Homeless guests aid man having seizure

Homeless guests aid man having seizure North Park students' training comes in handy On Tuesday, Nov. 27, North Park University nursing students visited Breakthrough to train our homeless male guests in seizure response. That following Friday, their skills were......More >

Gratitude Weekend

Malnati's, Soul City deliver 700 Thanksgiving baskets to Breakthrough Most people expect pizzas to come out of......More >

12 Days

12 Days of Christmas comes to Breakthrough Breakthrough runs on all cylinders throughout the year, but at Christmastime, we're especially busy. Our 12 Days of Christmas invites you to participate in different volunteer opportunities, listed below. ......More >

Family donates Thanksgiving turkeys

Family makes anonymous Thanksgiving donation Every year, a family from South Barrington makes an anonymous donation of Thanksgiving baskets to a charitable organization. This year, they found Breakthrough....More >

Soup & Bread event to benefit Breakthrough

Breakthrough to benefit from GP Conservatory event Evening to feature gourmet soups from Chicago chefs The Garfield Park Conservatory is hosting a Soup &......More >

Breakthrough hosts shoe-distribution event

Big shoes to fill Breakthrough hosts shoe-distribution with Samaritan's Feet, NFL stars East Garfield Park community members were invited to come to Breakthrough on Saturday, Oct. 27, for a free pair of athletic shoes and socks, thanks to a partnership with......More >

Breakthrough's Young Writers:Avery Curry

BT Young Writers: My restaurant By Avery Curry, Breakthrough seventh-grader Opening a restaurant probably wouldn’t be my main dream, but if it was,......More >

2012 Benefit held Oct. 19

Annual benefit celebrates 20 years of service Breakthrough Urban Ministries hosted its annual benefit Friday, Oct. 19, at the Hyatt Recency O'Hare in......More >

Breakthrough's Young Writers: Frankie Hutchinson

BT Young Writers: If I was 20 feet tall, what would I do? By Frankie Hutchinson, Breakthrough seventh-grader If I was......More >

Manuel Scott speaks at Breakthrough benefit

Manuel Scott shares story of transformation His best friend was murdered. His abusive step-father was addicted to crack cocaine. And in high......More >

Fields to speak at Moody Missions Conference

Fields to speak at Moody Missions Conference Attendees of the Moody Missions Conference will hear Breakthrough’s Chief Program Officer Yolanda Fields......More >

Breakthrough receives 4-star rating

Breakthrough receives 4-star rating for fiscal responsibility Breakthrough Urban Ministries was recently rated a 4-star nonprofit by Charity......More >

Race Conversations begins Oct. 7

Join us: Race Conversations to kick off Sunday In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. described his idea of social justice to America. Nearly 50 years later, we're asking you: Are we still chasing after that dream? In our 7-session symposium, Race Conversations,......More >

Single Mother Finds Relief During Strike

Single mother finds relief at Breakthrough during CTU strike It was exactly a year ago when Sandra Gonzalez moved to Chicago from Albuquerque, New Mexico. With her 6-year-old twins and an 11-year-old in tow, Gonzalez was ready for a new life in a new city. But those......More >

Running Club speeds through Lawndale 5K

Update: Running Club speeds through Lawndale 5K Breakthrough's Running Club is off to a fast start this fall. The 50-plus kids put their training to good use Saturday, Sept. 22, at the Lawndale 5K, hosted by the Lawndale Christian Health Center. ...More >

Signature Room serves Breakthrough

Signature Room serves Breakthrough guests Cardel Reid is usually serving Chicago’s elite as sous chef of the Signature Room located in the Hancock Building downtown Chicago. ...More >

Emanuel speaks at Breakthrough

Mayor Emanuel visits Breakthrough to talk CPS strike with local parents Yolanda Porter generally has three major concerns: her kids, her job and her class schedule. But with the Chicago Public School teachers’ strike thrown into the mix, Yolanda has three......More >

Tribune interviews Bill Curry

Tribune interviews Breakthrough's CPO Breakthrough was featured in a Chicago Tribune article Wednesday, Sept. 12, as Chief Program Officer Bill Curry talked to Tribune reporters regarding the Chicago Public School teachers' strike and its effect on the East Garfield......More >

8th Grade Parents Night

A secondary look: Breakthrough parents learn about high school selection Students in suburban areas have probably heard their grandparents brag about the......More >

CPS Strike

Breakthrough responds to teachers' strike With the Chicago Public School teachers’ strike taking effect Monday, Sept. 10, Breakthrough has committed to opening its afterschool program three hours early throughout the duration of the strike. “We......More >

Word to get wise: Women's center hosts daily devotional

Word to get wise: Women’s center hosts daily devotional In the soft setting of Breakthrough's women's lounge, 15 women faced some hard questions.......More >

Summer Studies Offers a New Skill & So Much More

Summer Studies Offers a New Skill & So Much More It’s 8am on a warm summer Thursday morning as 11yr old Naima packs her swimsuit, flip flops and towel for a swim with her friends in the ...More >

What's on Your Nightstand? Part II

What's on Your Nightstand? Part II Check out what our staff is reading...and why! Gynger Garcia, Reading......More >

What's on Your Nightstand?

...More >

Kyle Korver Endorses Breakthrough as Funding Priority

Kyle Korver Endorses Breakthrough as Funding Priority Breakthrough recently sat down with Kyle Korver of the Chicago Bulls and his wife, Juliet Korver, to hear some of their thoughts on why they support Breakthrough. "A big part of my faith growing up was action and......More >

We Are Not Waiting for Superman

We Are Not Waiting for Superman Westinghouse College Prep Selects 3 Breakthrough Students Last winter we wrote about four students from Breakthrough's Nettie Bailey Student Achievement Program and the trials and tribulations they experienced applying to high schools. ......More >

Homeless Good Samaritan

Homeless Good Samaritan Homeless Man Gives Thousands to Down-On-Her-Luck Banker From the DailyGood: News That Inspires “May 13, 2011-- A year ago, everything was going right for a woman named Sandy: a good job at a bank in the suburbs and a safe home. But......More >

High School Acceptance

Breakthrough Partners with SEER Outfitters

Now Until Dec 31. Donate $50 and get a FREE SEER Outfitters Shirt designed by Kyle Korver of the Chicago Bulls. ...More >

An Unexpected Transformation

An Unexpected Transformation Breakthrough invited everyone to attend the Annual......More >

Community Threads

New Suburban Store Helps Benefit Breakthrough Do you have good clothes in your closet that you don’t wear anymore?  Or maybe you’ve always wanted to volunteer at Breakthrough but couldn’t spare time for the drive into the city? “There’s an......More >

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread (And Vegetables) Getting Food To Those Who Need It Breakthrough was created when a few church members began serving hot coffee and......More >

Leading by Example

Leading by Example Parents Pass On The Legacy of Involvement Corey and Tamica have already left an important legacy for their children, Keith, Lavondia, and Kevon. “I admire how they’ve set their kids up to be successful,” says Breakthrough’s......More >

Compassion On The Move

Compassion On The Move Retirees Continue To Answer God’s Call Jim and Susan have long followed God’s call, even when that meant finding a new home. In the mid-1990’s, they moved into Chicago from the suburbs, started attending the......More >

Happy New Year, Happy New Home

Happy New Year, Happy New Home On the last day of the year, as clocks all over Chicago counted down......More >

Good Connections

Good Connections Make A Difference This is the final installment in our year-long series on Breakthrough’s Network Model. This series featured many people who have played an important role in the life of......More >

Everyone Has Something To Offer

Everyone Has Something To Offer: Mentor & Friend, Bill Curry This is the ninth installment of our focus on Breakthrough’s Network Model. Lamar was 10 when he first met Bill, who is now the......More >

Nurturing Networks

Nurturing Networks To Sustain Youth: Thoughts from Marcie, Director Of Youth & Family Services This is the eighth installment of our focus on Breakthrough’s Network Model. Marcie had......More >

Passing On The Positive

Passing On The Positive DeShaun – Bible study leader, mentor and friend This is the seventh installment of our focus on Breakthrough’s Network Model. While the cycle of poverty, despair and violence still grips some families in communities......More >

Cabrini Green Legal Aid

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......More >

Lamar's Aunt, Wanda

Lamar's Aunt, Wanda This is the sixth installment of our focus on Breakthrough’s Network Model. Lamar has......More >

Mr. Wipachit.principal

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

Kevin-Pastor, Coach, Mentor

Kevin – Pastor, Coach and Mentor This is the fourth installment of our focus on Breakthrough’s Network Model. ...More >

Joshua 24/7

Joshua 24/7 Expanded Services Make A Positive Impact 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,......More >

Go Behind the Scenes

Go Behind the Scenes What does it really take to help children overcome barriers like poverty? Why is it so hard for homeless......More >

Tribute to Bette Ann Camacho

Tribute to Bette Ann Camacho by Elizabeth Laird 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......More >

Exploring Relationships That Work

In-depth with the Network Model A Year of Exploring Relationships That Work Breakthrough uses its Network Model to build a framework of caring relationships for youth and adults, providing them with......More >

09 Year in Reiview

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......More >

We Are Better Together

We Are Better Together (But It.s Not Always Easy!) 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......More >

Thankful this Season

Thankful . Even In Difficult TimesThe 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......More >

Sort Toys this Christmas

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......More >

A Wondrous Benefit

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,......More >

Tables Set For Miracles

The Tables Are Set For Miracles Table Hosts Experience The Power Of Small Sacrifices “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......More >

Library is a Community Resource

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......More >

New LaunchPAD Program

New LaunchPAD Program Volunteers needed to get initiative off the ground 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......More >

2009 Summer Studies Kicks Off

2009 Summer Studies Kicks OffEach 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......More >

Learning Economic Recovery

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......More >

Camp Fun Builds Life Skills

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...More >

Summer Program Opens Doors Of Opportunity

Summer Program Opens Doors Of Opportunity Needs Room To Expand 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......More >

The Spirit of Giving

Share the Spirit of Giving It’s a great joy to give gifts to others, and many of us feel that in abundance at Christmastime. Unfortunately, for many of Breakthrough’s guests and neighbors, holiday gift-giving brings on an added stress with little......More >