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leader brief
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| We ALL Need A Breakthrough! |
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| Arloa Sutter |
It's a new year…a time to take stock of where we are, where we have come from, and where we are going. At Breakthrough we have been conducting an intensive ministry-wide organizational self-assessment over the past few months. Our research found that the participants in our programs especially appreciate that Breakthrough places value on quality over quantity, that we treat each of them with dignity and respect, and that we establish transforming personal relationships with them. Our staff values the same things. We respect our roles as instruments of transformation, and we recognize the importance of organizational excellence.
Our research also reveals that you—our donors, friends, and volunteers—value the fact that Breakthrough is faith-driven. You desire to see and contribute to the process of transformation in the lives of our participants. Many of you mentioned experiencing renewal in your own lives as you have partnered with Breakthrough.
As this new year begins, Breakthrough will be using the results of this research to determine our strategic plan and goals for the next few years. We will work to develop our facilities at both our north and west side locations to better serve our guests, and we'll strive to deepen and strengthen our current programs and services. We will seek to find new sources of funding, and we'll continue to build bridges between our volunteers, churches, and the communities that we serve.
Ephesians 2:10 says, "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which He has prepared in advance for us to do." From the most destitute of our homeless guests, to our most successful investors, we all have been given a work to do by our Creator. All of us experience change in our lives as we join together to reach out to others. We become part of something bigger than ourselves. My prayer for you this year is that Breakthrough will serve as a venue for you to express the good works that God created you to do and that we'll all experience divine transformation in the process!
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| partner with us
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Have you made a New Year's resolution to "help others" or "become more involved" this year? You can make good on your plans by volunteering at Breakthrough!
Volunteer
Breakthrough has a multitude of volunteering opportunities to suit your gifts, interests, and availability. Coach sports teams in our youth program. Cook a meal for our homeless guests. Lead Bible study or devotional time. Tutor children in reading. For more information on how you or your group can get involved, contact Amy Cosby at 773.989.4382 x271 or acosby@breakthroughministries.com. You can also check out our website at www.breakthroughministries.com.
Become a donor: Send your gift to: Breakthrough Urban Ministries, 5251 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL 60640 |
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ministry update
the latest news from Breakthrough
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This is an excerpt from a recent e-mail from Rodney, a former Breakthrough guest who was a supervisor in our Cleanstreet program five years ago:
"The more I live, the more I witness the beautiful work of God. Whether it be the glow of millions of stars in the night sky, or merely one ladybug who seemingly has wandered into my home, I remind myself, 'This is the work of God!'
"It has been five years since I've had the pleasure of walking through the doors of Breakthrough. I remember the anticipation of wondering what discussion might follow the daily devotions. It always kept me on my toes�the possible discovery of some new insight into God's master plan.
"My life sort of took an unexpected turn five years ago. I want you to know that you [Arloa] and Breakthrough have and will always be in my heart. Hardly a day has gone by that I haven't been reminded of the wondrous ways God has used you to work his plan. Through your efforts, you have allowed the "many" to open their hearts to God's goodwill. You are like a shepherd to those who are lost, and I feel most blessed to not only have been one of your sheep but also one whom you entrusted to guide others on the "right" path.
"Say 'hi' to my mentor, Judy Cuchetto. She was my spiritual guide and strength when I felt weak in faith. She literally taught me how to pray, how to talk to God...and how to wait for His reply. With her guidance, I learned how to recognize His response.
I miss you all at Breakthrough, although I'm quite busy these days raising a five-year old son named Justin Rodney. I work full time at the Mayo Clinic in Health Information Management and just celebrated my fifth anniversary there last week. I am chairperson of the Parents Association at the Headstart Program that Justin attends, and I attend church services at Congregational Church (UCC).
Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
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Rodney
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volunteer spotlight
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Several weeks ago, Dirk Recker, a Breakthrough supporter, brought a group to volunteer at the North Side Homeless Services Center for Men. His group provided and served a meal and spent a little time talking to the guests. God used the time to minister to both guests and volunteers. Following is Dirk's observations about the evening.
Can teenagers and homeless men minister to each other?
How do you combine classical guitar playing, Christmas songs, rap music, gold fish swallowing, oboe playing, junior high kids, pizza, and singing the theme song from "Green Acres" for an effective night of ministering to homeless men? Only God could use all that to glorify the name of Jesus Christ and have a powerful life-changing effect on everyone involved. In fact, that night was one of the most powerful ministry evenings I can remember, and we're already planning the next one.
Read more about Dirk's volunteer experience >>
Several months ago, my family and the Dekker family set a goal to conduct regular nights of ministry with homeless men at Breakthrough's North Side location. We chose Breakthrough because they minister to the spiritual needs of people that find themselves in crisis�not just physical, immediate needs. Typically, we supply a meal for the guests (pizza or something homemade) before spending time singing worship songs, praying, and reading Scripture. Our enthusiasm for this ministry began to spread to other people around our church, Harvest Bible Chapel. Many people have asked to come and help, including some of the 8th-grade boys in our Junior High Group and other leaders in our church.
Getting involved in Breakthrough will most certainly have a life changing impact on you. We've gotten to know Sam, the shelter assistant, who is a prayer warrior. We've also begun to get to know some of the men who are guests at Breakthrough and understand their situations a little more.
| | Dirk Recker
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thank you
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Christmas Store
Over 700 presents were donated for Breakthrough's Christmas Store, which was open to homeless guests and East Garfield Park community members on Saturday, December 14. Thank you to all who donated gifts and wrapping paper.
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Youth Christmas Party
Many thanks to the employees of The Cochlan Group, Inc. (www.tcg-bcg.com) for hosting a wonderful Christmas party for all the children involved in Breakthrough's after-school program. They generously bought each child gifts from his or her Christmas list and had Breakthrough sweatshirts made for everyone. In addition, they provided a delicious dinner. Special thanks to Steve Cochlan, Diane Gomez, and John Tenbrink for planning such a festive party! |
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staff spotlight
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Position: Academic Assistance Coordinator, Youth Outreach
What do you like most about working with the youth?
I enjoy watching them grow and achieve success. It's also great to get to know their families. My husband and our children live here in East Garfield Park, and I really love being a part of this community and establishing relationships with my neighbors, many of whom have children in our youth programs.
What is your role at Breakthrough?
I oversee Breakthrough's after-school and summer school academic assistance programs. Our after-school tutoring is open to youth from ages 6-18 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Outside of that time, I correspond with parents and teachers to find out more about how students are doing and to relay my observations. I also research for tools to help students in our program.
What surprises you most about working with the youth?
I was used to working with 17- and 18-year-olds who were college-bound and generally had stable home lives. Now, I work with youth of multiple ages, and their skill levels vary widely. In particular, a lot of the children struggle with reading skills.
Through working at Breakthrough, how has God touched your life?
It's really been impressed upon me to give my family my best and to be a better parent. Being involved in any ministry can be so busy and time-consuming. It becomes very easy to start leaving the kids with a sitter more often, or just not taking time to spend with each other. Even though there are so many legitimate needs that I see in working with the Youth Outreach, I've learned not to be so need-driven in my response so that I can put my family first.
Tell us about your family.
My husband, Bill, is the Youth Outreach Director. We have two children and another one due at the beginning of April. Quinn is four and Avery is two.
What did you do before coming to Breakthrough?
We lived in Middletown, Ohio. I taught English at Clinton-Massie High School.
To find out more about the Youth Outreach Academic Assistance Program, contact Marcie at 773.722.0179 x11 or mcurry@breakthroughministries.com.
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