Arloa Sutter

"Then Joshua said to the people, 'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.'"
-- Joshua 3:5

Breakthrough is entering a critical season of ministry. Our yearend giving in 2003 was lower than we had hoped. This presents us with the challenge of cutting expenses, but it also affords us the opportunity to look critically at every aspect of our ministry to determine what needs to be retooled, dismantled or reconstructed. While these changes will likely be painful, I am confident that God is in the process of pruning us for future growth and that "tomorrow the Lord will do wonders" among us.

We need your prayers right now! We have set aside two days to fast and pray about the decisions that need to be made and to ask God for his abundant provision. Please join us by fasting in whatever way God leads you to, and lift the ministry up in prayer THIS Thursday, March 4th. Our second day is Saturday, April 3rd from 9:00 am until noon. You are invited to meet at the Joshua Center (3330 W. Carroll Ave.) to pray together with our staff and board members. We treasure your prayers and support.

Become a MONTHLY donor! Consistent monthly gifts form the backbone of support that Breakthrough uses to provide holistic services to men, women and youth throughout the entire year.

Contribute quickly, easily and securely using credit card or Electronic Fund Transfer. Click here to give today.

Does your company have a matching gift program? Find out from your company's HR department. Your contribution to Breakthrough could go twice as far! For more information, contact Nancy Hall at 773.989.4382 x290 or nhall@breakthroughministries.com.

Saturday, May 22 - Bridge of Hope reception: Meet Yolanda, Brenda and team members for food, fellowship and fun! 2:00 pm, Joshua Center, 3330 W. Carroll Ave., Chicago

Friday, October 29 - Breakthrough's 2004 Annual Benefit at the Chicago Hyatt. Don't miss this year's guest speaker, Dr. Tony Campolo!

Anita is thankful for the support and respect she has received at Joshua.

"I thought that most homeless women were into drugs or prostitution," Anita begins. "But since I've been at Joshua, I've gotten to know other women who are a lot like me." She explains, "I never thought I'd be homeless. Sometimes there are just certain circumstances that you can't change, and that's what happens."

Many of Anita's difficulties started with the death of her son. "I never dreamed of losing a child," she remembers. "I just couldn't function. People told me I had to get over it, but I couldn't. I stopped going out and even stopped going to church because I didn't want to face people anymore. They didn't understand."

The depression continued. Eventually, Anita lost her job and her home. Then, last October she came to the Joshua Center. It proved to be a turning point in her life.

"Being here changed my life. It changed my way of thinking," Anita says. She adds, "I came here when I was finished running from my problems." She is thankful for the support she's received while at Joshua, observing, "God surrounded me with a lot of good people. I've made some really strong friendships with a few of the homeless ladies here." She also appreciates the staff, saying, "They treat us with respect despite our situations."

Anita has finished some employment training courses and is currently taking computer classes. "I'm just working on getting my life back together. I have a fifteen year-old son, and I don't want the street life to get him. He is my motivation for doing this."

Click here to find out more about Breakthrough's Homeless Services for Women.

Eileen McMahon serves as a meal leader at the Joshua Center once a month. She attends Grace Chicago Church and lives in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood. Eileen is a medical researcher at Northwestern Hospital.

It is hard for me to really understand what the homeless women are going through, but I always learn something by spending time with them. Usually they end up ministering to me. The women are so joyful. Even though things have been hard for them, I notice that they often laugh and smile. It's a good reminder for me to rejoice no matter what my circumstances.

I have also felt the Holy Spirit working to increase the comfort level between volunteers and the homeless ladies. I've been a meal leader for about a year, and it seems like every time I come here the guests seem to be a little more at ease. It's interesting because I usually bring different people every time I come.

How did you get involved at Breakthrough?

My church decided to commit more fully to a smaller number of organizations. After hearing experiences from Catherine Calabrese and Amy Cosby, two of our members who also work at Breakthrough, we decided to increase our support. We were impressed with Breakthrough's vision and programs.

Click here to find out about volunteer opportunities.