"We're ready to get back on the street," says Outreach Coordinator,
Brenda Williams. Thanks to a generous donor, Breakthrough Urban
Ministries just purchased a 2003 RV. The Street Outreach team had been
without an RV all summer due to constant mechanical problems. Without
it, Breakthrough was hampered in reaching women in crisis on their
turf, a critical area of engagement. Even women who come to
Breakthrough but have never stepped foot on the RV usually come because
of another woman who has. Brenda says, "Many women come to us by word
of mouth.'"
Yvette speaks to the significance of Breakthrough's outreach and
programs. She credits the staff with helping her stay clean and on a
path to spiritual truth. "I was treated like a human being," she says.
"The staff taught me how to have confidence in myself. My case manager
really helped me through my depression, anger and frustration." She
adds, "They helped me restore my sanity."
In fact, Yvette has yet to find an employer who will hire her. But
she has been clean for over a year and will soon move into permanent
housing, where she'll have her own apartment. Currently, she shares a
room with another woman in temporary housing. Both arrangements were
set up for her through Breakthrough Urban Ministries.
Yvette continues her journey with hope. She attends Holy Family Lutheran Church
and volunteers there regularly when she's not searching for work. She is
thankful for her time at Breakthrough. "I thank God for sending me
here," she says. "I know that what they did for me, they can do for
many others."
