Emergency NumbersPhone Book (Must be on-campus or have a valid network account)
Operation Breakthrough
Kansas City, MO
March 4th-10th, 2012
"Going to Cancun over spring break may have been fun, but that experience could not compare to my week spent at Operation Breakthrough, learning about the social justice issues facing children in the U.S. and developing a renewed sense of obligation to do something about it."
-2010 Operation Breakthrough Participant
2011 Operation Breakthrough Trip
Operation Breakthrough
Operation Breakthrough is the Missouri's largest day care center. Its mission is to help children who are living in poverty develop to their fullest potential by providing them a safe, loving and educational environment. This organization provides day care, meals, Children’s Mercy Clinic, a dental clinic, speech therapy, play therapy, housing assistance, food and clothing to children and families of the inner city of Kansas City. Operation Breakthrough also strives to support and empower the children's families through advocacy, referral services and emergency aid.
Operation Breakthrough cares each weekday for more than 600 children, ages 6 weeks to 18 years. More than 98% of the enrolled families live below the federal poverty guidelines, most far below them.
About 25% of the children are homeless or near homeless, living in battered women's or homeless shelters or transitional living programs. Often they sleep on the sofas of friends or relatives, sometimes even living in cars, rundown hotels or abandoned buildings. About 25% of our children are in foster care or other placements due to abuse, neglect or other family crises. The average income of our families is $9,400.
What to Expect:
- Travel: The group will travel to, from, and around Kansas City by mini bus.
- Lodging: Our groups have been graciously housed by Saint Mary of Egypt Orthodox Church. Other arrangements may be made with other churches in the surrounding area.
- Food: Meals are provided by the center as well as at the church during the duration of the trip.
- Work: The week is spent working with children living in poverty. You will help provide them with a safe, loving, and nurturing environment by reading with the children, doing crafts, and working with groups.
- Extra Fun!: Exploring Kansas City and the surrounding area!
- Focus: Children, poverty, community, solidarity.
Interested in applying to co-lead or be a participant on the Border Trip? Apply here to co-lead or here to participate!
Any questions about this trip can be directed to Alternative Break Experiences at abe@csbsju.edu
Operation Breakthrough Packing List
Operation Breakthrough Itinerary
Special Points of Interest:
- Working with inner city children
- Education
- Children's Issues
- Advocacy
- Social Justice
- Poverty
From Past Participants:
"We witnessed poverty and homelessness and everyone was so shocked and heartbroken. What people don't realize is that this happens everywhere including in our own hometowns."
-2010 Participant