About Breakthrough House

Here to
Help People
Who Live with
Mental Illness

Breakthrough House, Inc. is a nonprofit community agency established in 1978 to support the recovery of individuals with mental illness by providing services, supports, and opportunities to improve the quality of their lives. Through the efforts of staff and volunteers, interaction with peers, and community involvement, individual needs are met, social and vocational skills are restored, and self-esteem is strengthened, encouraging adult men and women who participate in our programs to contribute their talents and abilities to the benefit of themselves and others as they live, learn, work, and play.

Our History

A student at the University of Kansas, searching for a way to meet the internship requirement for her Master’s Degree in Social Work, decided to pursue starting a support group for persons in Topeka recovering from mental illness. She discussed her idea with the director of the local Mental Health Association and with others who shared her vision, and together they initiated weekly meetings at her house. What began as a small network for patients and former patients from Topeka State Hospital, the Menninger Clinic, and other therapeutic settings has grown to become a full-fledged community of mutual support.

Our Goal

Our goal is to empower individuals with mental illness to function more independently in their social, living, and working environments and to secure decent, safe, and affordable housing for them in Shawnee County. The people we serve are on a journey toward recovery from mental illness. Our philosophy is to meet them where they are, to accept them as they are, and to walk side-by-side with them on that journey—supporting them, empowering them, working in partnership with them to achieve their goals for independence and employment.

Leadership Staff

Brian E. Blevins, CEO
Theresa Douthart, COO
Gwen Hay, Finance Director
Curtis Martell, CIO
Amy Fultz, Director of Human Resources & Payee Program
Sehara Hays, Director of Residential Services
Molly Kemper Director of Clubhouse

Representative Payee Staff

Ellen Vap – Accounting Specialist
Amber Mackell, Representative Payee Specialist
Dana Parker, Representative Payee Assistant II
Susan Allen, Receptionist

Residential Staff

LaShon Mays, Keredel House Manager
Neshemahe Evans-Kanbance, Keredel Direct Support Staff
Jailyn Lee, Keredel Direct Support Staff
Earnestine Knowles, Keredel Direct Support Staff
Braeden Hill, Keredel Direct Support Staff
Carl Broxterman, Keredel Direct Support Staff

Dale Walker, Golden House Manager
Quentin Hailey, Golden Direct Support Staff
Kyla Powers, Golden Direct Support Staff
Sharon Dukes, Golden Direct Support Staff
Tyrone Carstaphen, Golden and Keredel Support Staff
Anni Hailey, Golden Direct Support Staff
Tina Phillips, Golden Direct Support Staff

The Lotus House Staff

Molly Kemper, LMSW – Director
Laura Webber, Executive Assistant Administration Unit
Trish Walters, Mental Health Recovery Specialist Administration Unit
Cindy Lund, Mental Health Recovery Specialist Wellness Unit
Michael Gueary, Mental Health Recovery Specialist Administration Unit
Ken Johnson, Mental Health Recovery Specialist Wellness Unit
Nick Walker, Mental Health Recovery Specialist Wellness Unit
Bill McSweeney, Mental Health Recovery Specialist Wellness Unit

Board of Directors

Megan Moseley, President
Trae McPherson, Vice President,
Robert Sanders, Treasurer,
Shampayne Lloyd, Secretary,
Rebecca Phillips, Board Member
and Advocacy Chair,
Patreece Morris, Board Member,
Tom Stringer, Board Member,
Sherri Gibson, Board Member

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