DreamBig Capital Campaign

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• Fitness: A Community Resolution

  Have you ever made a new years resolution to go to the gym or started a routine to get in shape for summer? We often create these resolutions because maintaining physical fitness takes hard work and discipline. And though we might complain about the difficulty of these resolutions, having the ability to fulfill them is both a luxury and a privilege. In Breakthrough’s target area, there are no public fitness centers, putting yet another obstacle in the way of life-long health.

  This is why Breakthrough is excited to introduce a state-of-the art fitness center for the East Garfield Park community. The FamilyPlex fitness center will be furnished with cardio and resistance equipment as well as fitness classes and a full basketball court. This is a much needed component of our facility as we seek to serve the needs of neighboring families.

  Heart disease and diabetes are both epidemics in America; both are associated with inactivity and obesity. This is especially true in African American communities. 60% of Illinois residents are considered overweight or obese based on body mass index with even higher rates of 75% among African Americans (cdc.gov). The fitness center is just one of the ways that Breakthrough is addressing these public health concerns in our community (more news to come about Breakthrough’s partnership with Lawndale Christian Health Centers).

  As the Dream Big Campaign continues we look forward to providing a space that helps people remove obstacles and achieve their fitness resolutions.

  POSTED BY clloyd ON 4:08 pm   No Comments, be the first!

• How It All Began…

  Voted one of the most up and coming neighborhoods in America in 2007 by Business Week, The East Garfield Park Community has benefited from a steady stream of community revitalization efforts provided by Breakthrough Urban Ministries. As Breakthrough expands its vision to build a state-of-the-art community center, the concept of the Breakthrough FamilyPlex is not one that was exclusively derived from the leadership of Breakthrough.

  Who would best know the needs of a community with a history of oppressed poverty, homelessness, prostitution, unemployed parents, poor performing schools, disjointed family violence, hunger and more?- THE COMMUNITY RESIDENTS who live it everyday, of course.

  The Breakthrough Board of Directors commissioned a feasibility study on the viability of a community center and what would best service the community. From that study, the ideas, programs and structure of the Breakthrough FamilyPlex were born of a strategic process which included a group of teenagers, a group of parents and a board commissioned community focused group.

  The results were phenomenal! A gym, drama room, computer lab, swimming pool, preschool, health facility, and a place where children can engage in productive activity with their parents safely watching them proved to be priority. With the exception of the swimming pool, these suggestions and recommendations have been integrated in the construction plans for the Breakthrough FamilyPlex! While a swimming pool is a great idea, Breakthrough elected to avoid unnecessary liability issues.

  
  

  POSTED BY dholt ON 8:17 pm   No Comments, be the first!

• Prayer and Persistence Paid Off in FamilyPlex Land Acquisition

  Historically, Breakthrough services and programs evolved out of a response to an expressed need from the community. Over the past 10 years, the need for youth and adult services in East Garfield Park increased and Breakthrough became challenged in its ability to accommodate the demand. Breakthrough addressed this demand by revisiting its geographic target area for outreach and set out to look for space that would meet those needs.

  After casing a host of Garfield Park area maps, which included a sea of vacant lots, one pushed pin in the dead center of a particular map confirmed the DreamBig FamilyPlex construction site. This site happened to be only two minutes away from the Breakthrough Joshua Center, current home of our Breakthrough youth programs.

  The land consists of 12 vacant lots of potential and opportunity to adequately serve the needs of youth and adults in the East Garfield Park community. Ministry participants were asked to pray that Breakthrough could acquire the land for the Breakthrough DreamBIG FamilyPlex. On a daily basis, various program participants assured us they were praying and made constant inquiries about the time table of the “BIG DREAMS” building.

  The land was identified as 3201 W. Carroll Ave. and was reserved for a church who had earmarked the space for a senior citizens’ service building. With persistence for clarification on the project, time lines and target dates for completion, Breakthrough Founder and Executive Director Arloa Sutter, contacted the alderman who eventually called the church representative to confirm their plans for the project. To Arloa’s surprise, the representative said, “they gave up on their plans a few years back”. That day, the Breakthrough Leadership and program participants witnessed God answer their prayers.

  Soon thereafter, the alderman gave his support for Breakthrough to proceed with plans to acquire the land. Construction plans were expedited to the city council and an ordinance was passed to award the development of the land to Breakthrough. The plans for construction of the DreamBIG FamilyPlex are well in motion!

  POSTED BY dholt ON 11:38 pm   No Comments, be the first!

• Why Do We Need a FamilyPlex? Why Now? (Part 2)

  Long before it was declared that “the U.S. economy is officially in a “recession”, Breakthrough Urban Ministries made the decision to address the needs of the Garfield Park community. The organization was incorporated to serve the neighborhood as a response to the needs of street people seeking assistance. At first, the focus was on meeting the simple survival needs of homeless persons. Breakthrough’s operation began by serving a daily lunch in a small storefront room. More needs arose out of the community with no respect to resources and Breakthrough knew it had to respond.

  The current state of our economy is a harsh reality to investors, employers and employees. Investors can’t invest in corporations, because corporations are not doing well due to low consumerism and consequently they have to lay off workers. Workers back off spending because hours of employment are cut or they are simply laid off; therefore the ability to make purchases and provide for family is minimized and so are profits for corporations. If consumers are not spending or not working companies are forced to raise prices or fold. This contributes to high unemployment- It’s a negative spiraling “domino effect”.

  Today, in our challenged economy, the needs of residents in the community are rapidly increasing. Where service programs are being cut and organizations are decreasing their efforts to meet these types of needs, Breakthrough is strengthening its resolve to address the growing needs of the community.

  Breakthrough’s decision to serve the East Garfield community was never contingent upon resources or the lack there of.

  Breakthrough’s solution to this increased demand for programs and services is to maintain its position on offering more holistic services by building a state of the art FamilyPlex. The Breakthrough FamilyPlex will provide a safe place for youth and their families to grow together and have access to networks of support in a place where faith is nurtured and celebrated. Breakthrough’s current programs are able to serve over 300 youth, but many are turned away, due to lack of space. The FamilyPlex will help serve over 1,000 children and provide so much more.

  Breakthrough Urban Ministries has determined that the youth of the East Garfield Park community deserves better than a community that is oppressed by poverty, homelessness, prostitution, unemployed parents, poor performing schools, disjointed family violence and hunger.

  Why Launch a campaign in the Middle of a recession?
  BECAUSE THE NEED IS HERE! THE NEED IS NOW!

  POSTED BY dholt ON 11:07 pm   No Comments, be the first!

• Why Do We Need a FamilyPlex? Why Now?

  FamilyPlex (defined) – a holistic integrated solution to a variety of inter-connected and long-lasting urban problems.

  There is a hierarchy of long-lasting problems plaguing the East Garfield Park community; from childcare and child development to adult illiteracy and adult unemployment. According to the Chicago Reporter, those socioeconomic characteristics are factors that contribute to the ongoing demise of a community with realistic potential. These characteristics, albeit negative, are real and require positive attention and resolution. Generally, resolutions for these types of concerns come in the form of social service programs.

  Social service programs are mostly run by not for profit groups, like Breakthrough Urban Ministries. Usually, needs are identified for services in a demographic area and the organization devises an effective and strategic plan for creative solutions. These solutions are well thought out, comprehensive and holistic.

  The social service programs offered by Breakthrough Urban Ministries motivate, encourage, and lend exposure to a renewed vision for functioning successfully in society. Unfortunately an economic down turn, much like the one we are experiencing today, challenges the premise of these types of programs and therefore impedes the progress for the reasons the programs were intended. The unfortunate outcome of unsupported programs offered by Breakthrough is the ongoing demise of a flailing community.

  We need a FamilyPlex NOW!

  POSTED BY dholt ON 4:54 pm   One Comment

• DreamBIG Kick Off Event Unites “DREAM” for E.Garfield

  Last Saturday’s DreamBIG Campaign Kick Off event started with exciting and energetic praise and worship music from Elaine Robinson and High Praise. The day progressed with Gospel selections from The New Landmark Baptist Church Youth Choir and The New Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church Youth Choir. Gospel 1390 radio DJ and Christian DJ Theo fostered a festive and celebratory atmosphere for over 1500 DreamBIG Stakeholders and Community residents.

  Attendees were excited as they participated in a host of entertaining activities, including supportive words of encouragement and 2 performances from Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White and the acrobatic gravity defying Jesse White Tumbling Team.

  Raffles, games, face painting, interactive activity stations and delicious food are just some of the benefits attendees received as a result of community residents, organizations and ministry partners connecting in the vision to “Dream Big”, raise money and raise awareness to build the Breakthrough FamilyPlex.

  IT WAS INDEED AN EXCITING TIME FOR ALL!

  Please consider how you can contribute to the DreamBIG capital campaign. Visit the Dream Big website (www.breakthrough.org/dreambig) weekly for DreamBIG updates

  POSTED BY dholt ON 8:54 pm   One Comment

• DreamBIG Capital Campaign Launch A Success!

  Breakthrough Urban Ministries would like to extend a special thanks to those who attended the Dream Big Capital Campaign launch last Saturday. Over 200 volunteers and over 1500 men, women and children, gathered in East Garfield Park Chicago at the corner of Carroll and Kedzie to celebrate and unite in the DreamBIG vision to build the Breakthrough FamilyPlex. You can check-out picture of the event on the Breakthrough Flickr page.

  Attendees engaged in fun, fellowship and a variety of games and activities. The event included performances from the popular Jesse White Tumblers and local choirs, raffles and interactive giveaways from WGRB radio host Pastor John Hannah, who served as MC.

  The honorable Jesse White, Illinois Secretary of State, Aldermen Ed Smith and Walter Burnette, and Vance Henry, Deputy for the city of Chicago, were among key local dignitaries present to express their support for the vision of the Breakthrough FamilyPlex.

  With the success of Saturday’s kick off, the DreamBIG capital campaign is officially launched! We are forging ahead with our Capital Campaign to make the Breakthrough FamilyPlex a reality. Please consider how you can contribute to the DreamBIG capital campaign. Visit the Dream Big website (www.breakthrough.org/dreambig) weekly for DreamBIG updates!

  Thanks again to everyone who made this event possible!

  POSTED BY dholt ON 9:32 pm   No Comments, be the first!

• Kick-Off Event May 15th: You’re Invited!

  Join us for a special Dream Big Kick-Off event on Saturday, May 15th from 10am to 4pm. The event will be held on the corner of Carroll and Kedzie, where the future Breakthrough FamilyPlex will be built. There will be live music, free food, and fun and games for the kids. There are also volunteer opportunities still available. To RSVP or to learn more, visit our event page. We hope to see you there!

  See available parking below:

  POSTED BY admin ON 7:47 pm   No Comments, be the first!

• Dream Big Video Countdown!

  Today we posted our first video, “When I Grow Up”, which takes a look at the dreams of the youth in our after school program – and what it will take for those dreams to come true. Each Wednesday leading up to the Dream Big Kick-Off Event (Are you coming? You should!) we will release a new video on this website, telling the story of the Dream Big campaign. There are five videos in total, so be sure to check back each week!

  POSTED BY admin ON 7:47 pm   No Comments, be the first!

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