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Celebrating the High School Class of 2021, Our Largest Class Ever
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After a particularly trying year for everyone, but especially students on the cusp of graduation, Breakthrough Central Texas honored nearly 170 high school graduates at our 2nd virtual Graduation Celebration. Our students, families, and staff gathered to share laughs and words of encouragement and even dance virtually, as we celebrated students’ achievements (including 486 college acceptances). Each student who attended was recited their own four rhyming lines – a classic Breakthrough tradition of words of declaration by current and former advisors.
A few weeks later, Breakthrough hosted an outdoor gathering for our annual Senior Gift Pick-Up, where students enjoyed food, Italian ice, music, and even had the opportunity to see other high school graduates for the first time since the pandemic began. Each senior received a gift box that included a Breakthrough t-shirt designed by one of our very own seniors, a printed version of their four rhyming lines and a $50 gift card! We are so grateful to all our students and families who joined us at the Manor & Austin High School Senior Gift Pick-Ups.
Special thank to our Breakthrough Honor Roll members, volunteers and Breakthrough community who donated and volunteered their time to make these senior gifts possible. Read more.
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Breakthrough Hosts College Grad Banquet at Stubb's Bar-B-Q, Celebrates Milestone of Reaching Nearly 200 Graduates
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Members of the Breakthrough community gathered at Stubb's BBQ to commemorate the graduation of 22 new college graduates from the class of 2021, along with graduates from December 2019 and all of 2020 whose graduation celebrations were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, we recognized 53 college graduates from 30 colleges and universities around the country. The Breakthrough Graduates Banquet, held annually, is an intimate gathering for our most recent college graduates and their families. This life-changing achievement of becoming a first-generation college graduate marks the realization of a 12-year journey and commitment each of these students made in 6th grade. Read more.
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"Allow me to say something to you all as a first-gen grad myself, you have made history. You have made history by not only shaping the pathway for your community and family now, but also for the generations to come at Breakthrough and in your own families. I like to think of the term First- generation as the first of many. You will be the uncle, auntie, cousin, friend, mentor, and some of you parents or grandparents that others look up to for guidance on this path. You might be the first graduate, but you will not be the last."
- Claudia Ochoa, College Completion Coordinator
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Creating a Lasting Legacy: Meet Jabrell ScottBreakthrough College Graduate
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When Jabrell first joined Breakthrough in 6th grade, little did he know he would be creating a legacy for his family -- one his youngest brother could follow, and eventually his own children. Today, he describes becoming a first-generation college graduate as one of his biggest accomplishments. He recalls his middle school summers taking Bus 18 to the UT campus, an experience that led him to become an AmeriCorps summer teaching fellow further allowing him to give back to the community by working with kids whose shoes he was once in. Fast forward 4 years, Jabrell now holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with a minor in Public Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA).
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Jabrell was one of more than 50 Breakthrough students who became the first in the family to earn a college degree during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read his story.
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"While in college, I joined different organizations like NAACP and Men of Honor that were focused on improving the perception of African-American people and also African-American males on campus. I wanted to be a voice and a leader on my college campus for marginalized communities like ourselves and promote change. To take it a step further, I helped revitalize the prestigious Epsilon Sigma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. It took me being in multiple uncomfortable situations to grow and succeed. After all my efforts, I am a proud graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio."
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Doing the Work: Building a Stronger Practice of Allyship and Anti-Racism
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In 2017, Breakthrough launched The Change Team — a group of staff who volunteer their time to make our community and organization a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive place. Last year, we launched a partnership with Clem Consulting to help build an even stronger practice of allyship and anti-racism.
Through meeting observations, interviews with leadership, and focus groups with staff, Clem Consulting partnered with Breakthrough to design a training plan for continued learning through lectures and workshops, along with affinity groups to provide a space for staff to connect on difficult topics. Issues addressed have included Applying Critical Race Pedagogy to Non- Profit Work, Toxic Positivity and Redressing Hurt, and Preparing Students and Families of Color for the Navigation of Principally White Institutions.
Read more about Breakthrough’s Change Team in an exclusive Q&A with our chairs.
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“My hope for the Change Team is that we are mapping out real pathways for greater diversity, equity and inclusion at Breakthrough, and that the change we make will be lasting. I hope that through our efforts, we are able to better serve a greater diversity of students, and that our staff and AmeriCorps members are challenged to grow and expand both personally and professionally.”
-Erin Gentry, Change Team Co-Chair
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ICYMI: We're Bringing Live Events Back! Breakthrough Benefit Concert at 3Ten ACL Live, Nov 4
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Each year, Central Texans come together to raise funds and support for Breakthrough’s mission at our annual Breakthrough Benefit Concert. Join us on Nov 4 at 3TEN ACL LIVE to celebrate our students pursuing their postsecondary dreams! The event will feature a cocktail-hour reception and program followed by an intimate concert with Latin-funk band, Grupo Fantasma. Space is limited.
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| Breakthrough is proud to be an AmeriCorps program.
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