Our Mission
Our mission is to improve public safety and support the local economy by reducing recidivism through faith-centered Restorative Justice programs that help people make a fresh start.
What We Do
Did you know that one in six people in Ohio have a felony history and one in 175 are currently incarcerated? More than 2,000 citizens reenter Summit County communities following incarceration each year, often through transitional programs that help them succeed through positive change. This is where we meet the men and women who are ready to disrupt destructive patterns, repair harm, and make a fresh start.
Restorative Justice
Restorative Justice embraces a collaborative relationship with the judicial system that helps people make a fresh start and repair harm. Our programs make it possible.
Programs
Outreach & Mentoring for men and women through collaboration.
Workforce development training and employment through Urbean Cafe.
Substance abuse recovery for women through Lydia’s Home.
““He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” ”
Outreach & Mentoring
Our Outreach & Mentoring program is an essential Restorative Justice program that aims to share God’s love with those in recovery and reentry and connect them with faith communities.
Once a client has satisfied his or her sentence and met legal requirements for release, we serve as advocates, connecting them with organizations and services necessary for reentry.
A Barna Research study found that most former offenders who have a mentor will not commit another crime. Having a trusted mentor restores a sense of personhood and helps people connect with the world in a new way.
““Some temptations are only overcome with the help of a partner who prays for you, encourages you, and holds you accountable.””
Urbean Cafe
Workforce Development
Our award-winning Urbean Cafe workforce development program is a successful social business venture located in downtown Akron, Ohio, Located at the Robert K. Pfaff Metro Transit Center at 631 South Broadway St. in Akron, Urbean Cafe provides a unique workforce development program that has employed nearly 170 returning citizens.
Economic Impact
Through our relationships with local vendors and providers, Urbean Cafe has contributed more than $10 million in economic impact to Summit County since 2011.
The average recidivism rate for former offenders is 43% within one year, and around 82% within the first 10 years of release from prison. But, for Urbean Cafe participants of 90 days or more, it’s less than 2% – saving Ohio taxpayers an average of $26,000 per year for every empty state penitentiary bed, which has saved Ohio taxpayers more than $5 million in direct costs.
We offer a full menu and locally-roasted coffee at unbeatable prices.
““America is the land of the second chance - and when the gates of the prison open, the path ahead should lead to a better life.””
Lydia’s Home
Opened in 2017, Lydia's Home is a Certified Level II recovery residence for women located in the City of Green that meets the standards of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR).
Lydia’s Home provides a curriculum-based, faith-centered recovery program in a safe home environment based upon Restorative Justice that helps women successfully overcome barriers to recovery and independence. Women who are age 18 or over and are recovering from substance abuse in Summit County are eligible to apply for residency.
““Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.””
CORE VALUES
Integrity – Upholding the highest moral and ethical standards.
Compassion – Treating others with respect and empathy.
Excellence – Through leadership, mentoring, example, and business management.
Stewardship – Through accountability, transparency, and fiscal management.
Dedication – To meeting the unique needs of each individual.
““You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.””