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NOVEMBER 2015

Happy Thanksgiving
from your Breakthrough family!

Students plan for their dream jobs with help from community leaders; volunteers needed on December 12

On November 7, local professionals joined Breakthrough students and their mentors at St. Stephen's Episcopal School for a day of career exploration.

Doctors, lawyers, journalists and engineers spoke with Breakthrough students who hope to follow in their footsteps. They told students about their jobs, and their own paths through college and career.

Students will use what they have learned from this unique opportunity in presentations they will give as part of a student-led career fair on December 12. Please join us to see the results of their career research! Click here to learn more about the Saturdays at St. Stephen's program, and attending the career fair.

Pictured: Breakthrough students with volunteers Jacob Chagoya (SolarWinds), Jennifer Stayton (KUT), and Christian Clarke Casarez (Austin Independent School Disctrict).

Maya and Shaka Smart help students Beat the Odds

Breakthrough's second annual Beat the Odds Benefit was a record-breaking success! Hundreds of Central Texans filled the Headliner's Club ballroom on November 3 to hear Honorary Chair Maya Smart give an impassioned call to action for educational equity.

"The difference between 'I want to go to college' and 'I expect to go to college' is vast, especially for aspiring first-generation college students... Breakthrough Austin resonates with me so much because it sets the expectation of college for every kid who wants it," said Smart. Click here to read the full speech.

The event, chaired by MariBen Ramsey and Karen Kahan, raised more than $280,000, an 85 percent increase from last year. This success was due in large part to a $25,000 matching gift from Diana and Gregg Lowe, and a surprise $25,000 gift from Maya and Shaka Smart. Click here to see more pictures from the event.

Thank you to our lead sponsors!

Carolyn and Jack Long | Jeanne and Mickey Klein | Cheryl and Walt Penn

Breakthrough is growing... and hiring!

Breakthrough is growing our team, and we are looking for dedicated and enthusiastic individuals to make a profound impact in the lives of our students and their families.

We are currently seeking a Development Associate, a Program Coordinator, and a Volunteer Coordinator. Please click here for the full postings, and spread the word!

Friends of First-Gen: Changing lives, one month at a time

Make your gift to Breakthrough do even more by becoming a Friend of First-Gen monthly donor. A small donation each month - the cost of an UBER ride or a few breakfast tacos - gives Breakthrough a reliable source of income that we can count on to provide year-round programming.

It's easy and affordable to become a Friend of First-Gen. Simply click here and choose the gift amount that is right for you. You'll give students in Central Texas the support they need to become first-generation college graduates.

Bright Futures for the high school class of 2015

In 2009, a group of 49 sixth grade students from across Austin made a commitment to their futures by joining Breakthrough. After six years of summer programs, homework help, and guidance counseling, this group of young adults has already accomplished a great deal.

The Breakthrough class of 2015 has worked hard to beat those odds. Now, they are finishing their first semester of college. We can't wait to see what their futures hold! Click here to meet Breakthrough's 45 college freshmen, and leave them a message of encouragement in the comments!

Meet Erika

Erika started her freshman year in September, but her journey to college began much earlier. The first in her family to graduate from high school, let alone go to college, she has had to work her whole life to get to this point.

Erika's parents have supported her in every way they can. But the complicated process of applying to and enrolling in college is new territory for the whole family. Fortunately, Erika has a resource that many students do not: she has Breakthrough.

This summer, Erika relied on Breakthrough more than ever. After being accepted into Our Lady of the Lake University, she was disappointed to learn that her financial aid package would not cover her tuition. Click here to read how Breakthrough helped Erika find a way to attend her dream school.

Experience Breakthrough

Please join us at one of these upcoming events, to meet our students and see your impact in action! All events are subject to change. Click here for more information or to RSVP.

College Application Work Time, Tuesday evenings
High school seniors work on college applications at the Breakthrough office every Tuesday. Staff and volunteer application coaches are on hand to help, and college representatives often visit during this time.

Living Newspaper, Saturday, December 12
Middle school students will bring current events to life by performing original skits based on recent headlines.

Career Fair, Saturday, December 12
Middle school students will hold a career fair, where they will present their dream jobs and the path to and through college that they will take to achieve their goals.

Partner Spotlight

Bazaarvoice has supported Breakthrough since 2011, and employees are frequent volunteers. Their annual backpack and healthy snack drives, coupled with their generous financial support, give our students the tools they need for school success.

Bazaarvoice is a member of Breakthrough's Corporate Council, a group of Austin businesses invested in helping low-income students in Central Texas become first-generation college graduates. Click here to see Breakthrough's corporate partners.

You can make a child's dream of a college education come true.

Donate today!

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