Arloa Sutter

A friend of mine from Brooklyn explained a New Yorker's definition of a split second. He said, "It's the period of time between when the light turns green and the person behind you honks."

In true Chicago style, it's like the time when I was daydreaming at a stop light and I heard a Chicago cop yell at me over his loud speaker, "Hey lady, the light's not gonna get any greener!"

Faith is an action word. We are called by God to take steps of faith every day of our lives. When the light turns green we need to be ready for action. Hebrews 10:38-39 comes just before the famous "faith chapter" of Hebrews 11, "But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved."

Are you shrinking back from a green light? Is there something in your heart of hearts you know God would want you to do, but you have been fearful, choosing safety instead of faith?

This is the moment to make the decision to take that great step of faith. "The light's not gonna get any greener!"

Invite friends, family, co-workers and neighbors to raise the money needed to provide support for men, women and children throughout the year. Host a table at this year's event on Friday, October 29 at the Chicago Hyatt Hotel downtown.

Click here to register as a Table Host.

Extra opportunity for Table Hosts - Guest attendance at the Annual Benefit has greatly increased over the past three years. While this significant growth is a blessing to the ministry, it also adds to the cost of the event. Table Hosts can help by becoming Table Sponsors for $500 a table. Table Hosts are not required to sponsor a table, and both Hosts and Sponsors will still have the opportunity to donate at the conclusion of the Benefit program.

Click here to register as a Table Host.

A Breakthrough guest receives free medical testing.

Since 2002 the Mobile Health Team has provided free essential healthcare to more than 200 homeless women at Breakthrough, a partnership made possible through a VNA Foundation grant. Over the past two years, the network of services has expanded and valuable working relationships have been formed with Bobby Wright Community Health, Advocate Ravenswood Dental Group, medical students at UIC, and the Chicago Department of Health.

Smith, and Dr. Thomas Huggett, two members of the Mobile Health Team, administer tests for HIV, TB and asthma; provide X-rays and flu shots; and give referrals for eyeglasses and hospital admission. Over time, they've been able to substantially increase screenings for pap smear, mammogram, and STDs. Other parts of the Mobile Health Team have expanded care to include social service advocacy, smoking cessation programs, pharmacy, mental health and dental services.

Chris remembers one woman who received a TB test. "The woman, who had not seen a doctor in many years, complained of sore knees and broken eyeglasses. Our examination revealed that she had exceedingly high blood pressure. She was immediately placed on medication, and by subsequent visits, her blood pressure was lowered, her knee pain diminished, and she received appropriate eye glasses." The woman has since found full-time employment.

The partnership between Breakthrough and the Mobile Health Team is essential. Dr. Huggett says, "We could do very little in this neighborhood without the Joshua Center and the VNA grant. Both give us the opportunity to advance the urgent need to combine primary and family medicine with more comprehensive community care."

Special thanks to Steve Nelson for contributing to this story.

Dave and Laura June Andresen are long-time Breakthrough supporters.

What led to your decision to give?
We met Arloa through her brother, who was a former pastor of ours, and have remained close friends ever since. Her passion for Breakthrough was very evident, and we decided to offer our financial support to the ministry.

In what ways has giving to Breakthrough impacted you?
God has placed Breakthrough's vision on our hearts. We are making plans to set up a family charitable fund. This will enable us to continue to support Breakthrough in our retirement years and beyond.

Why do you feel it is important to support Breakthrough financially?
Even though we live in the western suburbs, we feel God's call to support this ministry in the City. We have seen the ministry grow, and we rejoice in God's blessing on His work through Breakthrough.

In what other ways are you involved with the ministry?
We organize food and clothing drives at our church and work locations. Each fall, we host a table at the Annual Benefit. It is a great opportunity to invite others who may be interested in this type of ministry but do not yet know of, or support Breakthrough.

Thank you for your hard work!

Special thanks to Ed Akers, a construction worker who directed the group's efforts, and Jen Moe, who organized and promoted the work day.