Leaders and Members

Bill Curry received his first Springboard grant for Breakthrough 10 years ago. He had an idea and Springboard believed in him. Here is what Bill had to say about how "the Springboard effect" made an impact: "When our program became a grantee of Springboard, I came with a BIG heart for our kids and our work, but during those 5 years I took several steps towards becoming an organizational leader. A couple years after "graduating" from Springboard, I went back to school to study management at North Park University. I credit Springboard with creating that desire in me. I still have my BIG heart, and I also have a growing strategic mind, and passion for learning from others who care about the work as well." Bill's operational strategies and his knack for reaching out to people, combined with his passion for afterschool programs and his neighborhood, has led to big things. Ten years after receiving their first Springboard grant, Breakthrough Urban Ministries has begun construction on a $16 million, 42,000 square foot facility in the Garfield Park neighborhood. They have received 93% of the funding so far.