Thursday, March 21, 2013

Fun and Creative Opportunities to Volunteer with Kids @ Breakthrough


Breakthrough has a pretty great kids program called B.A.S.E.S. and they're looking for volunteers to help in the various areas this Spring. See below for more details. Contact Amy Coles at acoles(at)breakthrough.org or office: 773-722-0179, ext. 229 if you're interested in being a part of this season's lineup. Thanks!


B.A.S.E.S.- Spring 2013
6 weeksApril 12th, 19th, 26th, May 3rd, 10th and 17th
4:45-6:05pm- 1 hour and 20 minutes
Note: Lead instructors need to be available from 4:15-6:30pm to help set up and clean up their classroom spaces, etc.

Appetizers and Tapas (Twelve 4th-8th graders)- Looking for 2/3 volunteers (one to lead and one or two to assist)
-Looking for someone to come up with recipes and lead teach a class for students on appetizers and tapas. Students should perhaps have some conversation about the dishes, read ingredients and directions together and then break up into groups to cook/eat their creations. Could be Iron Chef style? Students should make a recipe book or their own recipe to have some sort of finished product by the end of the class. Note: Recipes will be needed  at least two weeks in advance so supplies can be purchased  ($35/week for supplies)

Art and Yoga (Twelve K-4th graders)-Looking for one volunteer (assistance only-no preparation needed)
-Looking for someone to assist with lead teacher who will teach a 35 minute yoga class with students and then switch to do a fun/interactive craft activity.  Helpful if you are familiar with art therapy or love crafts and small children

Marvel Comics (Eight 4th-8th graders)-Looking for 2 volunteers (one to lead and one to assist)
-Looking for someone to teach about the history and legends behind Marvel comics, do some basics of drawing, story boarding, read comics/watch movies/clips, etc .Students should have a finished product by the end of the class (drawing, comic, whatever).

Spanish Culture Class (Ten K-4th graders)-Looking for 2/3 volunteers (one to lead and one or two to assist)
-Looking for someone to teach about Hispanic food, music, dancing, history, art, culture etc.? Interest in distinguishing between Mexico, Spain, South America and the Islands. Note: Supplies will be need to be clearly communicated at least two weeks in advance if they are to  be purchased ($15/week for supplies). Donated supplies preferred.

Health and Fitness (Twelve 4th-8th graders)- Looking for 2/3 volunteers (one to lead and one or two to assist)
-Looking for someone to teach a class around healthy living and fitness in our fitness room using equipment, sometime outside games, and possibly incorporate nutrition and conversation about about being healthy in body, mind and soul.

Robotics Boot Camp (Eight 5th-8th graders)-Looking for one volunteer (assistance only-no preparation needed)
-Preparing students (and new volunteers) for the possibility of being on the Brkthru Bots team that participates in the First Lego League Competition Fall 2013-Winter 2014 (Team has gone to state two years in a row!)

Backyard Games from Around the World (Twelve K-3rd graders)-Looking for 2/3 volunteers (one to lead and one or two to assist)
-Looking for someone to teach traditional fun backward games from around the word to the students to learn and play. Students will hopefully read, be able to recognize different country flags, and participate in various games (indoors and outdoors). Rainy day activities for each week should be prepared just in case.

Jewelry Making (Eight 4th-8th graders)-Looking for 2 volunteers (one to lead and one to assist)
-Looking for someone to teach a class about jewelry making. Note: Supplies will be need to be clearly communicated at least two weeks in advance if they are to be purchased ($15/week). Donated supplies preferred. Students should have various finished products by the end of the class.

Monday, March 4, 2013

This is Groundbreaking News!

So exciting to have the FamilyPlex move forward! Per an email from Janet Malkovich of Breakthrough Urban Ministries:
The Breakthrough FamilyPlex project was approved for a fall 2013 groundbreaking by our board of directors at its Feb. 28 meeting.
As you know, the FamilyPlex will be a community hub at the corner of Kedzie and Carroll Ave. in East Garfield Park, spanning 13 city lots. The 42,500-square-foot building will include 11 classrooms, a 10-room medical clinic, a two-court gymnasium, an adult fitness center, technology center, multi-purpose art studio, community café and playground.

With this extra space, we'll be able to TRIPLE our current number of program participants over the next 10 years. Thank you for your support of  this project. We still have lots of work to do and challenges to meet but we have reached a BIG milestone.
God is good!  

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Email - Volunteer Updates - March 2013


Greetings, Wonderful Breakthrough VolunteersYou've successfully made it through the horrible drudgery of February. So I'm here to tell you "Happy March"! And what better way to celebrate this blessed month than by volunteering with us out at Breakthrough Urban Ministries? So - check out the meal serving opps we have coming up and let me know if you're planning to come so I can reserve a spot for you. Hope to see you soon!

MARCH MEAL OPPORTUNITIES
Here are the dates for this month's regularly scheduled serving opportunities:
  • Men's Facility Serve Thursday, 3/14
  • Women's Facility Serve - Friday, 3/15
(Keep in mind that men volunteers can serve dinner at the women's facility and vice versa. This is more to let you know where to meet us and less to dictate where you should serve.)  ;)

DREAM BIG - CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Here's an exciting update about the Dream Big campaign. As a reminder, 
Breakthrough has been working on a campaign to make a huge difference in the lives of people living in Garfield Park and the west side of Chicago by building the FamilyPlex - providing a daycare & preschool, safe places to work out, go to community classes, a cafe and even a conveniently located place to 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.

Here's the update from Breakthrough's own Bill Curry (via Facebook):
Get your construction hardhat! It's official! The Breakthrough Familyplex will start being built this year. Much work remains, but construction on this 42,000 square foot building should start in September!!!! Gymnasium, classrooms, fitness center, cafe, medical clinic, art/science center...HUGE blessing in our neighborhood!
 
For a picture of what the FamilyPlex will look like, click here.
 
BLOG
Ever want to re-live one of your past serves? Or maybe you just want to see what might be coming up? Either way - check out 
our blog.  It lists other ways to get involved at Breakthrough Urban Ministries too. Actually, you should just add it to your bookmarks already.  ;)

Thanks everyone! Hope to see you soon!

Love and Hugs!
A&D