Mission Statement:
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Breakthrough House is a nonprofit community supported program for individuals with mental illness.
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Through our staff, consumer interaction and community involvement, we strive to meet individual needs and enhance self-esteem.
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Our mission is to empower individuals to function more independently in their social, living, and working environments and to secure decent, safe, and affordable housing for them in Shawnee County
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Freedom House
The Freedom House is a non-clinical day and evening program that
provides a home-like environment six days a week. Individuals
with severe and persistent mental illness seek membership to “empower”
themselves by learning how to manage their illness and interact
within the community. Members participate in scheduled self-help
activities such as the following: pre-vocational work units (maintenance,
clerical, thriftshop, snack bar, and kitchen), health issues, current
events, mens’/womens’ issues, Bible study, cooking classes,
community service, and the management of mental illness. Social
and recreational opportunities include bingo, field trips, art groups,
videos, music, shopping, volleyball, and bowling. Additional services
include van rides, a nursing clinic, and free meals daily.
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Living Program
The LIVING PROGRAM provides case management for individuals living
in a BTH supported living home, semi-independent apartment, and
community based apartments. Program participants work jointly with
their case manager to develop an individualized plan to attain their
goals. Assistance is provided in the development of basic living
skills such as meal planning, food purchases, cooking household
management, hygiene, employment skills, utilization of community
resources, transportation, coping skills, locating apartments, landlord/tenant
relations, and advocacy services.
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Compeer Program
The COMPEER program matches screened and trained volunteers with
mental health consumers living in the community in a one-to-one
“friendship” match. Compeer friends meet once a week
to do whatever they enjoy: attend movies, take a walk, or just talk.
Both friends make a commitment to stay in the match for one year.
The Compeer volunteer has the opportunity to make an important difference
in someone’s life and share a unique relationship.
Services offered by the Compeer program include Compeer for Adults,
Group Compeer, Compeer Calling, Compeer in Corrections and Compeer
for Youth.
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Supported Employment
In September 2005, Breakthrough House entered into an agreement with Kansas Rehabilitation Services (KRS) to provide supported employment services to clients referred to Breakthrough House by the local KRS office. Supported employment provides people with mental disabilities pre-employment training, a job in an integrated work environment in the Topeka or surrounding area, and continuous support on that job.
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Emergency Aid Program (EAP)
EAP provides community based services for individuals with severe
and persistent mental illnesses.
Services can include: one time assistance with rent or utilities,
medication vouchers, bus tickets for medical appointments and food
boxes. A Social Security payee program is also offered. EAP staff
spend time educating individuals about community resources and problem
solving with them in hopes of preventing future emergencies. We
assist in securing entitlements and advocating for the client with
other agencies and community groups. We provide referrals to groups
and agencies when appropriate. We believe that each person is an
important part of our community and deserves to be treated as such
by evaluating each individual’s needs separately to determine
with them what will be most helpful.
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BreakThrough's History
We were founded by former patients and members of the Mental Health
Association of Shawnee County in 1974. The Freedom House opened
in the early part of 1978. This makes the Freedom House the oldest
one in Kansas. Breakthrough became a corporation in 1981, and the
Shawnee Community Mental Health Center added us as an affiliate
in 1982. United Way of Greater Topeka accepted us as a member agency
in 1985. Our Compeer program started in 1989.
Fees
Breakthrough takes into account the limited financial resources of
members, tenants, and their families. There is NO COST for many services.
Some voluntary activities may have a small fee. The Living Program
has rent and program fees based on a sliding scale.
Admission
Requirements
Individuals 18 years of age or older, moving to or living in Shawnee
County, and having a history of a psychiatric illness are eligible
for consideration. Support material pertaining to past or present
psychiatric care, and a screening interview are required. Applicants
will be expected to accept medical supervision, case management,
participate in an individually planned program of activities, and
continue their medication as requested by their physician, case
manager, and/or family.
Admission to the Freedom House, COMPEER, LIVING PROGRAM, and EMERGENCY AID programs
can be initiated by calling (785) 232-6807 from 9-5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Donations
Donations to the Living Program, thriftshop, food bank, and Freedom
House are greatly appreciated. Items especially needed are bedding,
blankets, towels, furniture, large size clothing, canned or frozen
meats and vegetables. Donations can be dropped off or arrangements
can be made to have them picked up by calling (785) 232-6960 or
(785) 232-6807.
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