Arloa Sutter

As she drove along one afternoon, a Breakthrough staff person noticed a woman standing on the corner. She passed by and then felt clearly that she should turn back and speak to the woman. When she did, the woman burst into tears. "I had just cried out to God, 'God if you're real, please send someone to talk to me about you,' and here you are!"

When I heard that story two things touched me. First of all, the woman from our staff was sensitive and obedient to the Holy Spirit's leading. She turned her car around to reach out to the woman. Secondly, I was amazed to realize that God cared so much for the woman on the street that He responded to her desperate cries in a miraculous and immediate way.

Psalm 40:1-3 reads, "I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord."

Through your gifts to Breakthrough, God is responding to the cries of many broken people and setting their feet on a rock. Thank you for letting God's Spirit lead you in your giving to Breakthrough.

Benefit 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.

Contact Development Director, Nancy Hall, to sponsor a table or for more information.

Ministry Wish Lists
Items should be new or like new.
Click here for items on the Women's Services Wish List.
Click here for items on the Men's Services Wish List.
Click here for items on the Youth and Family Services Wish List.

Please join us for an evening of celebration, inspiration and vision!
If you'd like to host a table of ten, contact Nancy Hall at

773.989.4382 x290 or nhall@breakthroughministries.com.

Click here to RSVP.

Breakthrough's academic assistance program for youth began on September 7, the first day of school for Chicago Public Schools. For more information on volunteering with the academic programs, please contact Academic Assistance Coordinator, Marcie Curry at 773.722.0179 x19 or mcurry@breakthroughministries.com.

Breakthrough Beginners, ages 3 to 5
Fifteen children participate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9 am until noon. One program goal is to develop student skills in identifying colors, letters and shapes. This program needs two volunteers each day to assist with general classroom activities. It is helpful for volunteers to make a commitment for the same day each week.

After School Homework and Reading Program, grades K-8
Over 50 youth participate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3-6 pm. Students complete reading level assessments and have reading daily assignments. This program needs tutors, age 15 and older, to provide assistance to students on homework assignments and general academic growth. Tutors may arrive as early as 3 pm to for students' free time. Academic sessions begin at 4 pm.

Extra Mile program, grades 9-12
Eight to 10 students gain valuable leadership experience while strengthening relationships with each other and adults. Students in the Extra Mile program are involved in ACT test prep, career path searches, business principles and community service training. The students are also tutors for the after school program. This program needs volunteers who will invite a high school student to "shadow" them on the job for a day.

Special thanks to intern, Lameria Foster, who contributed to this article.

For more information on Breakthrough's Youth and Family Services, click here.

Chris and Kindra Morelock attend First Evangelical Free Church in Chicago. They volunteer with Youth and Family Services.

What led you to become involved with the ministry?
Two books we read in the summer of 2003 made a great impact on us. Grace Matters by Chris P. Rice speaks of racial reconciliation in an urban environment. We also read parts of Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. In thinking through his messages about "cheap grace" and "costly grace," we looked for ways to make our faith practical and obey the call of Jesus. God gave us an opportunity late last summer through soccer, a sport that we had both played in school. We noticed a need for youth soccer coaches on Breakthrough's website.

What unexpected things have you experienced?
When we signed on as soccer coaches last summer, we certainly never expected that we'd choose to move to a new neighborhood to be closer to the program! After soccer season ended, we realized that we didn't want that to be the end of our involvement with the youth. Before long, were involved in leading Bible study. In an ongoing process of seeking God's purpose for us, we are now moving to a home in East Garfield Park.

What do you enjoy most about volunteering at Breakthrough?
It is such a joy to interact with the youth and to get to know each other! We've also really enjoyed serving meals to the homeless men on the north side. Most of the guests have been really open to sharing and talking to us about their lives and faith. It's encouraging to come back the next month and pick up a conversation with the same guest, especially if he's been able to find a job or apartment.

How did you hear about Breakthrough?
First Free and Breakthrough are partners in ministry, so we had a lot of exposure to Breakthrough's mission.