The Ministry returned to its Summit County Jail offices on August 3 following more than 5 months of working remotely. Outreach and operations at Summit County Jail were suspended from March 15 to August 3, and many of our staff members suffered forced layoff.

During this period, the Ministry was completely cut off from the inmates it serves with the exception of virtual visits. However, the Ministry team succeeded in completing more than 900 virtual visits with inmates over more than five months.

On September 14, the Ministry was able to resume limited Bible Study classes using social distancing and other CDC and Ohio State Government recommended safety protocols related to COVID-19 guidelines.

We are thankful to be on the road to resuming full operations, as we continue to strive to meet the many needs of incarcerated individuals and returning citizens.

To help us raise vital funding necessary to support our Ministry, please visit our Donate page to make a love gift.

Our award-winning Urbean Cafe workforce development program reopened June 8 following a forced three-month COVID-19 related closure from late March through early June.

The Urbean Cafe program is a social business venture that has contributed nearly $5 million* to the local economy since 2011, and celebrated nine years in July.

The extended closure of the Cafe resulted in significant financial hardship for the organization, in addition to extended layoffs for our already vulnerable clientele. The Cafe is operating at 60% capacity as of September, and we continue to work with the community to resume full operations.

Come visit us at The Robert K. Pfaff Metro Transit Center in Akron, Ohio. We offer a diverse menu including our own locally roasted Urbean Cafe coffee and our famous Carrot Cake!

Broken Chains Ministry (BCM) will celebrate its fifteenth annual “Making the Difference” benefit banquet on Friday, September 21 at 6:30 p.m. at Guys Party Center of Akron.

Music by special guest violinist Heather Smith will serve as a stunning backdrop for an unforgettable evening that will showcase 15 years of positive impact. Smith, formerly of the Youngstown Symphony and the Warren Philharmonic, is a well-known area artist and soloist.

Developed in collaboration with the judicial system, social service organizations, and community leaders, BCM’s unique Restorative Justice program has improved public safety, created $3 million in economic impact, and saved tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars.

Returning citizens are set up for successful transition to community through the Urbean Café workforce development program, a new home ownership program, and Lydia’s Home, a recovery home for women in the City of Green that recently celebrated its first anniversary.

Akron’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit jail and prison ministry founded by Dennis Shawhan kicks off its 15th year this month. Since its inception, Broken Chains Ministry (BCM) has grown to include a full-service café in downtown Akron, a home ownership program and a revolutionary women’s recovery home.

Akron’s Broken Chains Ministry is celebrating the successful grand opening of its first residential recovery home for women in Summit County. Located in Green, Lydia's Home comfortably accommodates six residents, supporting them in recovery from substance abuse and incarceration.

Visit Wayside Furniture Giving Weekend Nov. 24-26

Donations up to $100 will be MATCHED by Wayside Furniture! Proceeds will benefit Lydia's Home, our faith response to the opioid crisis, as well as our Workforce Development and Reentry programs! 

More than 380 people from the community gathered to celebrate this year’s 14th annual Making the Difference Banquet including former offenders, judges, court officials, members of law enforcement, court officials, ministry leaders, nonprofit organizations, social enterprises, business owners, and members of the recovery community in Stark County. Together we raised more than $50,000 to support ongoing BCM initiatives including Lydia’s Home, and saved thousands more through the in-kind donations of goods and services.