Program areas at Breakthrough
Housing, Wellness, and Economic Development Breakthrough believes in a thriving Garfield Park and provides programs that focus on housing, health and wellness, and economic development. These initiatives include: - Housing support for individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness. This includes emergency drop-in spaces that meet critical basic needs, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing. Participants receive wraparound services and case management support. - A choice model food pantry that functions like a free grocery store and also connects people to community healthcare and food assistance programs. - Behavioral health resources for children and adults. This includes on-site therapy, medical care, and substance use treatment options. - A spectrum of economic development and employment services, job placement, job retention support, income support, financial coaching, and homeownership education and pathways.
Violence Prevention Breakthrough provides an integrated violence prevention program in East Garfield Park. Direct interventions include street-level response to violence, case management, services for individuals re-entering the community, and public events that promote alternatives to violence.
Education and Youth Development Breakthrough seeks to see East Garfield Park become a place where success becomes the norm and families prosper. Breakthrough's core education and youth development programs include early childhood education, after school academic enrichment, high school and post-secondary programs, and a variety of high-quality art, technology, and sports clubs that focus on skill-building and career exploration.
Volunteer Engagement To carry out its work, Breakthrough is supported by thousands of volunteers who engage across each program area in a variety of ways. Volunteers are responsible for supplementing the efforts of staff and their work can include, but is not limited to, providing meals, acting as mentors, tutors, and coaches, supporting the food pantry, serving on a board, and providing job coaching.