Breakthrough Familyplex is a blessing to the East Garfield park neighborhood. It is fairly new to…read morethe neighborhood, and offers community programs for children to adult that live in East Garfield Park and surrounding neighborhoods. I compare Breakthrough to a YMCA, but minus the swimming pool because it offers similar programs. As a resident of East Garfield Park, it is heart-warming to see some of the opportunities it has for pre-schoolers and youth. During most of my visits to Breakthrough, I utilize its fitness center and free WiFi at Bridge cafe to do my college homework, which Bridge cafe sits inside the complex. Within my first few months of getting a feel of Breakthrough, I got the chance to educate myself on the volunteer opportunities also, which range from shelter, food depository and its fitness programs for youth. At the end of the day, Breakthrough is a win for East Garfield Park neighborhood, and surrounding neighborhoods because it gives residents a positive outlet through its activities, and opportunities of growth for the youth & those that take part in making it better. Thomas Gouard

From the owner: The FamilyPlex is home to East Garfield Park's most celebrated coffee shop, the Bridge Cafe. It…read morealso houses a top quality early education program in the Breakthrough Beginners, as well as exceptional enrichment opportunities for teens as part of our Nettie Bailey Student Achievement Program. The fitness center on the second floor is affordable, offers a breath-taking view of the Chicago skyline and features a meditation room for members. The rooms within the facility are available to rent, including the main gym - which can accommodate gatherings of up to 500 people. For more information visit Breakthrough.org/familyplex, call (872) 444-8200 or email rentals@breakthrough.org.

I always picked Humboldt park over Wicker park any day. I used to look at the lagoon at night and…read morethink and reflect. I loved attending the Puerto Rican fests with friends. I enjoyed walking the park with snow on the ground.

This Fieldhouse, along with the one in nearby Garfield Park is a "must visit" if you are at all…read moreinterested in Chicago history and architecture. As a community member, it's a "must visit" if you want to get involved with some cool local events and to check out what's going on in the neighborhood. If you are just interested in the fitness center, that's cool too. It's a long rectangular room that looks out over a lagoon and charges a monthly or an annual fee. When I first spotted this building against the dramatic clouds and bright blue sky yesterday, my spirit soared. I don't even care if that's silly talk because that's how enamored I was with the view. "What is this place?" I had to pull in the lot and go inside. What I found were crafty-colorful witches greeting me.... I roamed along to where some voices were coming from and before I knew it, I was standing in an "old-school" gym/basketball court/auditorium. The space looked out of "Dead Poet's Society" or so like that. I backed up toward the wall to take a photo and whoa!! radiant heat from the grate (looks original!) on the wall. I was wrapped in all kinds of warmth. Further wrapped figuratively, by the one lady employee who saw me marveling at this place. She began telling me all about the programs, the fitness center and you could tell she loved her job, the city of Chicago and the place she worked. Thank you, Chicago Park District for keeping this kind of gem alive and housing such awesome community spirit here. http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/humboldtpark/ excerpt re: architecture: "In 1928, the West Park Commission contructed a fieldhouse in Humboldt Park. The structure was designed by architects Michaelsen and Rognstad, who were also responsible for other notable buildings including the Garfield Park Gold Dome Building, the Douglas and LaFolette Park Fieldhouses, and the On Leong Chinese Merchant's Association Building in Chinatown. In 1934, Humboldt Park became part of the Chicago Park District, when the city's 22 independent park commissions merged into a single citywide agency." (I'm learning why I love Paris so much...many nooks of Chicago were based on Parisian design: the Midway Plaisance in Hyde Park is another notable area: http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/Midway-Plaisance-Park/ )

Yesterday I was led to call this center to see about a vaccine appointment. The staff was…read moreincredible from start to finish!! They took my information and set me up in a canceled time slot. I was over there in thirty minutes and done in less than an hour!! Everyone was friendly and cheerful. The medical staff made me feel comfortable and cared for!! After weeks of searching elsewhere for an appointment this was the best answer to my frustrations. Thank you!!

My daughter has been a patient at this office for years, and I was seen here throughout my…read morepregnancy as well, so I came in to enroll my son. I was checked in and had already started filling out paperwork before the front desk staff guy told me they "don't accept my insurance." This makes absolutely no sense, considering my daughter was just seen there a couple days ago and my insurance has not changed at all. Instead of double checking or trying to resolve it, the front desk employee simply turned us away after we had already gone through the check-in process. It was a complete waste of time and incredibly frustrating, especially having to bring my child in just to be turned away like that. This should have been verified before check-in, especially for a family that has been established with this office for years. The way it was handled was rude and lazy. No effort to help, no explanation, nothing. If this is how they treat people who've been coming here for years.