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Guest finds employment, gives back to community
A few years ago we featured a guest named Rosendo in our monthly e-newsletter, whose story can be read here. We got a chance to catch up with Rosendo this month and find out where his life has gone since we last talked to him.
Shortly after leaving Breakthrough, Rosendo returned home to Texas to take care of his ailing grandmother. Before leaving, he had been encouraged by a local dentist who helped him to train as a dental assistant. While living in Texas with his grandmother, he was finally able to take those classes and obtained his certificate.
Last December, Rosendo returned to Chicago to once again find himself homeless. He came back to Breakthrough and took employment readiness classes taught by Kevin Sellers, our new Employment Coordinator.
Rosendo found a job as a full-time Certified Dental Assistant at a clinic downtown and moved into his own apartment. He volunteers on the weekends at another dental clinic that offers free check-ups and cleanings to the homeless and low-income families.
“Every two weeks," says Rosendo, "we close down the office for half a day and help those who need it. I wanted to help others, because dental work is expensive.”
“Rosendo has impacted my life tremendously,” says Kevin. “He helped me to open up the doors to everyone else in the program. When they saw what he was able to do, people looked at Rosendo and admired him – they saw the progression that he had here; he came here, stayed here, got a job and he moved into an apartment.”
Rosendo is thankful for the opportunities that Breakthrough has provided him, and sees in his future a life of service to others.
“Today people look at me and say, ‘Wow, you don’t look like you were homeless.’ I just thank God that there are programs like Breakthrough that can help me, and where I can come back and help others, where I can tell people what Breakthrough has done for me.”
CLICK HERE to make a donation.
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| Kevin Sellers,
Employment Coordinator | How did you come to work at Breakthrough?
I found Breakthrough on the Internet. Last year I felt the need to move back to Chicago because my son’s mother lives here and I felt it would better enrich his life if he were closer to her. So I searched the Net for employment until I found Breakthrough. What caught me was the name “Breakthrough Urban Ministries,” then I read about their services and how they offered daily devotions to the men and women they serve and that just sealed it for me.
What have you learned while working here?
I have learned that there are people who truly care about what is happening to our society and that prayer can and will work if we follow God’s will, not our own agenda.
How does it feel to finally move the shelter and employment program to the new Breakthrough Ministry Center?
I’m excited about the move because I see many opportunities to expand the employment department through job fairs, on-site recruitment by employers, increased training opportunities and overall, increased individual self-esteem.
What makes you passionate and hopeful about the Men’s Services Program?
My passion comes from knowing I am part of an organization that believes in God, and allows me to follow the Holy Spirit in developing what is needed for our men. Being in the employment field for over 15 years, this is the first time I have had the opportunity to follow Christ in developing a program that will help His people get what He has laid out for them.
CLICK HERE to make a donation.
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Employer Information Breakfast
Friday, March 14 from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm
(Registration begins at 8:30 am)
402 N. St. Louis Ave., Chicago.
Local employers are invited to tour the new Breakthrough Ministry Center and hear about our services. The Illinois Department of Employment Security will discuss employment topics such as tax credits, bonding, and unemployment laws. The Department of Human Services will be available to discuss Earn Fare and how it assists local businesses in obtaining employees.
CLICK HERE to download the registration form.
Breakthrough Urban Ministries is always interested in locating living-wage jobs for our guests in Chicago. If you or anyone you know has information on job vacancies or opportunities, please contact Kevin Sellers at 773.430.0005 or ksellers@breakthroughministries.com.
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Behind the Scenes Tour
Monday, April 7 from 6-7 pm
Please join us for an exciting Behind The Scenes Tour of life at Breakthrough!
- Meet Arloa and our staff
- Hear life transforming testimonies
- Take a walking tour of our center
- Catch the vision of our future Breakthrough Campus
CLICK HERE for more information.
To reserve a spot, call 773.722.1144 x282 or email tour@breakthroughministries.com.
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Dr. Arloa Sutter, Executive Director
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It’s Worth It
For four long years we have been talking about the construction of our facility at 402 N. St. Louis that we are calling the Breakthrough Ministry Center. We had a groundbreaking ceremony and block party in the summer of 2006 when construction began.
Once we got into the construction phase it became clear that the work needed to include the replacement of several exterior walls that we had not anticipated and the project grew beyond our capacity to complete. It was a dark time for me. I knew God had led us to move forward and yet, I had no idea how we would ever be able to get this project completed.
By God’s grace and in what, to me, was a miraculous series of events, we received a commitment from the city for a million dollars to continue our work. After a six month delay, work resumed and this week our men and our administrative offices are moving into a building that far exceeds my expectations. It is worthy of the dignity of the men who are struggling to put their lives back together and it is a facility that will serve the community of East Garfield Park for generations to come.
To all of you who believed enough to roll up your sleeves and help us through your prayers, donations and volunteer efforts, we want to say a big
THANK YOU
!
Several weeks ago we gave the men a tour of the new building that has become their new home. Seeing the delight on their faces as we joined hands to sing the Doxology, and hearing their prayers of gratitude, put everything in perspective for me. It has been worth it all. Thank you Jesus!
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From all of the grateful Breakthrough residents, guests and staff, we say THANK YOU to everyone who gave generously and sacrificially to complete the vision of the
Breakthrough Ministry Center. Hundreds of individuals, foundations, churches and government agencies pulled together to create a sparkling new home for the homeless and a place of hope where adults can develop life-transforming skills.
CLICK HERE
for a complete list of donors who contributed to the Breakthrough Ministry Center Capital Campaign.
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Annual Benefit ‘08
Friday, November 7 at 6:30pm
Hyatt Regency, O’Hare
Save the date for this fall’s exciting Annual Benefit Dinner! Hear guest speaker Erwin McManus, special musical performances and a challenging message from Dr. Arloa Sutter.
CLICK HERE for more information. |
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