Contact Information
Our mission is to improve public safety and support the local economy by reducing recidivism through faith-centered Restorative Justice programs. We serve clients through the Summit County Jail and Clifford Skeen Community-Based Correctional Facilities.
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 502
Akron, OH 44309
Phone: 330-472-1166, Dennis Shawhan, Executive Director
Email: dennis@brokenchainsministry.org
CONTACT FORM
prayer request
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:5-7
Leadership Team
Rev. Dennis Shawhan, Executive Director, Broken Chains Ministry
330-472-1166 (mobile)
dennis@brokenchainsministry.org
Dennis Shawhan founded Broken Chains Ministry after serving as an ordained minister within the Summit County Jail for six years. With his wife Tamela, a mentor and Chaplain, Dennis spearheads the Restorative Justice programs, and reentry initiatives for the ministry including collaboration with the judicial system, local law enforcement, community service organizations, and corporate sponsors. His work includes service as a Chaplain, client mentor and advocate, as well as the sponsorship, grant program, and event coordinator.
Kurt Cox, Chaplain, Director of Outreach & Mentoring Ministry
kurt@brokenchainsministry.org
A retired member of the U.S. Coast Guard with a master’s in Divinity from Liberty University, Kurt joined the team as a full-time Chaplain in 2012. He formerly served the community as a volunteer mentor and as a Summit County Juvenile Corrections Officer. Kurt’s work includes service as a Chaplain and Director of Outreach & Mentoring.
Tamela Shawhan, Chaplain, Director of Operations, Lydia’s Home
330-807-8226 (mobile)
tamela@brokenchainsministry.org
Tamela is Director of Operations and Ohio Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist at Lydia's Home, a certified Level II Recovery Residence for women located in the City of Green. Based on our successful Restorative Justice program, Lydia’s Home’s unique approach to transitional housing helps women successfully overcome situational, generational, and spiritual barriers to recovery and independence.
OUR Team
In addition to Dennis, Tamela and Kurt, our team includes a board of directors and volunteer mentors and prayer partners. Our ministry is supported by corporate sponsors, in-kind donors, churches, community service organizations, private donors, area foundations, and local law enforcement. Meet our Partners.
OUR BOARD
Elisa Raicevich, U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Department of Justice, Board Chair
Kenneth Anderson, President & CEO, Pro Gram Engineering Corp.
William (Bill) Garmier, Vice President & CEO, Renewable Lubricants, Inc. & Owner, Garmier Farms
Dennis Shawhan, Executive Director, Broken Chains Ministry (Ex-Officio)
Rev. John Wiseman, Business Manager, Urbean Cafe - Retired December, 2023
We express our sincere gratitude to John Wiseman for his decades of devoted service to our Ministry, and wish him every blessing in his retirement. An ordained minister since 1994, John Wiseman joined the team in 2007 after serving as a Chaplain in the Summit County Jail for 25 years. John was named business manager for the organization in 2012, and was a huge contributor to the continued success of Urbean Café and its workforce development program. Urbean Café has contributed more than $7 million* in economic impact since 2011.
*As of October 2023