The people at Breakthrough House Inc are dedicated to the individuals that they serve. They go above and beyond to improve the quality of life of their clients, and treat each person with dignity and respect.
Mission: "To empower individuals with mental illness to function more independently in their social, living and working environments and to make available decent, safe, and affordable housing for them in Shawnee County."
Results: Breakthrough House, Inc. has been in operation for 39 years, and has supported thousands of individuals living with a mental illness through the years. Breakthrough House, Inc. is committed to helping consumers reach and remain independent in all facets of their lives, while being there to support our consumers through any peaks and valleys that may be experienced. We are the cushion to their blows, the shelter from the storms in their lives. Breakthrough House is here for our consumers.
Target demographics: individuals with severe and persistant mental illness to lead enriched, independent lives.
Direct beneficiaries per year: 430+ individuals
Geographic areas served: Topeka, Kansas
Programs: a daytime Clubhouse with activities, support, a good lunch; safe & secure residential housing; and a representative payee service to ensure basic needs are met like housing, food and medication.
The people at Breakthrough House Inc are dedicated to the individuals that they serve. They go above and beyond to improve the quality of life of their clients, and treat each person with dignity and respect.
Fifteen years ago, I worked for Breakthrough House as a "house parent." It was the most rewarding experience I've had. Every client brought a different set of "willingnesses" and "capabilities" to every communal activity. This is what made it both rewarding and challenging. One didn't like the dinner. One loved the dinner, but didn't want to set the table. One wanted to set the table, but didn't want to do the dishes. Some wanted to do menu planning. Some did not. Some wanted to help with meal preparation. Some did not. Balancing these unique demands - and working through them with the give and take that's vital to a family experience is what made Breakthrough House so special to me. Some of these clients had never experienced "give and take" and - as a result - had never enjoyed the feeling of "getting" from another in one arena or "giving" to another in a different arena.
This kind of living experience - and challenging clients to strive as if they had nothing to lose - is the model for success in my never-to-be humble opinion.
