Monday, October 22, 2012

Annual Benefit 2012 Recap & 40 Days of Discernment

The Annual Benefit Dinner was a wonderful event. It was great to see so many familiar faces and the Breakthrough youth choir was by far one of the highlights of the entire evening. (They really rocked it!)  ;)
At the Benefit, we were able to hear stories about many of the lives that Breakthrough has impacted throughout the organization, from a child in their preschool program that has been able to thrive under their care (and his parents too) to a at-one-point homeless woman who was able to find gainful employment and a caring network which helped her get back on her feet and all the ways Breakthrough Urban Ministries offers ministry to East Garfield Park and the surrounding community 24/7. Manuel Scott was a powerful speaker as well - and did I mention there were chocolate covered strawberries at every table? If you weren't able to make it this year, you can still donate online here. And remember to block your calendars early for next year's event. It's always worth the drive out to O'Hare.  ;)

As you may know, Breakthrough is working on a DreamBig campaign to raise funds for a 16 million dollar building in East Garfield Park that they're calling the FamilyPlex. This building will provide much-needed space in the community for everything from quality daycare, health services (partnering with Lawndale Christian Health Center) and fitness center facilities. Learn more about the FamilyPlex building and plans - and even donate to the project - by clicking here.

What you may not know is that although Breakthrough has been able to raise 13.4 million of the 16.5 million required (81%) to make the dream of the FamilyPlex a reality, they've been waiting on the last 3.1 million for awhile. And they're taking the next 40 days to pray and gain some discernment about what they should do next. Enter "40 Days of Discernment". This is a Facebook-based devotional and daily prayer time created to ask Breakthrough supporters to join in on these next steps. Here's some more info on 40 Days of Discernment.

To get involved, just:
1.) Visit facebook.com/Breakthrough40Days and click LIKE
2.) Keep an eye out for our daily posts in your feed. We'll be sharing prayers and stories regarding the FamilyPlex every day for 40 days straight.
3.) Please comment and tell us how you feel about the posts! We welcome opinions, suggestions for the plan and returned prayers.
4.) Ideally, make it point to visit the page every day so that you can be a part of the full experience.  
Thanks, everyone for your love and support of Breakthrough Urban Ministries and all the good work they're doing to love and serve our brothers and sisters in East Garfield Park.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Annual Benefit Dinner Keynote Speaker - Manuel Scott

Greetings, Breakthrough Volunteers -


Don't forget that the Annual Benefit Dinner is this Friday, 10/19! It's not too late to register for this fun event - just click here.
Below is some more information on one of the keynote speakers at the dinner, Manuel Scott. Even if you can't make it to the dinner, you can learn more about his inspiring story. You can also contribute to Breakthrough and their Dream Big compaign online here.
Thanks, everyone! Hope to see you Friday! :)
A
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Hello, benefit attendees!

Isn’t it nice to know a little bit about someone before you meet them? Well, lucky you! Before you hear our speaker Manuel Scott at the benefit on Friday, there are 3 easy ways to find out more about his role as one of the original Freedom Writers.

1.) Read Breakthrough’s story on Manuel Scott: http://bit.ly/V6SNJ9

2.) Watch the movie based on his experience, entitled "Freedom Writers." It's available for Netflix users at http://nflx.it/T0h85V and searchable from your local Blockbuster at http://bit.ly/Wn0fVy

3.) Visit Manuel’s website: www.manuelvscott.com

Can't wait to see you there!

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Email - Volunteer Updates - October 2012

Greetings, Wonderful Breakthrough Volunteers!

 
Did you know this is Breakthrough's 20th Anniversary? Help us celebrate by joining in the Annual Benefit Dinner on Friday, 10/19. Register today by clicking on this link.
 
And here are the regular volunteer updates for this month - take a minute or two to review the upcoming meal-serving opportunity for this month, as well as information for the DREAM BIG capital campaign and more details for the upcoming Annual Benefit Dinner. I hope to see you soon!
 
OCTOBER MEAL OPPORTUNITY
Here are the details for the meal serving op this month:
  • NO MEN'S SERVE THIS MONTH - We've been moving our household and preparing for Baby 2 - need to take a break from the meal-leading this month. But we should be back in fine style for next month's serve (pending baby 2's arrival, of course)
  • Friday, October 19th - Women's Facility (AKA Joshua Center). Rachel will continue to take the lead for this meal. Meet at the Joshua Center (3330 W Carrol Ave) at 7 PM. Usually done with meal serving by 9 PM.
As always, just let me know if you can make it to serve a meal so I can reserve a spot for you. Also - all volunteers need to fill out a Volunteer Application - let me know if you need one. And if you have any friends that are interested in Breakthrough, bring them too! The more, the merrier.
 
DREAM BIG - CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Breakthrough has been working on a campaign to make a huge difference in the lives of people living in Garfield Park by building the FamilyPlex - providing safe places to work out, go to community classes and even receive quality, affordable medical care by partnering with Lawndale Christian Health Center. For more information on the campaign, including status updates, and to see how you can get involved, click here.
 
ANNUAL BENEFIT DINNER
Friday, October 19th is the officially official date for this year's Annual Benefit Dinner. Mark your calendars and save the date! The theme for this year's benefit dinner is "Building on a Solid Foundation" and will feature Freedom Writer, Manuel Scott, and the Executive Director of Breakthrough, Arloa Sutter. Don & I will be there and would love to see you! For more information on this year's benefit dinner and to register, click here.

Annual Benefit Dinner is soon - Fri, 10/19! Register today!

I'm sharing a link to the official Sept/Oct e-newsletter from Breakthrough. This edition of the enewsletter has some exciting details about the upcoming Annual Benefit Dinner and an excerpt from Breakthrough's leader, Arloa Sutter:
There is much excitement in the air as we prepare for our biggest event of the year, the Breakthrough Annual Benefit, on Oct. 19. It is going to be amazing. We have a dynamic speaker, Manuel Scott, one of the original Freedom Writers. Here is a link to a sample of his speaking.
We are creating a video that will give an overview of all that happens at Breakthrough everyday. Twenty-four hours of the day, 365 days of the year, our doors are open and our staff and volunteers are here, extending the warmth of God’s love and providing a myriad of supportive services and educational opportunities for our students and guests. You will be inspired and challenged.

If you can’t be with us for the benefit, we will miss you, but don’t worry. You can still contribute here! We will put every penny to work on behalf of the people who come to us everyday.

On another note, we are seeking prayer warriors who will join us for “40 Days of Discernment” Oct. 22-Nov. 30. We are going to use this time to listen to God and to one another and to seek God’s will regarding how best to proceed with our plans to create space for preschool, health and education initiatives in the Breakthrough FamilyPlex. Please send me an email, asutter@breakthrough.org, if you would like to learn more. We welcome your feedback and partnership.

Arloa wrote a bit about the Annual Benefit Dinner in this latest newsletter. It's taking place this year on October 19th and promises to be a very inspirational night. The Bratschies are planning to be there and hope you can make it too!


Thanks, everyone! See you at the Benefit!
A

(ps - the monthly email will be out shortly. don't worry - you haven't missed it yet.)

(pps - Don & I aren't hosting a table this year, but we will be there! Let us know if you're going so we can look for you!)