New RV Fills Critical Need For Street Outreach

Brenda and Yvette rejoice in Yvette's progress.

"We're ready to get back on the street," says Outreach Coordinator, Brenda Williams.  Thanks to a generous donor, Breakthrough Urban Ministries just purchased a 2003 RV. The Street Outreach team had been without an RV all summer due to constant mechanical problems. Without it, Breakthrough was hampered in reaching women in crisis on their turf, a critical area of engagement. Even women who come to Breakthrough but have never stepped foot on the RV usually come because of another woman who has. Brenda says, "Many women come to us by word of mouth.'"

Yvette speaks to the significance of Breakthrough's outreach and programs. She credits the staff with helping her stay clean and on a path to spiritual truth. "I was treated like a human being," she says. "The staff taught me how to have confidence in myself. My case manager really helped me through my depression, anger and frustration." She adds, "They helped me restore my sanity."

"She was a tough cookie," admits Brenda. "Yvette did the things she was supposed to do...attend recovery meetings, look for work, surround herself with positive people and influences. But her past incarceration has been a big obstacle for her when it came to getting a job and an apartment." Brenda explains, "She'd take a step forward and get knocked back seven steps, in her mind. She shed a lot of tears." Brenda adds that the repeated frustration often drives people to go back to "numbing the pain."

Staff and volunteers can take outreach back on the street in the new RV.

In fact, Yvette has yet to find an employer who will hire her. But she has been clean for over a year and will soon move into permanent housing, where she'll have her own apartment. Currently, she shares a room with another woman in temporary housing. Both arrangements were set up for her through Breakthrough Urban Ministries.

Yvette continues her journey with hope. She is looking for a church and volunteers regularly when she's not searching for work. She is thankful for her time at Breakthrough. "I thank God for sending me here," she says. "I know that what they did for me, they can do for many others."

Board member, JC Chang, is the Director of Online Advertising Sales for Gannett Co. She lives in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood and attends Park Community Church.

What made you decide to become a donor?
It is a privilege to volunteer and give of my time and talents, but I have always believed in the discipline of sharing my treasures as well. It has been easy to do with a ministry that I believe in like Breakthrough.

What's the most exciting thing you think God has done at Breakthrough since you've been involved in the organization?
There are too many miracles and awesome stories to pick just one. To me, it is not about what God does at Breakthrough, but what God seems to do through Breakthrough.  Anyone who works or volunteers cannot help but be transformed in the process of serving. Breakthrough inspires us to become better citizens in God's kingdom, and that is always exciting to see.

Why should people come to this year's Annual Benefit, and why should they invite others to come?
I started volunteering at Breakthrough 15 years ago, right out of college. The joy of having a history with Breakthrough is that I have personally seen the growth in the organization - in Arloa, in the staff, and in the vision and reach of the ministry. The Annual Benefit has grown, too...from a potluck gathering to an event with over 2000 people! It is the one formal time in the year that we can all get together and celebrate what God has done through Breakthrough. We feel the depth of community that exists, and experience for ourselves that Breakthrough is not just another service organization. I never walk away from a Breakthrough Annual Benefit without being humbled and excited about being a part of something greater than myself.

Interested in volunteering? Contact us at volunteer@breakthroughministries.com.