Inspire, Summer 2010

overheard Clockwise from top: • Night skyline of Chicago • One of Breakthrough’s variety of youth programs • Bill meeting with a Breakthrough colleague • Bill with the organization’s founder, Arloa Sutter Bill ’ 96 and Marcie (Duez) Curry ’ 97 Breakthrough Urban Ministries Bill’s move from small-town Indiana to inner-city Chicago was intentional. “I wanted to learn more about race and class in America,” he said. “I wanted to step outside my comfort zone and learn more.” As chief operating officer at Breakthrough, Bill is involved in administering and resourcing programs that serve more than 1,000 families and provide solutions for education, youth development, unemployment, hunger, and homelessness in the ministry’s target zone. All four of their local elementary schools tested in the lowest 5% of Illinois schools, and their neighborhood is among the three most violent communities in Chicago. As director of youth and family services, Marcie provides academic, athletic, spiritual, and art services. Despite living in a high-crime area, the Currys feel safe, although they are aware of the danger. They take appropriate precautions while trusting God to watch over them. “We made a choice to live here,” Bill said. “We could undo that and move — we have that privilege. But the people we work with don’t.” Bill and Marcie have served more than a decade with Breakthrough. They are working toward transformation at the individual and community level, and are being transformed themselves in the process. “Being here has opened our eyes to new cultures,” Marcie said, “and a better way of living.” 12 SUMMER 2010