Breakthrough's Official November Newsletter

November 2010

Ministry Focus  a look into the impact of Breakthrough

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 money to spare. More >>

In All Things, Being Thankful

Although she will not spend Thanksgiving with her own family this year, Donna will not be alone. She also has much gratitude to express. “I praise God that I’m not still using drugs,” she says. “I praise God for the air I breathe. I am thankful for the people who have been placed in my path to help me and remind me of where I’ve been and how much God loves me.”

Donna has been a guest in Breakthrough Urban Ministries’ Interim Housing program for just over a month. She is grateful to have a safe, nurturing place to stay while she continues to put her life in order.

More >>

The Latest

Good Food And Conversation…

It’s Not Just For Thanksgiving!

Myriame, a guest in Breakthrough’s Interim Housing program, has fond memories of family Thanksgivings in South Dakota. “My dad’s side of the family was large, so there were lots of us around the table. We’d spend the day playing sports…tackle football, basketball, croquet – all kinds of things,” she says. “And we always had plenty of great food.” More >>

LOOKING TO SUPPORT THE BREAKTHROUGH INTERIM HOUSING PROGRAM?
The following are urgent needs in each center:

• Towels (bath and face towels)
• Linen-blankets, sheets, pillows (twin size)
• Socks, gloves, hats, scarfs
• Foot and hand warmers
• Toiletries (soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste)

Outreach:

• snacks (hot chocolate packs, chips, cookies, water)
• gloves, hats, scarfs

All donations can be dropped off at the Breakthrough Ministry Center (402 N St. Louis)

GET INVOLVED

Upcoming Volunteer Engage Events

 Thursday, December 2nd, 6-7pm**: Prayer gathering, focusing on Breakthrough’s programs. (**Prayer gatherings will always occur the first Thursday of the month, from 6-7pm, at the Breakthrough Ministry Center.)

This Month’s Volunteer Focus: Holiday Service Events

Thanksgiving Baskets through the Fresh Market

While Thanksgiving is a time of joyful celebration for the many blessings in our lives, pulling together a Thanksgiving supper with all the trimmings can often be expensive.

This year, the Breakthrough Fresh Market will distribute over 400 Thanksgiving baskets into the community.  On Saturday, November 20th, volunteers will gather to assemble the baskets from 10am-12pm.  The baskets will then be distributed through the Fresh Market from 1pm-4pm.

You can help out by serving as a volunteer that Saturday, or by donating items for the baskets.

Items needed include:

• 14 lb turkeys
• 1 oz packages of brown gravy
• 15 oz cans of corn
• 5 oz boxes of cornbread stuffing mix
• 16 oz cans of cranberry sauce
• 13 oz packages of instant mashed potatoes
• 15 oz cans of yams

All donations can be dropped off at the Breakthrough Ministry Center (402 N St. Louis) by Wednesday, November 17th.

The 12 Days of Christmas

The holiday season is a time when many people’s thoughts turn to serving in their community.  In an effort to provide small groups, offices, churches and social groups an opportunity to serve together, Breakthrough has put together our Twelve Days of Christmas, offering twelve different service opportunities throughout the holiday season.  Learn more about these opportunities.

Volunteer Needs

To make our “12 Days of Christmas” a success, we need you, your family, your small group or your office to be involved!  Opportunities range from hosting a Christmas party to helping to sort and price gifts.
The Fresh Market is also currently looking for volunteers who can help with the online registration of Fresh Market guests.  Hours are negotiable.

For more information about these volunteer opportunities or others, please contact Liz at volunteer@breakthrough.org.

How You Can Pray:

 Prayers for East Garfield Park and Chicago:

• That the love and peace of Christ would rule in East Garfield Park.
• God would meet the physical needs of warm clothing and shelter for our homeless day guests.
• Breakthrough staff and volunteers would reach out to the local senior adults building, especially to those with no family.
• Donors and friends would continue to consider Breakthrough for their year-end giving.
• God would mend and heal broken relationships.
• God would continue to develop a spirit of community among and between residents of East Garfield Park and Breakthrough.

 Prayers for Staff and Volunteers:

• Peace for staff and volunteers during the “rush” of the holiday season.
• Breakthrough would demonstrate the love of Christ to our guests and neighbors in this season of joyfulness.
• Volunteers would consider how they can commit to serving on a regular basis, not just for the holidays.
• Breakthrough would collect enough Thanksgiving and Christmas food items for our holiday baskets, as well as items for our Breakthrough Christmas Store.
• God would give great vision to the Breakthrough leadership team for 2011.

 For more information on how you can get plugged in as a volunteer at Breakthrough, contact Liz at volunteer@breakthrough.org or 773.346.1771.