Broken Chains Ministry is founded on faith-centered Restorative Justice principles that we believe are reshaping the approach to criminal justice.

About 2,100 people return to the Akron area community from incarceration every year. Restorative Justice understands crime as an act against people, relationships, and the community. Retributive justice views crime as an act against the state and focuses on punishment.

We employ proven practices of mentoring, identity restoration, faith-centered programs and education, workforce development, and advocacy to achieve these goals. In the process, we help improve public safety, restore individuals to community with fairness, save taxpayer dollars, and generate positive economic impact. This includes our unique Urbean Cafe and Lydia’s Home programs.

Looking for a cozy treat to warm your spirits during this cold weather? Urbean Cafe is serving up all of your favorites this winter. There’s no better way to warm up than with our locally roasted, freshly ground coffee. Our signature Urbean Cafe blend is guaranteed to start your day with a smile.. If coffee isn’t your speed, our Hot Cocoa can hit the spot.

For lunch, try our appropriately named “Awesome Burger”, made fresh to order with custom toppings. Or, if you’re feeling chilly, try our chili! Both dishes are fan favorites that are sure to fend off the cold and snow.

If you’re feeling Philly’s instead, ours are made with chicken or steak and are served sizzling right off the grill. With homemade quesadillas, handmade pizzas, and sky-high nachos, there’s something on the menu for everyone.

Join us in welcoming Elisa Raicevich, Board Chairperson, and Christine Cox, Board Member to the Broken Chains Ministry board of directors.

Both Elisa and Christine bring more than 15 years of Broken Chains Ministry mentoring experience to their new roles, having mentored dozens of women over the years. In fact, Christine has worked in prison ministry for more than 25 years.

In addition, both of these exceptional leaders are active educators at Lydia’s Home, visiting monthly to teach the Heart of Addiction Bible Study Curriculum to women in recovery. They also visit the women’s Community Based Correctional Facility (CBCF) monthly to mentor to those still incarcerated.

Thanks to Wayside Furniture, your donation of up to $100* will be DOUBLED when you drop off your donation to Wayside Café at 1367 Canton Rd. in Akron November 26 through November 29. Visit Wayside Café located at 1367 Canton Rd., Akron, Ohio 44312. Call 330-733-6221 for hours and details, or visit www.wayside-furniture.com for hours and information.

Lydia's Home is grateful to Professor Joann Sahl, Esq., J.D., and the law students at the University of Akron School of Law for their volunteer service during the 11th Annual Akron Law Cares day of service. Thank you for rolling up your sleeves and helping us complete maintenance and landscaping projects for the third straight year.

Thanks to our generous sponsors, donors and attendees, we exceeded our fundraising goal for the Making the Difference Benefit Banquet by more than $10,000, and are within $10,000 of meeting our annual fundraising goal for 2021. On October 1, we welcomed more than 300 people in fellowship and eight new sponsors including event sponsor, Victory Innovations to celebrate incredible milestones for the ministry, and heard powerful testimonies of transformation from our clients.

Urbean Café marked 10 years this summer, Lydia’s Home celebrated its four-year anniversary late this summer, and we recently earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Guidestar.

Broken Chains Ministry has earned the Guidestar Platinum Seal of Transparency. This is the highest seal of transparency that Guidestar awards to a nonprofit organization.

Guidestar is one of the leading independent nonprofit governance and accountability organizations in the world, helping oversee validation and compliance, monitor ongoing nonprofit status, prioritize partnerships, and understand operational strength.

Congratulations to Lydia’s Home as it celebrates its four-year anniversary. Throughout the past four years, 25 residents have successfully graduated from this unique program. Many Lydia’s Home residents have been reunited with their children and families, obtained full-time employment, and become active members of the community and a local church family, and have transformed their lives through this program.

In 2020, Lydia’s Home received its State of Ohio Certification from Ohio Recovery Housing (ORH) as a Level III Recovery Residence, and meets National Standards of the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR.)