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After separating from Episcopal Social Services in 1992 to become a free-standing nonprofit organization, the Breakthrough Club is rejoining with the group.
The organizations announced Wednesday they would combine after government funding cuts in 2010 led the Breakthrough Club to reduce programs. By combining, the two groups will be able to save money without reducing services.
The most obvious change to the public will be Episcopal Social Services selling its building at the corner of Second and Washington and moving into the Breakthrough Club’s location at 1010 N. Main. The money made in the sale of the building will go toward renovations at the 1010 N. Main building.
“Overall we think it’ll be a great combination,” said Denise Hinson, board president of Episcopal Social Services. “We will both bring a lot of dynamic things to the merger, and we think it’ll be good for both organizations and for the clients.”
Episcopal Social Services provides aid to the disadvantaged, the unemployed, those with mental illness and at-risk youths. In addition to classes and training, it runs a Food Outreach Program, which provides hot lunches Monday through Friday.
The Breakthrough Club serves people with mental illnesses by providing education and employment support, housing support, health and wellness services, and youth services.
Once the two organizations have merged, they can pool funds and individual resources. The organizations have programs that overlap, so by combining the programs they hope to operate more efficiently.
“Hopefully the merge will make it cost effective,” Hinson said, “and we can use the funds we have to help as many people as we can.”
