Dear Breakthrough Community,
As incoming Executive Director for Breakthrough Men’s Community, I want to start the year by taking a moment to appreciate all the hard work of our community in 2022. First and foremost, thank you to the men who enrolled and participated in the Breakthrough workshop for taking a stand for themselves and making an investment in their own happiness and aliveness. Next, thank you to the workshop presenters and team members who generously volunteered their time to be with those men through their Breakthrough journey. Thank you to the committee members without whose efforts much of the work behind the scenes would not have gotten done. Thank you to our Board of Directors in 2022 Donn Wilkerson, Jamie Alonzo, Paul Finnegan, Brian Bajari, Tom Lee, Ron Gaasch, and Paul Gaucher. Thank you to our outgoing Executive Director Stephen Osborne, for the love commitment and wisdom you gave to Breakthrough in 2022. The combined support and commitment of all these dedicated individuals is what makes Breakthrough, Breakthrough. And very special thanks to all who donated to Breakthrough in 2022. Your generosity directly impacts the men who take the workshop, their partners, children and communities by making it possible for Breakthrough to reach more men with this powerful work.
2022 at Breakthrough was full of the post pandemic renewal. From expanded reach of our program to many in-person programs including joyous musical gatherings and our meaningful annual retreat, our community enjoyed the connection that was missing from many parts of pandemic life.
Going into 2023 our primary focus is to make the workshop available to as many men as possible from all walks of life and continuing to offer support to our expanding family of alumni out to new strategic partnerships to find ways that Breakthrough’s work can support the missions of other amazing nonprofits in our community.
This message of thanks would be incomplete without taking a special moment to acknowledge the volunteerism of the Breakthrough community. Workshop volunteer team members give over 120 hours of their time per workshop representing 1500 hours of volunteer time per workshop. This generosity of time love and support opens the door to transformation in the lives of the men who participate in the workshop, as well as the lives of the team members who support it. As men regain a loving relationship with themselves, they positively impact the lives of their families, their workplaces, their communities, and the world.
It is an honor to take on my new role at Breakthrough and a privilege to serve this community that has contributed so much to my life.
With Gratitude,
Arnold S. Westphal,
Executive Director & Workshop Presenter