Breakthrough Urban Ministries Newsletter -


December 2003

leader brief

Arloa Sutter

Employment Changes Lives

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, that He prepared in advance for us to do." -- Ephesians 2:10

Second to experiencing God's life-changing love and forgiveness, having a job does much to transform lives and communities. People with jobs can buy food, clothing and housing. Employment can help elevate self-esteem and keep people out of jail. It can help families stay together and become healthier and better educated.

Breakthrough is about to launch a new employment program for homeless men called B.E.S.T. (Breakthrough Employment Services and Training). The program will provide comprehensive employment services designed to help the "hard-to-employ" achieve economic independence. Participants will receive employment skills training and intensive employment counseling. By working to service Breakthrough's street cleaning contracts, they will experience temporary, paid transitional employment. After being placed in permanent, unsubsidized employment, participants will continue to receive support from Breakthrough for at least one year.

We need your help!
If you know of an employer who might be willing to hire our graduates, or if you'd like to help us raise funds for this important program, please send me an email. By pulling together we can make a big difference!

Thank you!
Arloa Sutter

partner with us

Help Breakthrough Share Comfort With Others!

Throughout the cold winter months - and the rest of the year - Breakthrough provides refuge to many men, women and youth. For these people, Breakthrough becomes a lifeline, a place of safety where they are sheltered from the storms of life.

What Does It Mean To Have Shelter?
Homeless men and women have a place to stay while they get back on their feet. Women in prostitution find support and encouragement to begin a new life. Boys and girls enjoy a safe environment after school to learn and have fun.

Your financial gift to Breakthrough not only offers relief for physical needs, but also the love and encouragement of caring staff, and the hope for a better tomorrow. GIVE A GIFT TODAY!

Do you have appreciated stock?
The market has gone up sharply this year. If you have stock that has appreaciated, consider a year-end gift of stock to Breakthrough. Donating appreciated stock (or other investments) is an extremely tax-effective way to give. Find out more...

mark your calendar

Christmas Store Donation Deadline
Friday, December 12 is the last day to drop off donations for Breakthrough's Christmas Store. We are still in need of toys and other gift items! Click here for a list of ideas.

Please deliver unwrapped gifts, tape and wrapping paper to the Joshua Center (3330 W. Carroll Ave., Chicago.) Drop-off schedule: (Daytime) Mondays and Fridays, 9 am - 3 pm, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9 am - 6 pm; (Evening) daily, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm. For questions regarding drop-offs, contact Oreon Trickey at 773.722.0179 x15 or otrickey@breakthroughministries.com.

Share The Joy of Giving! Many individuals involved in Breakthrough's programs cannot afford to buy even simple Christmas gifts to share with their loved ones. We will provide them with a dignified way to do so by operating a Christmas Store on Saturday, December 20 at the Joshua Center.

The Store is open to our male and female homeless guests, youth involved in our programs and their families, and community residents near the Joshua Center. They will have the opportunity to purchase gifts for a nominal amount, using their own money, or in some cases, earned "Breakthrough Bucks." Any proceeds will go towards the cost of operating the Store.

ministry update
the latest news from Breakthrough

From top left: New Bridge of Hope Director, Yolanda Fields and Outreach Assistant, Brenda Williams. Bottom: Anessa with Executive Director, Arloa Sutter, at the Annual Benefit.

Exciting Developments For Bridge of Hope

At Breakthrough's Annual Benefit in October, Anessa shared her struggles and triumphs in overcoming drug addiction and a life of prostitution before an audience of 1,200 guests. Her inspiring story highlights the success of Breakthrough's Bridge of Hope ministry, an outreach to women in prostitution on Chicago's west side.

New Program Director
On December 1, Yolanda Fields joined Breakthrough as the new Bridge of Hope Director. Her passion for women on the streets is evident. Even before coming in contact with Breakthrough, Yolanda had begun researching and developing an outreach to prostitutes in the city. She brings valuable experience and skills from management and supervisory roles in the corporate sector, at Ameritech and AT&T.

New Partnerships
Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park has stepped forward this year in providing major support to the Bridge of Hope program. Church members arrange transportation to worship services. They also provide outreach volunteers and host special events.

New Volunteer Opportunities
Outreach Assistant, Brenda Williams has long dreamed of surrounding each woman with a supportive network of people. She wants to train volunteers how to stand beside women during their struggle to stay clean on the path to life change. So far, a handful of volunteers have been paired with women in the program, and early next year, Brenda and Yolanda will host regular training sessions for &quo;Side by Side&quo; partners.

Support Bridge of Hope's Outreach!
With your help, staff and volunteers will continue to share the freedom and hope of God's love with women who are captive to destructive lifestyles. Your financial contributions make it possible to provide weekly street outreach, emergency overnight shelter, and multiple opportunities for physical, emotional and spiritual growth and recovery throughout the week.
GIVE A FINANCIAL GIFT TO BREAKTHROUGH!

Click here to read about women whose lives are changing with help from Bridge of Hope.

thank you

Students use new equipment provided by the Beaumont Foundation of America.

Special thanks to the Beaumont Foundation of America for the new Toshiba computers and technology equipment granted to Breakthrough's Youth Outreach program. In October, Breakthrough received 10 laptops, a black and white laser printer, a digital camera, and a server. The server will allow for wireless networking. This equipment is a huge blessing for use in the Youth academic assistance programs. Currently, over 70 youth are involved in after-school tutoring and the college prep class. Click here for more information about Breakthrough's Youth Outreach.

Thank you to volunteer, DeAnna Williams. When Hall Kinion, the company she works for, reconfigured their offices in the area, she arranged for the donation and delivery of many fine pieces of office furniture. These items were much needed for staff at the Joshua Center, and we appreciate the gift.

donor spotlight

Joseph Mole is a Social Services Training Consultant for the Salvation Army.

In what ways has giving to Breakthrough impacted you?
I've had the opportunity to do some consulting and training with Breakthrough staff and leadership, and I am so impressed by the level of commitment each of the staff members has to the mission and vision of Breakthrough. It is difficult to attract and keep staff members who are both professional and deeply committed to ministry. The people I have met at Breakthrough possess both of these qualities.
Seeing this has made me want to give more.

What led to your decision to give?
I work in and around many shelters and agencies serving the homeless, and Breakthrough has stood out to me from the first time I visited. The facilities are always clean and bright, and the staff is personable and committed. One of the most critical components of service to the homeless is to communicate an individual's dignity. Breakthrough communicates dignity and value to each and every person who walks through their doors.

Why do you feel it is important to support Breakthrough financially?
Those of us working in nonprofit social service organizations these days are increasingly aware of shrinking resources, especially government funds. Private donations of finances, skills and time can provide stability to an organization like Breakthrough that will sustain the ministry through the ups and downs of the political and economic climate.
GIVE A FINANCIAL GIFT TO BREAKTHROUGH!