Arloa Sutter is the founder and visionary leader of Breakthrough Urban Ministries in Chicago. In 1992, Arloa opened an unused church storefront room and began to serve hot coffee and lunch to the homeless. She began to build relationships with those in need and focused on providing shelter, hot meals, counseling, and supportive services for homeless men.
In 2000, Breakthrough renovated a building in East Garfield Park on Chicago’s west side to expand their capacity to serve homeless women. Shortly after, a youth and family services program was added. In March, 2008, Breakthrough opened a second building in East Garfield Park. The Breakthrough Ministry Center houses a shelter and service programs for homeless men and the headquarters for the ministry. Today, Breakthrough stands as a center of hope for community residents and families of Chicago’s west side.
Arloa is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute and Western Illinois University and received an MA in Urban Mission from Lincoln Christian University and a Doctorate of Ministry degree from the Bakke Graduate University. She is on staff at the River City Community Church and serves on the boards of the Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund and the Christian Community Development Association.
A compelling public speaker on poverty and social justice, Dr. Sutter has been interviewed frequently on radio and TV and regularly addresses students on college campuses. Sutter is a founding member of the Redbud Writers Guild. In 2010, Sutter’s first book, The Invisible: How the Church Can Find and Serve the Least of These (and its two companion resource study guides) was published.
Arloa is active on facebook and twitter and can be reached by email.
You can also send Arloa your questions, comments or speaking and consulting requests by using the form below.
Comments or questions are welcome.
Powered by Fast Secure Contact Form
