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High School Acceptance
To Which Kind of High Schools Will Students Apply?
Charter schools
Students can apply to a lottery for the charter schools of their choice. Charter schools often specialize in an area of study like math or fine arts. They receive some amount of public money per student, but additional funding comes from private sources. As such, they are not subject to all the same rules...More >
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 >