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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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

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!

See available parking below: