Breakthrough Beginners

would give a zero if i could. horrible neighbors. allow their patrons to crowd and obstruct the residential street, their “events” start ridiculously early and involve blasting the worst music, disrupting everyone else’s day and peace. i’m all for community engagement and events, but there’s a way to do it while being respectful of others and for some reason Breakthrough never fails to do it loudly and disruptively. posting their own printed no parking signs for whatever events they want, not asking patrons to respect the flow of traffic on a residential street and causing them to park their cars in the middle of the road and leave their cars there with no regard for anyone else. there is at least 10 times/month that they disrupt the daily lives of those of us who have lived on this block for decades (long before they got here).

Pretty nice and small gym for a quick work out.

I recently volunteered at Breakthrough where I prepared and made dinner for the women's ministry. I met some great women and was able to share the gospel as well. Great, well stocked kitchen. The women I talked and interacted with seemed positive, motivated, and were giving me positive encouragement. I would recommend Breakthrough for anyone in need of a place to stay and to find a welcoming place to go.

Great neighborhood gym! Prior to moving to this area it made my day to find Breakthrough Fitness Center because I did not think that East Garfield Park neighborhood had any gyms period! The fitness center is well kept; never crowded and very affordable costing only $15 a month, plus it has many activities surrounding it part of Breakthrough Family Plex. I compare Breakthrough Family Plex to a YMCA/YWCA because it has similar activities minus the indoor swimming pool, but it does have a cafe inside, and many activities for youth. Breakthrough is one of the most friendliest businesses that you'll find in East Garfield Park, so if you decide to stop in, I recommend greeting whomever you encounter because many that are involved only want the neighborhood to be better than what it is. Truly one of the positive blessings in this neighborhood. Thomas G

Breakthrough Familyplex is a blessing to the East Garfield park neighborhood. It is fairly new to the neighborhood, and offers community programs for children to adult that live in East Garfield Park and surrounding neighborhoods. I compare Breakthrough to a YMCA, but minus the swimming pool because it offers similar programs. As a resident of East Garfield Park, it is heart-warming to see some of the opportunities it has for pre-schoolers and youth. During most of my visits to breakthrough, I utilize its fitness center and free WiFi at Bridge cafe to do my college homework, which Bridge cafe sits inside the complex. Within my first few months of getting a feel of Breakthrough, I got the chance to educate myself on the volunteer opportunities also, which range from shelter, food depository and its fitness programs for youth. With all being said, it is a win for the East Garfield Park neighborhood, and surrounding neighborhoods because it gives residents a positive outlet through its activities, and opportunities of growth for the youth & those that take part in making it better. Thomas Gouard