December Men's BIG Serve 2013 - Well done!

Our first BIG serve for this year was a blast! I think it may have even been our best Men's BIG Serve yet! A huge THANK YOU to all the wonderful volunteers who came out on December 12th to show and share the love of God with the guys staying at Breakthrough by helping us play restaurant. We had just about 30 people come out to make our restaurant-style serve possible.

We had a clever hostess, attentive waitstaff, fast runners, an expedient expediter, skilled grillers, talented kitchen staff and we even had a restaurant strategist/consultant! We carefully decorated the dining area with table settings, runners and votive candles to make sure the ambiance was perfect! I think it's fair to say that by the end of the night, all the guests at Breakthrough left feeling loved. Well done, volunteers!

If any one of these people is looking for a restaurant job, you should hire them immediately.  I'm totally serious.

The whole reason we do our BIG Serve each year is to give the guests at Breakthrough a special gift during a time when many feel alone (or away from loved ones) and are acutely aware of their homeless circumstance. However, even though we want to be a blessing, we almost always walk away at the end of the night feeling more blessed ourselves. This year's BIG Serve was no exception.

After being seated and handed their menus, the guests at Breakthrough's men's facility were able to choose their favorite morsels from a delicious menu of steak, shrimp and an assortment of amazing side dishes and desserts. The guys we were serving had a really great time - they lingered longer than usual and took their time dining and truly enjoying the experience and the atmosphere of celebration. I heard lots of compliments from the guests (even applause at one point - maybe I'm just assuming that was meant as a compliment), and we had one gentleman tell us we should open a real restaurant!

Some of our awesome kitchen staff! These guys know what they're doing!

Way to go, volunteers! You're the best!

*Note - to respect the privacy of the guests staying at Breakthrough, we do not post their pictures without their express permission. As much as I would love to post pictures of the guys enjoying their meals, you'll have to take my word for it.  ;)

Email - Volunteer Updates - December 2013

Greetings, Breakthrough Volunteers!

It's December and that means that it's prime time for volunteering at Breakthrough! This month is some of our biggest events of the year, the BIG serves! Read on for more info and to sign up! Also, if you've been waiting for the perfect opportunity to invite your friends to volunteer with you, this is it! We need everyone we can get to make the BIG serves happen! So come on out with us and brighten someone's holiday season!  :)

December is also time for Breakthrough's Christmas Store - they need lots of gift donations, so please consider perusing their wish list for the Christmas Store and see if there's something you'd like to give!  :)

DECEMBER MEAL OPPORTUNITIES - BIG SERVES!!!

We think Christmas is a big deal. Mostly because that's when we celebrate the birth of Jesus and we think He's a pretty big deal. So -  we love to share the love, joy and peace of Christmas with our friends staying at Breakthrough by making our serving opportunities in December BIG serves! 

• Men's Facility Serve - Thursday, 12/12 (402 N St. Louis) -  The BIG Serve for the guys means we serve them restaurant-style, including waitstaff and menus with choices of steak and/or shrimp and lots and lots of options for side dishes and desserts. We need volunteers, cash donations for the shrimp and steak, and folks to bring all the sides, desserts and little things that make this event a success. To sign up as a volunteer and/or to bring something, click here. 
• Women's Serve - Friday, 12/20 - (3330 W Carrol Ave) For the ladies (Fri 12/20), the BIG Serve means a classy, comfortable party with options for making gifts (decorating sugar cookies and picture frames are some great projects from previous years), listening to soul-filled holiday music and enjoying flavorful holiday bites. To sign up to volunteer, click here. Be sure to note if you can bring something extra, lead a craft or maybe even help provide some music! ;)

This month, we're trying something a little bit different with sign-ups. Instead of just replying and letting me know that you'll be going, use the links above under each meals description to sign up - it's easier for us to keep straight who can bring what or take charge of what craft, etc. and it's easier for you to invite your friends and loved ones to share in the love! But of course, if you have any problems or questions - let me know!

CHRISTMAS STORE
Want to participate, but can't help us with our BIG Serves? Every year, Breakthrough hosts a Christmas Store which provides families in Chicago's East Garfield Park neighborhood, as well as Breakthrough's homeless guests, a dignified way to purchase gifts for their loved ones. Through generous donations, those who shop in the Breakthrough Christmas Store are able to purchase new items at a discounted rate, or through the "Breakthrough Bucks" program. 

Breakthrough needs lots of donations to make the store happen. The biggest items on their Christmas Store wish list are basic necessities like socks, slippers and coats. Here's their complete Wish List:

• underwear, socks and slippers
• winter coats and boots
• hats, gloves and scarves
• foot and hand warmers
• toys, games, play-doh sets and legos
• nerf basketball hoops
• children's movies
• electronics: mp3 players and ipods
• sports balls and equipment
• gift wrapping supplies: tape, scissors, gift tags, sharpies ribbons and wrapping paper

This year's Christmas Store is scheduled for Saturday, 12/14.  Please deliver unwrapped gift and any wrapping supplies to the Breakthrough Ministry Center (402 N St. Louis Ave, Chicago, IL 60624) by 9 PM on Wednesday, 12/11 - you can also bring it with you to our BIG serve on Thursday, if you're volunteering for the Men's BIG Serve. (They also have an Amazon wish list on their site if you'd rather deliver it straight there - how convenient!) Need more info? Check out the complete details for the Christmas Store on Breakthrough's website here.

BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR
Breakthrough is a robust organization and they have lots of ways to get involved in all of the different things they do - like homeless intervention, fresh market, job readiness training and even kids programs. You should really come out to one of their Behind the Scenes Tours to learn more about the many ways that Breakthrough is reaching out to folks living on the west side of Chicago. Tours are on the first Monday of each month. For more information or to register for the tour,click here.

Thanks, everyone! Hope to see you soon!
Love and Hugs!

Help Make a Thanksgiving Basket for families in Chicago!

Family Serving Experience
Soul City is excited to partner with Lou Malnati's and Breakthrough Urban Ministries to help provide more than 1000 Thanksgiving dinner baskets for under-resourced families across Chicago. You can help by joining us at the Lou Malnati's warehouse to help pack baskets and by donating to provide a basket.

• Saturday, November 23 from 9.00a - 11.00a
• at Lou Malnati's Warehouse (3685 Woodhead Drive, Northbrook, IL 60062)
• The whole family is invited to pack baskets! Click here to sign up.
• Click here to donate a basket.

Email - Volunteer Updates - November 2013

Greetings, Wonderful Breakthrough Volunteers!
November is a time for thankfulness and love. (And volunteering at Breakthrough).

NOVEMBER MEAL OPPORTUNITIES

Our November serves are back-to-back. That happens every so often because of how the calendar dates fall. You don't need to come out to both, but please consider joining us for one. Here are the dates for this month's regularly scheduled serving opps:

• Men's Facility Serve - Thursday, 11/14 (402 N St. Louis) - Build your own burritos is the name of this month's meal. It's fun and delicious.  ;)
• Women's Serve - Friday, 11/15 - (3330 W Carrol Ave) We need help in the kitchen and also would like to start the music or craft time back up again too. Let me know if you're game to lead a craft or play an instrument to lead a round of singing.

As always, just let me know if you're interested in and able to join us for a meal serve and I'll save a spot for you. And if you're able to pitch in $10 to help cover the cost of groceries, perfect! If not, that's cool too. Just come out. Seriously.

SAVE THE DATE - BIG SERVES 2013!

We think Christmas is a big deal. Mostly because that's when we celebrate the birth of Jesus and we think He's a pretty big deal. So -  we love to share the love, joy and peace of Christmas with our friends staying at Breakthrough by making our serving opps in December BIG serves! For the guys (Thurs 12/12), that means we serve them restaurant-style, including waitstaff and menus with choices of steak and/or shrimp and lots and lots of options for side dishes and desserts. For the ladies (Fri 12/20), that means a classy, comfortable party with options for making gifts (decorating sugar cookies and picture frames are some great projects from previous years), listening to soul-filled holiday music and enjoying flavorful holiday bites. We need ALL the help we can get to make the BIG SERVES happen. So mark your calendars and start signing up to come out and maybe even bring a dish! Tell your friends about it too!  

BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR
Don & I liked to introduce folks to Breakthrough through the Manna (or meal-serving) opportunities. I say "introduce" because Breakthrough is a pretty robust organization and they have lots of ways to get involved in all of the different things they do - like homeless intervention, fresh market, job readiness training and even kids programs. You should really come out to one of their Behind the Scenes Tours to learn more about the many ways that Breakthrough is reaching out to folks living on the west side of Chicago. Tours are on the first Monday of each month. For more information or to register for the tour,click here.

Thanks, everyone! Hope to see you soon!
Love and Hugs!

Amanda!

Ps - want off my mailing list? no problem! just let me know!

Email - Volunteer Updates - October 2013

Greetings, Wonderful Breakthrough Volunteers!
It's October. And although that does mean everything pumpkin spice, it also means the Annual Benefit dinner is right around the corner. We really hope you'll be able to join us and maybe even sit at our table!

OCTOBER IS SPECIAL! 

We usually offer a couple of different opportunities to let your inner foodie out by serving a meal with our fabulous meal-leading teams. But this month is different. Instead of our standard meal serve times, we'd really like for you to come out to this year's Annual Benefit Dinner instead. So - just to be clear - NO MEAL SERVES THIS MONTH.

ANNUAL BENEFIT DINNER - FRIDAY, 10/18

Breakthrough's Annual Benefit Dinner is scheduled for Friday, October 18th. The theme for this year is Rise and Create Change. It's always a great event and to sweeten the deal, Don and I are hosting a table - so you can come out and share a meal with us when none of us have to be sweating it out in the kitchen!  :)   

A few quick details: 

• Dinner is free, but Breakthrough will ask for donations as part of the event. 
• And here's a snippet about the event from Breakthrough's website: 

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. to a gallery space spearheaded by Breakthrough’s Creative Arts and Science coordinator, Amy Coles. At 7 p.m., attendees will enter the ballroom, where they’ll be served dinner and experience the evening’s artistic production: featuring speakers, live performances and video depictions of moments in the lives of our community. Violinist Daniel Davis will also perform. Davis can be found on YouTube at Daniel Davis on YouTube.

• Get more info on this year's Annual Benefit and register yourself (and your favorite friend) here. You're welcome to join us at our table, just chose "Bratschie" from the drop-down menu when you're filling out your registration.

BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR
We to introduce folks to Breakthrough through the Manna (or meal-serving) opportunities. I say "introduce" because Breakthrough is a pretty robust organization and they have lots of ways to get involved in all of the different things they do - like homeless intervention, fresh market, job readiness training and even kids programs. Feel free to come out to one of their Behind the Scenes Tours to learn more about the many ways that Breakthrough is reaching out to folks living on the west side of Chicago. Tours are on the first Monday of each month. For more information or to register for the tour,click here.

Note from Breakthrough | Breakthrough eNews October 2013

LEADER'S BRIEF

Arloa Sutter, Founder & Executive Director

Rise and Create Change

I love the theme of our benefit this year, RISE AND CREATE CHANGE. It has been so much fun planning for this event. Just thinking about it every day has helped me to get up in the morning and engage in the hard work of community transformation with renewed commitment and energy. You are NOT going to want to miss this year’s event. This year’s benefit will challenge you in a way that will make you a better person. We all need that motivation!

We received our building permit for the Breakthrough FamilyPlex last week. We will soon be closing on the financing and moving into the construction phase. Please pray with us that the work will be completed without setbacks. We are constantly aware of how much we need this new space. My heart breaks over the children and the homeless who we have to turn away every day because we do not have the space or the resources to engage them.

As we ramp up our capacity for this expanded space, we need you more than ever to join with us to “Rise and Create Change”. If for some reason you cannot join us for our benefit on October 18th, please consider making a gift today to help us reach our goal of $750,000. Please make a pre-benefit gift here. Thank you so much for your support.

THE LATEST

Violinist phenom to perform at annual benefit

The first time Daniel D swept a bow across a violin he was just 12 years old. Now that he’s doubled his age, he’s more than doubled his musical accomplishments.
Daniel D, 24, will perform at Breakthrough’s Annual Benefit on Oct. 18 as the featured live entertainer of the night. Hailing from Charleston, SC, he has a resume that stretches from opening artist for President Barack Obama’s president campaign to head of his church on Sunday morning… MORE >>

ANNUAL BENEFIT 2013

What’s so special about the annual benefit?

On Friday, Oct. 18, we want you to join us for a night that focuses on one thing: creating change.
It’s easy to lose sight of why you volunteer, donate or simply even read this newsletter, but at Breakthrough, it’s our mission to bring a new normal to East Garfield Park. To rise up and create change in a neighborhood that’s been neglected.
Will you join us as we tell the families who feel forgotten: we are here to help.

Will you reach out to Chicago’s homeless adults and tell them, “You aren’t in this alone.”?

For one night, we’re asking you to meet us for dinner and a special production that will rejuvenate your heart for Breakthrough and Chicago’s west side. We’re preparing a special production for you to enjoy that will give you a close look at what happens day-after-day.

Don’t miss your chance to be a part of something big with Breakthrough. Save your seat at the 2013 Annual Benefit and join us on Friday, Oct. 18.

Event Details:
7-9 p.m.
Friday Oct. 18
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Marriott Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel
1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg

Free onsite parking is available.

 

CHEERING SECTION

VIDEO: Running Club volunteers at Chicago Half-Marathon

SAVE THE DATE: OCT. 18

Register for the annual benefit

DETAIL ORIENTED?

Learn more about the benefit

GIVE JOYFULLY

Our fall giving guide is up

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

The Breakthrough Running Club kicked off last month with its first weekly run at Humboldt Park. See more photos of the club.

    

Email - Volunteer Updates - September 2013

Greetings, Wonderful Breakthrough Volunteers!
We hope September has been treating you well so far! We also hope we get to see your smiling face soon!  :)

SEPTEMBER MEAL OPPORTUNITIES

Here are the dates for this month's regularly scheduled serving opps:

• Men's Facility Serve - Thursday, 9/12 (402 N St. Louis) - We're thinking something cajun. Maybe? Anyway - I'll be traveling for work and Don will be at this alone. And we'll need help to pull it off. So please, please, please come out and help.  :)
• Women's Serve - Friday, 9/20 - (3330 W Carrol Ave) We tried some delicious sub sandwiches last month that the ladies seemed to really enjoy. Have suggestions for this month? Just let me know! :)

As always, just let me know if you're interested in and able to join us for a meal serve and I'll save a spot for you. And if you're able to pitch in $10 to help cover the cost of groceries, perfect! If not, that's cool too. Just come out. Seriously.

SAVE THE DATE!

Breakthrough's Annual Benefit Dinner is scheduled for Friday, October 18th. The theme for this year is Rise and Create Change. It's always a great event and to sweeten the deal, Don and I will probably be hosting a table - so you can come share a meal with none of us in the kitchen!  :)   Get more info on this yea'rs Annual Benefit here.

BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR
Don & I liked to introduce folks to Breakthrough through the Manna (or meal-serving) opportunities. I say "introduce" because Breakthrough is a pretty robust organization and they have lots of ways to get involved in all of the different things they do - like homeless intervention, fresh market, job readiness training and even kids programs. Feel free to come out to one of their Behind the Scenes Tours to learn more about the many ways that Breakthrough is reaching out to folks living on the west side of Chicago. Tours are on the first Monday of each month. For more information or to register for the tour,click here.

Thanks, everyone! Hope to see you soon!
Love and Hugs!

Amanda!

Ps - want off my mailing list? no problem! just let me know!

Email - Volunteer Updates - August 2013

Greetings, Wonderful Breakthrough Volunteers!

Welcome to August, everyone. There's a really exciting event happening this month -  the groundbreaking ceremony for Breakthrough's FamilyPlex building! This building has been a long-time coming, providing much needed services and support for the Garfield Park neighborhood, and this event will definitely be a celebration! A huge Praise God for His great work on the west side! 

And with all this excitement, don't forget that our Breakthrough guests still need to eat! There's plenty to do and we always need the help, so come on out to one or both of this month's meal-serving opportunities too.  :) 

AUGUST MEAL OPPORTUNITIES

Here are the dates for this month's regularly scheduled serving opps:

• Men's Facility Serve - Thursday, 8/8 (402 N St. Louis) - The menu hasn't been decided yet, but trust that it will be delicious. Let me know if you want to get involved!  :)
• Women's Serve - Friday, 8/16 - (3330 W Carrol Ave) We tried some delicious sub sandwiches last month that the ladies seemed to really enjoy. Have suggestions for this month? Just let me know! :)

As always, just let me know if you're interested in and able to join us for a meal serve and I'll save a spot for you.

WANT TO GET YOUR COOK ON? LIKE FOR REALSIES?

Do you watch food network 24/7? Have fabulous ideas for feeding roughly 40 folks at a time? Or do you fancy yourself a chef? We're looking for folks to help lead meal serves! It would be great to offer our regular meal leads a break every once in awhile - but as our church grows, so does the possibility of taking on additional meal nights - or offering small group meal nights. Let me know if you're interested! :)

BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR

Don & I liked to introduce folks to Breakthrough through the Manna (or meal-serving) opportunities. I say "introduce" because Breakthrough is a pretty robust organization and they have lots of ways to get involved in all of the different things they do - like homeless intervention, fresh market, job readiness training and even kids programs. Feel free to come out to one of their Behind the Scenes Tours to learn more about the many ways that Breakthrough is reaching out to folks living on the west side of Chicago. Tours are on the first Monday of each month. For more information or to register for the tour,click here.

FAMILYPLEX GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY!

I'm very excited to announce the groundbreaking ceremony for Breakthrough's FamilyPlex building is scheduled for Saturday, August 24th! The ground-breaking itself will take place at 11 AM with the event celebration extending from 10AM-2PM. This celebration will mark the beginning of construction on Breakthrough's third building, vastly increasing capacity for much needed services like classrooms, technology center, fitness center, and even medical care! The public is welcome - no RSVP needed! So come on out and enjoy this very special celebration with Breakthrough!

Thanks, everyone! Hope to see you soon!
Love and Hugs!

A&D

Note from Breakthrough | Breakthrough eNews July 2013

Check out the entire eNewsletter online here: https://aws.predictiveresponse.net/view_as_a_page/index.php?org=471&lea=20-10000075025-2&ite=347.

THE LATEST

Summer in the city

Girls move to East Garfield Park, intern at Breakthrough

In a small apartment off Madison Street, three college-aged girls wake up for another day in a new city. They don’t know each other, they don’t know the neighborhood and they don’t know what to expect.

But they are ready to experience it all.
The girls -- Meghan Grant, Annie Wei and Melanie Beachy -- came to live in East Garfield Park in June as part of an internship with Breakthrough where they will work with the Breakthrough Youth Network through August. Melanie will stay through January 2014…MORE >>

HUNGER WALK 2013

The Greater Chicago Food Depository’s 2013 Hunger Walk was a resounding success for Breakthrough as more than 200 walkers joined us in the fight against hunger the morning of Saturday, June 29.

The walkers were called to solicit sponsorship for their participation and their activism did not disappoint! They surpassed our set goal of $10,000 by raising $10,451…and the funds are still rolling in. Donations will be accepted through July 15.

Walkers included Breakthrough supporters of all walks of life: including our homeless guests, East Garfield Park residents, Fresh Market shoppers, volunteers, board members and faithful donors.

All money raised will be credited to Breakthrough’s account with the food depository…MORE >>

LEADER'S BRIEF

Arloa Sutter, Founder and Executive Director

Shared success

Our fiscal year closed at the end of June and I want to thank all of you for helping us end in a strong financial position. Your gifts to both our capital campaign and operating fund made our 2013 fiscal year the best ever in our 21-year history. Thank you!

As we embark on a new fiscal year we're excited to announce that one of our partners is challenging us to find new donors by offering to match every gift, dollar-for-dollar, up to $300,000 from new sources. This is a real match that we will only receive as we show donations from donors who have not given to Breakthrough in the past two years. You can help by introducing us to people in your network who you think might be interested in joining you in support of Breakthrough.

As the construction of our FamilyPlex and renovation of our women’s center begins this fall, we are challenged to use this coming year to build our capacity and to scale up for future growth. We commit to stretch every dollar and put your gifts to use in bringing new opportunities to homeless adults and families in East Garfield Park. Together, we can bring hope and new life to people struggling with the effects of poverty right in our own backyard.

WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING AT BREAKTHROUGH? Volunteers clean up BMC garden Communications intern joins Breakthrough UPCOMING EVENTS HomeCourt FamilyPlex Groundbreaking PHOTO OF THE MONTH They're fast, they're fierce, they're the Breakthrough Track & Field team at Eckersall Stadium.

Note From Breakthrough | Summer Fun with Kids!

Happy 4th of July Weekend,

You are receiving this email because you have either expressed interest or have participated in a Youth Volunteering experience here at Breakthrough Ministries. We just wanted to take a minute to update you on all of the wonderful summer activities we have going for our youth program.

Summer Studies Volunteers!

- Monday - Thursday, July 1 - August 8

- 9:00am - 3:30pm

- Academic enrichment

 

Summer Studies B.A.S.E.S.

- 4 Weeks - July 11th - August 1st

- Thursdays - 10:30am - 12noon

- Looking for volunteers to assist and lead mini lessons on creative arts and sciences topics

- Topics Include: Art and Nature, Music Rhythm and Dance, Soccer, Photography, Jewelry Making, Tennis, Portrait Drawing, and Robotics Boot Camp

Sports & Fitness Academy (B.S.F.A.)

- June - August

- Times Vary

- Looking for various coaches and assistants for summer sports

Home court (Friday Night Outdoor Community Basketball League)

Basketball Coaches:

- July 12 - August 16: Fridays, 3:30 - 8:00pm ( Individual game times will vary)

- Ages 10-19, volunteers can pick the age they prefer to work with

Group Work Project Needed: Back Court - Yard (Outdoor Play Area for Kids) Revamp!

- Space needs painting, re drawing basketball Court Lines, Fence mending, etc.

- 15 + volunteers

- Group responsible for bringing supplies needed

- Pick your day(s) in July or August!

Donations Needed: Healthy Snacks, Running Club Apparel (Jogging pants or windbreaker jackets), Outdoor Basketballs

See something that you may be interested in? Feel free to contact me for more details and I will be happy to sign you up! Hope you all have a great summer.

Thank you

Tonisha Daniel
Volunteer Engagement Specialist
Breakthrough Urban Ministries
402 N St. Louis Ave
Chicago, IL 60624

T:773-346-1772 (Direct)

Email - Volunteer Updates - July 2013

Greetings, Wonderful Breakthrough Volunteers!

It's July! We've got some fun stuff going on at Breakthrough this month - between the shrimp boil at the men's facility and the kids' basketball tourney and women's meal serve next Friday - you're bound to find something that tickles your fancy. So celebrate your Independence this month by coming out to volunteer with us at one of our service opportunities! Because nothing says "I'm declaring my Independence" quite like cooking or playing hoops with awesome kiddos... :)

HOME COURTSoul City is partnering with Breakthrough again this year with a cool kid's program called Home Court on Friday, July 19th. At Home Court, we'll be running basketball games, grilling out, making arts and crafts and serving the community. This is a great opportunity to get involved with the kids at Breakthrough.

When & Where: Friday, July 19^th// 2:30p-8:15p// Joshua Center (3330 W Carroll Ave)I’m in! How do I sign up?: Email caitlinlittle@soulcitychurch.com. 

JULY MEAL OPPORTUNITIES

Here are the dates for this month's regularly scheduled serving opps:

• Men's Facility Serve - Thursday, 7/11 (402 N St. Louis) - SHRIMP BOIL! This is going to be a really great meal. We need some help to make it happen though. So now is the time to pull out that extra turkey fryer you have in storage and loan it to the cause of delicious morsels and full bellies. Don't have a turkey fryer (we'll return it - I promise!) - maybe you have a grill-sized propane tank? If so - we could use a few of those too. And of course, we can always use donations to help cover the cost of groceries. This is one of the big meals for the year - always a big hit. Let me know if you want to get involved!  :)
• Women's Serve - Friday, 7/19 - Soul City is partnering with Breakthrough for the Home Court program this summer - our night to host that event falls on the same night as our regularly scheduled meal serve. If you want to try something new and you're available earlier in the day (2:30-*ish - see below for details), then contact Caitlin and come on out for our Home Court event. If you'd rather cook or aren't available until closer to 7pm, we're still hosting our regular meal serve too. Lots of great choices for volunteering next Friday!  :)

As always, just let me know if you're interested in and able to join us for a meal serve and I'll save a spot for you.

WANT TO GET YOUR COOK ON? LIKE FOR REALSIES?

Do you watch food network 24/7? Have fabulous ideas for feeding roughly 40 folks at a time? Or do you fancy yourself a chef? We're looking for folks to help lead meal serves! It would be great to offer our regular meal leads a break every once in awhile - but as our church grows, so does the possibility of taking on additional meal nights - or offering small group meal nights. Let me know if you're interested! :)

BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR

As you can tell from our Home Court program opportunity this month, Breakthrough is so much more than just a meal-serving opportunity. They have multiple programs for positively impacting the West Side of Chicago. Come out to one of their Behind the Scenes Tours to learn more about the many ways that Breakthrough is reaching out to folks living on the west side of Chicago. Tours are on the first Monday of each month. For more information or to register for the tour,click here.

HUNGER WALK 2013 - SUCCESS!

The Hunger Walk was a great success! Breakthrough was able to raise more than their goal of $10,000. A huge thank you to everyone that came out to walk/run or supported the event online! We couldn't have met our goals without you! Read more here.

Thanks, everyone! Hope to see you soon!
Love and Hugs!

A&D

Note from Breakthrough | Hunger Walk a Success

Saturday's Hunger Walk was a true success!

Thank you for coming out to Soldier Field on Saturday to participate in the annual Hunger Walk. Breakthrough had over 200 people walking on our behalf which means that we earned $2,400 from the Greater Chicago Food Depository just from walker participation. 

And the grant total is...

Breakthrough's goal was to raise $10,000 which covers about 3/4 of our annual budget with the Food Depository. We're thrilled to announce that we've already raised $10,451 even though you have until July 15th to turn in all of your donations. That means that 149,300 pounds of food will be distributed to over 1,200 families this year because of all of you. Thank you.

If you still need to collect donations or if you'd still like to raise funds, please either send your donors tobreakthrough.org/hungerwalk to donate online (and designate you as their walker), or turn in their cash/checks to Breakthrough before July 15th with "Hunger Walk" written in the memo line.

A BIG thank you to...

Please join me in thanking Grace Chicago Church for providing the Breakthrough BBQ after the walk. Their hospitality and smiles made all of us feel celebrated and well-cared for. Thanks for your partnership and service, Grace!

Many blessings to all of you on this special week as we celebrate our country's freedom.

Gretchen Schmidt
Director of Volunteer Engagement
Breakthrough Urban Ministries

Email - Volunteer Updates - June 2013

Greetings, Wonderful Breakthrough Volunteers!

It's June! Can't stand the lack of heat?! Come on in to the kitchens! Make some room in your calendar for one or both of our meal serves this month. And don't forget about the Hunger Walk on the 29th too! Let me know if you plan on coming to any of our volunteer opportunities this month - see you soon!  :)

JUNE MEAL OPPORTUNITIES

Here are the dates for this month's regularly scheduled serving opps:

• Men's Facility Serve - Thursday, 6/13 (402 N St. Louis)
• Women's Serve - Friday, 6/21 (3330 W Carroll Ave)

As always, just let me know if you're interested in and able to join us for a meal serve and I'll save a spot for you.

AFTER THE SERVE

We want to try something new - so after this month's Thursday evening men's serve at Breakthrough, we'll be inviting all volunteers to join us as we meet at The Green Tomato Cafe in North Lawndale (about 9ish). We'll have scones and coffee (decaf too) as we talk through our serving experiences. We hope you can make it! :)

HUNGER WALK 2013

Join Breakthrough's walking team with us to help raise funds to provide fresh food for Breakthrough's interim housing guests. Breakthrough earns $12 for every walker that participates on our team. You can also sponsor a walker or support the Breakthrough team by making an online donation. For more information on the Hunger Walk and to register, click here. Just be sure to write in your church name and let me know so we can be watching for you. If there's enough interest, we might even organize a carpool. ;)

Saturday, June 29, 2013 @ Soldier Field - Registration at 7am-8:30 Step-Off.

NEED A GIFT IDEA?

Father's Day is right around the corner (Sunday, 6/16) - and what do you get for the papa that has everything? What about a donation to a worthy cause in his honor? If that sounds like something your dad would love, consider a gift donation to Breakthrough.Click here to donate online.

BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR

Breakthrough is so much more than just a meal-serving opportunity. They have multiple programs for positively impacting the West Side of Chicago - from the fresh market to the kids' programs to homeless intervention. Come out to one of their Behind the Scenes Tours to learn more about the many ways that Breakthrough is reaching out to folks living on the west side of Chicago. Tours are on the first Monday of each month - the next one is Monday, June 3rd (TOMORROW!) at 6:15 PM. For more information or to register for the tour,click here.

Thanks everyone! Hope to see you soon!
Love and Hugs!

A&D

Email - Volunteer Updates - May 2013

Greetings, Wonderful Breakthrough Volunteers!

Happy May, lovelies! As this summer is starting to heat up, so are your volunteer opportunities! Be sure to check out our serving dates this month - and consider joining us for the Hunger Walk this summer (June) - or maybe a Behind the Scenes Tour?

 

MAY MEAL OPPORTUNITIES

Here are the dates for this month's regularly scheduled serving opps:

• Men's Facility Serve - Thursday, 5/9 (402 N St. Louis)
• Women's Serve - Friday, 5/17 (3330 W Carroll Ave)

As always, just let me know if you're interested in and able to join us for a meal serve and I'll save a spot for you.

HUNGER WALK 2013

Join Breakthrough's walking team to help raise funds to provide fresh food for Breakthrough's interim housing guests. You can also sponsor a walker or support the Breakthrough team by making an online donation. For more information on the Hunger Walk, click here.

Saturday, June 29, 2013 @ Soldier Field - Registration at 7am-8:30 Step-Off.

NEED A GIFT IDEA?

Mother's Day is right around the corner - and what do you get for the mom that has everything? What about a donation to a worth cause in her honor? If that sounds like something your mom would love, consider a gift donation to Breakthrough.Click here to donate online.

BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR

Breakthrough is so much more than just a meal-serving opportunity. They do so much for their neighborhood - from the fresh market to the kids' programs to homeless intervention. Come out to one of their Behind the Scenes Tours to learn more about the many ways that Breakthrough is reaching out to folks living on the west side of Chicago. Tours are on the first Monday of each month - the next one is Monday, May 6th at 6:15 PM. For more information or to register for the tour,click here.

Thanks, everyone!

Hope to see you soon!

Email - Volunteer Updates - April 2013

Greetings, Wonderful Breakthrough Volunteers!

Happy April 1st! My April Fools gift to you is to not play any kind of prank on you. Isn't that nice of me? Isn't it so nice that you want to volunteer with us? If so - block off Thursday, 4/11 (see below)...

APRIL MEAL OPPORTUNITIES

Here is the date for this month's regularly scheduled serving opportunity:

• Men's Facility Serve - Thursday, 4/11.
• Women's Serve - NO SERVE THIS MONTH

NOTE: We are not serving this month at the women's facility. That serve was scheduled to fall on the same night as the women's weekend at Soul City church (btw, if you're a woman, you're invited. hope to see you there!) Because many of our regular volunteers may also want to attend the women's weekend, it was decided to cancel our womens monthly meal serve for this month. For more information on Soul City's Women's Weekend or to register, click here.