We are an outreach ministry serving the homeless and the poor in southwest Ohio

What we do...

Streetlight Ministry offers hope and help to the homeless,  to those at imminent risk of homelessness, and to the poor. We connect with them through referrals from law enforcement, homeless shelters, park personnel, churches, and individuals. We frequent places where we know they may be spending time... in the woods, a laundromat, an empty building.

Our goal is to connect with them personally and face-to-face to establish trust, understand, and assess their needs. Streetlight provides basic essentials such as backpacks, toiletries, food, water, sleeping bags and clothing. Additionally, we seek out resources such as shelter, medical and/or mental help, and services that address addiction.

Streetlight Ministry depends on the prayerful and financial support from those that share our heart for the needy. Together, we can offer hope to many who feel hopeless.

There is Hope Photo

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Luke 4:18-19

Why we do it...

I (Jerry) first met Nicole in the parking lot of a major retail store in southern Ohio. She and her cat, Toby, had been living in her Ford Ranger for about eight weeks. She lost her home that summer in a rollover scam used on seniors to fraudulently transfer real estate. Angry, stubborn, scared and confused, her world had collapsed around her. We drank numerous cups of coffee there at her truck. She finally began to trust me enough to help her get the resources she desperately needed.

Shopping cart with cardboard sign asking for HELP.

In another instance, I sat across the table from Linda. Midway through our conversation, she began to sob uncontrollably. We discussed her homelessness, domestic violence, and continued brokenness. She seemed openly embarrassed as she questioned where the next ounce of hope would surface in her dark and challenged life.

These are just two of hundreds of encounters I have experienced over the last 15 years since I have been pursuing the homeless with compassion. The cries for help continues to escalate so we continue to do what we can to extend a hand and offer hope where we can, confident we can make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.

Formerly homeless man holds sign "I used to stand here and beg for money"
Formerly homeless man holds sign "...so I could buy heroin."
Formerly homeless man holds sigh "There is life after heroin."
"I used to see this guy begging for money and I used to ignore him. Skip was someone I dismissed because I found out he was a heroin addict. I never thought that one day he would become a close friend. Don't dismiss a person so easily, they might surprise you.
My Friend Skip: The story of Justin "Skip" Shields. Watch the video here.
Shot and directed by Zach Daulton
Streetlight President Pam Stricker with Streetlight volunteers serving a meal in a hotel parking lot. We meet people wherever they are.

Family Fun Day!

We had a very successful Family Fun Day on Saturday, June 15, at a large, mostly subsidized housing complex in Batavia. The complex has about 175 apartments and 500 residents.
With the help of 85 volunteers, we served over 700 hotdogs hot off the grill with chips and drinks, gave 65 free haircuts, distributed free snow cones, gave out three skids of Purina cat, dog food, and Beggin' Strips, did face painting, tattoos, and hair care on a seemingly never-ending line of children, played games, had a kazoo parade, broke pinatas, and more!
The residents showed countless smiles and made heartwarming comments, a testament to the joy and appreciation the event brought.
We look forward to serving there again, so thank you for making it possible!
It's not recreational camping if it's your life.
Home.

How you can help...

Streetlight Ministry depends on the prayerful and financial support from those that share our heart for the needy. Together, we can offer hope to many who feel hopeless. Monetary donations help us fund meals we serve each month, provide sleeping bags, blankets, backpacks, toiletries, food vouchers, transportation and more.

For more information...

For more information or to inquire about ways you can help, email jerry@streetlightministry.org or call at 513.390.0138. You can also reach us by mail at Streetlight Ministry, PO Box 44, Batavia, OH 45103. We look forward to hearing from you.

Life in the rough is never far from overdose, crime, and physical or medical health crises. Streetlight Ministry partners with first responders to meet very practical needs.
The ground is level at the foot of the cross. Streetlight is there to remind folks that Jesus is very near.