Have you heard our story? Nothing tells our story better than our team and our clients. Listen to Dennis, Tamela, Kurt & Renee share the human stories behind our ministry.
URBEAN CAFE
This is our real-world Workforce Development program that provides experiential work skills and soft skills for those on the path of reentry and recovery.
This unique program has helped nearly 170 people with a felony background find stable work in a place where they are mentored to succeed.
Because the recidivism rate for our employees is less than 2%, this program has saved taxpayers $5 million in direct costs.
Through our support of local vendors, the program has contributed more than $10 million in economic impact.
"What it's about is growth and maturity and connecting and growing and serving. And, that's where a person really flourishes." ~ Dennis Shawhan
LYDIA'S HOME
Our 6-bed recovery home provides a curriculum-based, faith-centered recovery program in a safe home environment that helps women in recovery and reentry heal and be restored to the community.
Lydia's Home is a Certified Level II Recovery Residence for women that meets the standards of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR).
Women in Summit County who are age 18 or over and are recovering from substance abuse are eligible to apply for residency directly through our website.
"We love these women at Lydia's Home. We want to take care of them. We want to work as hard as they are working. If they are working 100%, we are going to work 110%. We want to help them get on their feet, be restored to their families, get their children back, be restored to society, and be successful." ~ Tamela Shawhan
OUTREACH & MENTORING
Kurt Cox is a Chaplain and director of the men's Outreach & Mentoring program. His wife, Renee Cox, serves alongside him as the director of our women’s Outreach & Mentoring program.
"I would meet these ladies on some of their worst days...I would hear their stories and their heartaches and talk to them about Jesus. You can struggle without him, but if you struggle with him, you're going to struggle either way, but one leads to life in peace and one leads to death. Nobody wants to live without life in peace." ~ Renee Cox
"There is a joy when you're trusting Jesus and you know you have a future. And you know that whatever you're going through right now is not the end, it's just a thing you've gotta go through and there's always a better day coming." ~ Kurt Cox
At the heart, it’s all about faith. "A faith relationship with Jesus Christ is vital to recovery." ~ Dennis Shawhan