South Street Ministries Staff
Joe Tucker
Executive Director
What role do you serve in the ministry?
As Executive Director, Joe runs the South Street team and leads with our community partners. Joe leads the Bike Shop program, as well as leading the full staff in direction, vision, and mission.
What do you want people to know about you?
Joe has been with South Street for 10 years. He has lived in Summit Lake, South Akron, and Firestone Park. Joe’s wife Susan works locally as a physician. They have two boys one daughter and two dogs.
What words of wisdom do you have for people who want to get involved in South Street?
As you step towards South Street Ministries, go in faith, love and grace.
Centering Quote:
The whole book of Philippians — it is my devotional go to!
Shawn Bonner
Director of Community Engagement
What role do you serve in the ministry?
Serving as Director of Community Engagement, Shawn assists our community in the readiness to change by directing our community to engage with each other as residents, organizations, and businesses.
What do you want people to know about you?
I love God and our community. We live for invisible paychecks
What words of wisdom do you have for people who want to get involved in South Street?
Our past does not depict our future. We have the power to reinvent ourselves to be what, or whoever we want to be.
Centering Verse:
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Michael Parisher
Development Director
What role do you serve in the ministry?
As the Development Director, I foster and grow relationships with staff, participants, donors, community partners, and supporting organizations to support the mission, vision, and direction of South Street. I work toward the sustainability of South Street through grant writing, relationship building, strategic planning, and programmatic support.
What do you want people to know about you?
While I am an ordained clergy in the United Methodist Church, I have a degree and experience with business, both domestically and internationally. I have a passion for justice, community restoration, and the health and sustainability of ministries doing the work of faith outside the church walls.
What words of wisdom do you have for people who want to get involved in South Street?
Transformation happens because of those who show up. Be consistent, be grace-filled, and expect God to transform your heart as much as God is transforming the hearts of others.
Centering Verse:
Romans 8:38-39
“I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Chris Usner
Bike Shop Director
What role do you serve in the ministry?
Serving as Bike Director, Chris is helping remove transportation barriers by helping put kids and adults on bikes and keep them on bikes by helping empower them to maintenance the bike they earn.
What do you want people to know about you?
Though I am building bikes, my heart is to build the cyclist. Building the bike is just the method for character building.
What words of wisdom do you have for people who want to get involved in South Street?
South Street offers a lot of opportunities to be involved, follow your passions and you will not be overwhelmed by the need or challenges.
Centering Quote:
Christian Service Brigade’s Motto:
“Bright and keen for Christ!”
Larry Dawson
ReDirection Director
What role do you serve in the ministry?
I am the ReDirection Director here at South Street Ministries. My role in the ministry is to serve and support our community by helping individuals impacted by the criminal justice system find the resources and the guidance they need while on their pathway to being a restored and productive member of society.
What do you want people to know about you?
What I want people to know about me is that my life’s journey has brought me to the ministry with a deep understanding of the transformative power of redirection. Not only on the mind and spirit of the individual seeking to be restored, but the community as a whole.
What words of wisdom do you have for people who want to get involved in South Street?
For a person that wants to get involved in South Street I’d just say love and service of self takes a back seat to love and service for others because South Street gives seeking nothing in return.
Centering Quote:
“God doesn’t need what you don’t have or what you have lost. He only needs what you have.”
Chloe Hixson
Youth Coordinator
What role do you serve in the ministry?
As the Youth Coordinator I maintain the health and functionality of the day to day program for all things kids at south street!
What do you want people to know about you?
What words of wisdom do you have for people who want to get involved in South Street?
Be prepared to grow in love and experience so many beautiful things alongside of an amazing community.
Centering Quote:
I really value the words of Matthew – 25:40 Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Lilly Usner
Bike Shop Coordinator
What role do you serve in the ministry?
As the Bike Shop Coordinator I assist and help oversee the day to day functions of all of our programming. This year I had the privilege and excitement of starting my own program called Cycling FRIENDS! Having the opportunity to work hand in hand with kids to teach them not only the fundamentals and ways to use and ride a bike but also step into many social and emotional opportunities of growth.
What do you want people to know about you?
What words of wisdom do you have for people who want to get involved in South Street?
I encourage anyone, no matter how busy life gets, to take some time to volunteer in your community. You might be surprised by how much you gain from giving back.
Centering Quote:
Family isn’t always blood. My community has proven that. – A lesson I have taken from my senior year Sustain Investigation. (Thanks Miss Fortman!)
Megan Crites
ReDirection Coordinator
What role do you serve in the ministry?
As the ReDirection Coordinator, I serve by walking alongside people with compassion, advocacy, and faith as they rebuild their lives. My role is rooted in obedience to God’s call to bring hope, restoration, and practical support to those who need it most.
What do you want people to know about you?
What words of wisdom do you have for people who want to get involved in South Street?
Be willing to say yes when God calls you into uncomfortable places. You don’t need to be perfect, just obedient. Show up consistently, love boldly, and trust that God will use your faithfulness to change lives, including your own.
Centering Quote:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me… to set the oppressed free.”
— Luke 4:18
Board:
- Board President: Steven Schloenbach — Chief Financial Officer — Akron Community Foundation
- Board Treasurer: Victoria Osivnik — Owner, Going Beyond Bookkeeping LLC
- Board Secretary: Melissa Olson — Manager of Strategic Initiatives for Online, Continuing, & Professional Education — The University of Akron
Board of Directors:
- Jasmine Jones — Manager of Access to Care, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
- Robert Bowers — Chief Claims Officer — Westfield Group
- Roberta Roberts — Recreation Supervisor — City of Akron Parks and Recreation
- Jacinto Nunez — Attorney — Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, LLP
- Donnell Sneed— General Manager — Maple Street Motors
- Stephanie Leonardi— Owner — Leo-n-Arti
- Dwayne Richardson— Senior Manager — Urban League
- Ella Matthews— Assistant Vice President — Bank Manager
- Dr. Bill Downing— Founder of Downing Exhibits
- Michelle Ciancio— S&T Bank, Vice President, Senior Business Banker
- Cynthia Robinson— Akron Public Schools, Benefits Specialist, Human Capital