1987
Mark Ennis purchases dilapidated 6-flat on 1200 block of South Spaulding Avenue

1988
Art Mitchell, current Board of Directors member and former Board President, joins Mark in his efforts

1989
Mark and Art move into 6-flat

1990
Barbie York joins team to begin after school program that consists of academic tutoring, mentoring and Bible study. Program runs 12 years.

1992
Jeff Dennis, current Executive Director, and his family join the Breaking Ground team

Breaking Ground receives 501(c)(3) status and incorporates as Illinois nonprofit (at the time under the name "Upward Bound")

1994
Dennis, Jordan, and Reynold families move onto South Spaulding Avenue and join Breaking Ground staff

The team rehabs and sells condominiums to existing residents

1996
Begin rehab on building donated by City of Chicago to house Breaking Ground

1998
The APL Teaching Factory opens

1999
First Breaking Ground home constructed

2003
Begin construction on 10-home project on the 1200 block of South Spaulding Avenue to build affordable single-family homes

Breaking Ground is chosen to open Chicago's first ever Manufacturing Credentialing Center

Original Vision: provide Lawndale residents with safe, affordable housing and basic skills needed for employment

2004
FISH Window Washing franchise purchased, runs for 3 years

2005
5 more homes constructed, completing 10-home project

At this time single-family homes worth more than $200,000 each are offered for as low as $90,000

In an alliance with three other local non profits, Breaking Ground begins leading a project to develop 130 more homes. Construction begins in fall of 2005 and ends in 2009.

2006
Cleanstreet business transfered to Breaking Ground

21st new home constructed

2007
46th new home constructed

APL enrollment surpasses 1,200 students

2008
64th new home constructed

2009
77th new home constructed

APL enrollment surpasses 2,000 students

Manufacturing Traning Center (MTC) founded

Began participation in the Neighborhood Stabilization Program

2010
Green-Jobs Initiative Deconstruction Program founded

2011
APL enrollment has now surpassed 2,400 students

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