Arloa Sutter

Last week, Clarence Hilliard passed away. Seeing his picture in the paper flooded me with memories of the seventies when I was a student at Moody. The cutting edge church in Chicago at the time was Circle Church which Hilliard co-pastored with David Mains. It met in a labor union hall on the west side. Mains and Hilliard attempted to build a church that taught and lived racial reconciliation. The sobering "rest of the story" is that the church eventually split over race and disappeared as a failed urban experiment leaving people wounded and the dream of racial reconciliation unrealized.

I saw Clarence again a few months ago at a meeting of urban ministers and white suburban pastors and lay leaders at Hilliard's Austin Corinthian Church. They meet monthly to pray, worship and share their stories in the quest for racial reconciliation. Hilliard was still holding out the torch of advocacy for racial harmony in the church.

Christ is calling us at Breakthrough to become more intentional about addressing the issue of racism. I invite you to join us on a journey toward racial sensitivity and understanding, a journey that will challenge our beliefs and our worldviews. We are committed to self-examination and accountability regarding our words, attitudes and actions. We want to be unified in our diversity, demonstrating the truth and power of the Gospel by the love we have for one another. We acknowledge that the sins of racism and ethnocentrism are not only individual, but also institutional and structural. Therefore, we are committed to pursuing restorative and constructive change that is comprehensive in scope, reaching into all facets of our organizational life and structure, as well as into the communities and churches within which we work.

Thank you, Clarence, for your resolve. You can rest now. We can not!

Help out by donating items from our wish lists. Click on the links below to see the wish list from each program area.

Men’s Services

Women’s Services

Youth & Family Services

Breakthrough's services are very helpful to Delores.

Breakthrough strives to provide more than just a meal and a bed for our homeless guests. We believe in the value of a holistic approach to physical, mental and spiritual well being and growth. Our Women's Services program provides women in crisis with many educational and supportive opportunities.

"I'm able to access a computer anytime during the day so I can search for a job," says Delores, a homeless guest. She adds, "I feel safe at the Joshua Center. The devotions here help me spiritually, and I'm able to rest when I need to."

Breakthrough offers many services, most of them on a weekly basis:

Spiritual Enrichment and Support

Monday - Girl Talk is an open session where women can ask questions and discuss issues while receiving Biblical guidance. Two volunteers, Vilma Matthews and Martha Tyler, facilitate the group.

Tuesday - Keep It Real allows guests to discuss current life issues and receive support in a group setting led by a staff member.

Wednesday - Devotions are led by a lineup of dynamic women, including Arloa Sutter, Oreon Trickey, and others.

Health Education
Thursday - Health Talk is a 30 minute topical health information session, facilitated by Chris Smith of Circle Family Care. A Smoking Cessation Program has also been added, led by long-time Breakthrough volunteer, Ernestine Love.

Employment Assistance
Twice a month - A representative from Goldie's Place comes to facilitate a job club and conduct individual employment assessments. Goldie's is a supportive center for people who are homeless and offers job coaching to assist with resume writing, interview skills development, and referrals for job readiness and vocational training. Goldie's has contacts with several area employers and is able to recommend our guests for employment.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday - Guests and community members have an opportunity to use laptop computers for internet access and resume writing. They can also utilize the telephone and a fax machine.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
"We want to bring more value to the lives of our guests and community," says Director of Women's Services, Yolanda Fields. "Our staff like to celebrate holidays and make guests feel special. We'd also like to continue to add opportunities for our guests to learn and be encouraged."

Breakthrough would like to provide:

• free counseling services
• more job preparation, skills classes and search assistance
• arts and crafts activities
• GED preparation assistance

We also welcome things like spa treatments and homemade goodies to help us demonstrate the love of Christ.

For more information on how you might provide time or services, please contact Yolanda at 773.722.0179 x13 yfields@breakthroughministries.com.

Martha and Vilma attend Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park.

Why are you passionate about spending time with the ladies at Breakthrough each week?
Vilma: A lot of people have preconceived notions about these ladies. In reality, they are like us in many ways, but they're hurting and in need of support right now.
Martha: At one time or another we've all bought into lies about ourselves. Vilma and I have the opportunity to sit down with the women here and listen to them. We want to share the truth about how much God loves them.

What is the purpose of Girl Talk?
Martha: We try to provide a safe environment for truthful and honest discussion.
Vilma: We challenge the women to look to God's word for a solution. No matter what questions come up, the Bible is our final authority.

What has made Girl Talk so effective?
Vilma: Martha and I share about the times in our own lives when we felt broken and hurt. We try to communicate to the women that they don't have to carry around shame...that there is freedom in God's truth.
Martha: When women find out who they are in Christ, they find freedom.

Click here for information on other volunteer opportunities with Women's Services.

For many homeless men like John, Breakthrough's overnight shelter is more than just a place to sleep. "This is one of the best shelters I've stayed in," he says. John is thankful for the personal attention, friendship and spiritual encouragement he has experienced during his month-long stay at Breakthrough.

Having slept in other shelters, John cites the size of Breakthrough's overnight program as one benefit. "The staff have more time to listen when I really need to talk," he says. "With less men, it's easier to enforce good standards and have less fighting." John adds, "I have a brotherhood here, a close-knit community of people who encourage me."

John often chooses to participate in devotions, held after the men's evening meal. "I've been encouraged to not give up hope," he says. "I often ask, 'Why am I in this situation?' I wasn't involved in drugs or alcohol and I've worked hard. But a lot of people are just one paycheck away from homelessness. It can be a tough pill to swallow," he says. "It's a test of faith."

Encouraged by the fellowship he's experienced at Breakthrough and his own determination, John continues to purse his goals. He's taking classes that will earn him a certificate in sanitation and put him closer to finding a job. On Fridays, John volunteers at Breakthrough's community food pantry. "I don't like just sitting around," he says. "It's up to me. Am I going to take advantage of the benefits before me?"

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Click here for more information on the Men's Services program.