. The words from the county were affirming and fitting to share with you here:
Proclamation:
Whereas: In 1997 Duane and Lisa Crabbs founded South Street Ministries out of their compassion for their children and their neighbors in the Summit Lake neighborhood of Akron; and
Whereas: In 2008, South Street Ministries formalized its commitment to the physical, social, economic, and spiritual wellbeing of the Summit Lake and greater South Akron community; and
Whereas: This commitment has led to vibrant places and programs that bring people together, such as the Front Porch Cafe, Summit County Reentry Services, Open Gym, Bike Shop, and the RICH Kids EnRICHment program; and
Whereas: These place and programs have especially impacted young people, cultivating “justice, peace, and love” among youth that will themselves become strong and dedicated community members, neighbors, friends; and
Whereas: South Street Ministries continues to evolve and expand their work to meet the needs of the neighborhood, thereby inspiring others to take up the mantle of responsibility and invest in their community; now
Therefore: I, Ilene Shapiro, Summit County Executive, do hereby proclaim Friday, April 8th, 2022, to be
“South Street Ministries Day”
in Summit County and encourage all citizens to recognize the contributions this outstanding organization has made to our community and congratulate South Street Ministries staff and volunteers as they observe their 25th anniversary.
As our anniversary year continues, the South Street team is excited to embark on a summer of ministry, see continued growth and impact through South Street Reentry Services, and finish the renovation of Restoration House!
To God be the glory, great things He has done!!
Thank YOU for standing with us through your prayers and partnership!
In honor of 25 years, we want to highlight the people who have come alongside us in ministry — both equipping and inspiring the restoration of community, economy, and faith.
Today we get to honor Tom Fuller!
Tom first heard about the Crabbs family’s commitment to the Summit Lake Community in 2000. He was inspired to learn about what they were doing and even told others about it …
“I praised the ministry work in conversation with others I interacted with while operating the Alpha Homes housing just north of the Summit Lake neighborhood, but I never met Duane and Lisa. One day I decided to call the South Street Ministries office to arrange a meeting with the couple I had been talking about for years. When I talked to Duane, he invited me to the 10th Anniversary event at the Church of the Good Shepard. I have been involved since.”
That was in 2007. In the years since, Tom’s been active in helping as a board member, volunteer, and knowledgeable guide in areas of community development.
In this 25th year of ministry for South Street, Tom knows firsthand how invested the staff and volunteers are in uplifting the surrounding community’s individuals and families. This special anniversary shows “a commitment by the Crabbs family to love and care for the residents of Summit Lake in the name of Christ, and by extension all people of goodwill who recognize the value and potential of those considered to be the least of these.”
We’re grateful for Tom and for his heart for making a difference in the Kingdom!
We are very excited to return to a more-normal summer of ministry and service! While still paying close attention to community health and safety, South Street Ministries will be back onsite with Bike Shop and at a new site for RICH Kids this summer!…
Bike Shop
Bike Shop begins Monday, June 6, at 130 W. South St. — running on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. through the summer. For questions about serving with Bike Shop, email Joe Tucker at joe@southstreetministries.org.
Bike Shop will also be at the Summit Lake Farmers’ Market every Tuesday, offering free bike sharing and selling bike pumps and locks. Come visit us!
For all volunteer service, please sign up as a volunteer here!
RICH Kids
This summer, RICH Kids will be at the REACH Opportunity Center (390 W. Crosier St.) beginning June 20 and running for eight weeks every Monday through Thursday from 1 to 3:30 p.m. For questions about serving with RICH Kids, please email Jocelyn Grant at jgrant@southstreetministries.org.
Celebrating 25 years has reminded us just how many friends and partners have served with South Street in some season and fashion. Thank you for serving — and please consider joining us this summer!
Due to the waves of the pandemic, Open Gym was the program hardest hit by cancellations and changes. It came to an abrupt halt in 2020, wasn’t able to run in 2021, and then got off to a late but great start in 2022!
The young men were anxious to return for meals, talks, and basketball, and this season we dove in deep with the theme “Life & …”
We discussed Life & Loss, Life & Faith, Life & Life After, Life & Education, Life & Death.
The challenges and losses of the past few years came to the surface in mentorship, sharing, and, of course, on the basketball court! It is important to remember that as tough as these past few years have been, it has been just as trying if not more so for our young people.
They too have lost family, lost opportunity, lost progress. So our Open Gym theme of “Life & …” has been well received — and it comes from the words of Jesus in John 10: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
It was a joy to share in the abundant life of our young men. We have a core of emerging leaders excited for next season. Some of those participating hadn’t been connected to South Street in two years’ time — so we got to be a witness to their growth in stature, faith, leadership, and basketball skills!
By Joe Tucker
April was a special month for me. I celebrated 10 years of marriage AND 10 years of serving South Street Ministries as Executive Director. Needless to say, I have been doing a great deal of reflection and appreciation this season!
And, as South Street Ministries celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, I am more and more convinced of the substance, depth, love, and ministerial reality of our work!
I reflect on the many partners who have supported us for 25 years of ministry, family, and impact. And as we prepare for significant milestones in 2022, I invite you to consider standing with South Street in the months and years to come.
The Restoration Campaign is a 25th Anniversary drive to sustain and expand our outreaches, serve and equip the vulnerable in our neighborhoods, and strengthen individuals and families in the restoration of community, economy, and faith.
We are striving to raise $130,000 to support the present South Street staff (an AMAZING team of ministers and community leaders!) and to advance the continued community restoration work within South Akron.
I hope you’ll consider stepping forward as a monthly partner today — supporting and empowering the work of RICH Kids, Reentry, Bike Shop, #AdjustTheCrown, Open Gym, and the many ministries of South Street.
Hope is being renewed … lives are being restored … and new doors are opening that allow us to keep making God’s good known on our streets, in our yards, and throughout our communities!
Thank you for your friendship, for 25 years of support, for heartfelt prayers, and for believing in us to renew our communities and to seek the welfare of our city TOGETHER.
It’s now been one month since Porchlight Coffee Co. opened its doors on April 4th within the first floor of the Front Porch … and its official Grand Opening took place May 7!
This partnership — between South Street and a business — is looking to bring revitalization and coffee to the South Akron community and beyond.
- We’ve had the privilege of meeting new neighbors, as local businesses have stopped by Porchlight for a coffee, bagel, or latte.
- We’ve had the desired reconnection with local neighbors and returned accessibility for passers-by looking to connect with the South Street team.
- We’ve returned to morning conversations and warm hospitality.
It’s been beautiful to see and experience … so come check it out if you haven’t had the chance! Porchlight Coffee is open Monday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information on Porchlight Coffee Co., visit them on Facebook or Instagram.
Living in the neighborhood is in the DNA of South Street Ministries!
So we are excited to further the next chapter of community living through the Discipleship House Fellowship.
Starting in June, we will have a team of young adults living and serving in the neighborhood and enacting community and discipleship within their household together.
There is still availability for additional participants within the Discipleship House programming! Click here for more information or to sign up as a Discipleship House Fellow.
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!