For the last 30 years, Breakthrough has provided housing and essential services to thousands of individuals experiencing homelessness. As a case manager at the Women’s Center, Barbara has walked alongside women experiencing homelessness for 16 years.

“A lot of people ask me what my title is, and I always say I don’t have a title because I help in all areas, being someone to talk to, someone to cry with, someone to get them medical help if they need it, or someone just to show them love,” Barbara said. “I will always be grateful that God has given me an opportunity to show love to his people.”

Pat, a guest at the Breakthrough Women's Center, smiles for a photo with Case Manager Barbara.
Pat, a guest at the Breakthrough Women’s Center, with Case Manager Barbara.

Pat, a guest at the Breakthrough Women’s Center, has valued her partnership with Barbara on her journey to stability. Pat arrived at the Women’s Center in a moment of crisis, but her health has improved during the six-month program. “I’ve gotten back to being mobile because I wasn’t. My health was failing and now it’s better,” she said. “The programs here are so important and so helpful and uplifting. I want to go home, but the blessing is that I can always come back for resources.”

“Barbara and I connect on the same level. I don’t have to put all my story out there for her to understand; she gets it,” Pat said. “We’ve built a great rapport and I can trust her.”

1 Corinthians 3:5-9 says one person has the task of planting the seed and another person waters it, but it is God who makes it grow. Barbara says she is grateful to be part of the watering and planting. In our collaborative work to create a thriving Garfield Park community, Barbara plays an important part in the writing of our shared history.