Cabrini Green Legal Aid

Breakthrough is happy to announce a new partnership with Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA). East Garfield Park residents will now have access to free legal aid every first and third Tuesday of the month at the Breakthrough Ministry Center, where More >

Lamar's aunt, Wanda

Lamar has received a lot of love and support from his family, including his aunt, Wanda. “I had a lot of...More >

Mr. Wipachit—principal

Besides the coaches, tutors, mentors and family members in his network of support, Lamar includes his high school principal, Mr. Wipachit.

Mr. Wipachit leads a team of faculty and administrators who foster an...More >

Kevin – Pastor, Coach and Mentor

This is the fourth installment of our focus on Breakthrough’s Network Model.

Kevin understands the great need for...More >

Joshua 24/7

It’s been just over a year since the Breakthrough Joshua Center expanded hours to become operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week – even in the face of a tough economy. Until the beginning of 2009, Breakthrough’s facility for women closed shortly after lunch and did not reopen until early...More >

Go Behind the Scenes

What does it really take to help children overcome barriers like poverty? Why is it so hard for homeless persons to get back on their feet? Find out when you take a Behind...More >

Tribute to Bette Ann Camacho

Bette Ann Camacho didn’t know what to expect when her daughter-in-law, Kathy Jo Camacho, first invited her to help serve breakfast at Breakthrough’s Joshua Center.

Born on May 8, 1939, Bette Ann grew up on the Northwest side of Chicago. She raised two fine children, was married for over fifty years and...More >

In-depth with the Network Model

Breakthrough uses its Network Model to build a framework of caring relationships for youth and adults, providing them with support and opportunities they would not otherwise have. It is a groundbreaking approach to providing...More >

Breakthrough Moves Forward In 2009

In a difficult year when several Chicago nonprofits and service providers were forced to close their doors, Breakthrough Urban Ministries has not cut a single staff position or cut back on any of our services. This is all thanks to your continued and generous support.

We have much to praise God about for the way we’ve been provided...More >

We Are Better Together

Antonio Daniels is a case manager and life coach at Breakthrough Urban Ministries. He came on staff just a year ago, but already Tony’s life has been changed in ways that he wasn’t counting on. In this season of reflection, he examines the gift of learning from Breakthrough’s guests, staff and supporters....More >

Thankful – Even In Difficult Times

The holidays can be an especially difficult time for many, including people who have no family or are estranged from their family. But many guests at Breakthrough Urban Ministries still have much to say about what they are thankful for.

Dorise was able to keep her family together and gain a stronger support system. “I am a single mother, and...More >

Spread Christmas Joy By Sorting Toys!

Breakthrough volunteers are gearing up for the Annual Christmas Store. This year’s event will be Saturday, December 19th at the Breakthrough Ministry Center. The Store provides a festive environment where shelter guests and neighborhood residents can purchase gifts for...More >

A Wondrous Event

Thanks to everyone who attended our Annual Benefit on Friday night, October 30th. Together we raised over $877,000 to support life-changing work in the city.

Praise God!

Also, in case you missed it, take a look at the Breakthrough Network Model video.

The Tables Are Set For Miracles

“Table hosting is the most significant way we can be a part of the ministry,” says Keith Sunahara. Keith and his wife, Janice, have been table hosts at Breakthrough Urban Ministries’ Annual Benefit for the past five years. “Right now, our schedules and distance...More >

New Library Is a Rich Community Resource

A reading bug has spread through families who visit the Breakthrough Joshua Center. Throughout the day, many residents of East Garfield Park visit the second floor library, which opened last January. For a neighborhood that has long struggled with poverty, it is an important resource, an oasis to explore new things.

“What sticks...More >

New LaunchPAD Program

This fall, five young men from Chicago’s west side will take an important step forward as they move into apartments at the Breakthrough Ministry Center and begin an 18-month journey of personal development called LaunchPAD. The new program encourages 18-24 year olds to maintain and further develop...More >

2009 Summer Studies Kicks Off

Each July, Breakthrough Urban Ministries offers Summer Studies, a program for youth in K-8th grades. “It’s a great chance to focus on particular topics and enrichment type activities,” says K-5th Grade Academic Coordinator, Andrea Jensen. “We’re able to offer learning opportunities that we can’t get to during the school year.”

Students break...More >

Learning Economic Recovery From The Ground Up

“We want to explore community and our relationship to it,” says 6-12th Grade Academic Coordinator, Seth El-Jamal. “Our young people know what it’s like to live in a neighborhood that struggles. We want them to become agents of change, and we believe...More >

Summer Camp Fun Builds Life Skills

There is discontent in the Robinson household, and the loudest voice belongs to 10 year old, Genesis. “She wrote a very long paper addressed to me on why I should let her miss the first week of school to attend Camp Timber-lee,” says mom, Crystal. “The kids love camp, but I can’t let them miss school!”

This August, nearly...More >

Summer Program Opens Doors Of Opportunity

Since Brenda and her husband work full time, they were thankful to find a summer academic program for their children to attend. Brenda attends school full time and will graduate in December with a degree in criminal justice. She also works part time, and her husband works full-time.

Connections Make The Difference

Leo’s success is proof of the power of networking. It also helps that he’s willing to be flexible. “I’ll do general labor, construction…you name it,” says Leo. “Not everyone wants to work for $6 or $7 an hour, but I will. In the long run, it adds up, and sometimes those are the jobs that help pay the...More >

A Legacy of Faith

Even though her two children are grown, Valerie wants to leave a legacy to them which demonstrates the power of God’s compassion and grace in her life. “I’ve made a lot of bad choices, and I’ve...More >

Ending Hunger, Restoring Dignity

Nobody understands the shame that can be associated with a “handout” better than some of Breakthrough’s Fresh Market volunteers. “All of the Three Crosses of Calvary volunteers have experienced poverty or hunger either directly or indirectly,”...More >

Park Community Church

Manna Ministry Volunteers provide warm and nutritious meals for Breakthrough’s adult guests. But as Benson, a Manna Ministry volunteer, can attest, there’s more to meal service than good food. Most of the time, he...More >

Following God’s Call To Be Transformed

Roz obeyed when she felt God tug on her heart one day, and she hasn’t been quite the same since. Listening to Moody Bible’s radio station, she heard...More >

Food Program Is Life Giving – For All

Volunteering with Breakthrough’s Fresh Market has forever changed Ellen’s life. Ellen, a senior at Wheaton College, has been a volunteer with the program since its Grand Opening last year. She and other volunteers perform operational tasks that make the dynamic food...More >

Life Lessons Through Sports

Matt is a volunteer coach with Breakthrough’s youth sports leagues. Once a week during football and basketball seasons, he helps his team prepare for and play a game. More...More >

Teaching Skills through Robotics

Bob Woodley is a pretty tech-savvy guy. “Believe it or not, I first learned about Breakthrough by following Arloa Sutter on Twitter!” After a bit of dialogue with some of Breakthrough’s staff, Bob knew exactly where he could use his skills: working with the Breakthrough youth to develop a...More >

Ryan, Baseball Coach and Mentor

This is the third installment of our focus on Breakthrough’s Network Model.

Volunteering as a coach for Breakthrough’s Youth and Family Services Program has forever altered...More >

Lamar’s Network

This is the second installment of our focus on Breakthrough’s Network Model. For the first article, an overview...More >

Freeing Sandra

At 40, Sandra continues her lifelong struggle to be on her own – but safe in God’s care. It is a conflict that began even before she was born. Just as God knows people and forms...More >

Experience Is Sweet Success For Students

Every time people buy snacks or drinks from a vending machine at Breakthrough, they support a piece of hands-on education for a group of older students in the...More >

Community Groups Help Eliminate Isolation

One major goal for Breakthrough’s guests is to move from transitional housing into permanent housing. In other words, they want to move out of Breakthrough’s Dwelling Place.

But while getting out on their own again is something that they look...More >

Volunteer Trades In His Blackberry

Like so many others, Aram has felt the pressure of unemployment. “It felt like a circus of producing resumes, sitting through interviews and waiting…lots of waiting,” says Aram. Finally, his stress hit an apex. “I was given a verbal offer by a very well-known company, but after a long time with no formal...More >

Breakthrough COO Inducted Into Leadership Greater Chicago

Bill Curry, Chief Operating Officer of Breakthrough Urban Ministries, was recently accepted into the 2010 Class of Leadership Greater Chicago. The organization, formed in 1983, brings together a diverse segment of Chicago area leaders from top...More >

Home Court Brings Community Together

On Friday nights this summer, the play lot at St. Louis and Carroll in East Garfield Park is being transformed. Like too many open spaces in Chicago’s tougher neighborhoods, the lot has a reputation of not being a safe...More >

Making Employment Connections Work

Growing up in some of Chicago’s toughest neighborhoods, Purnell could easily have gotten involved in gangs. In fact, the young man made a few bad choices a few years ago. “I got sidetracked around my junior year in high school,” he says. In the end, though,...More >