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BREAKTHROUGH AMPLIFIED: Alumni help us surpass Amplify Austin goal
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“Breakthrough was with me for 12-years helping me break down the barriers to becoming a first-gen college grad. When Amplify Austin came around, I had the opportunity to give back to the organization I called home and ensure younger generations of BT students continued to feel the love and support I received." - Karen Arredondo
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With your help and a generous matching gift from Launch Marketing, $45,446 was raised from 287 donors to help us enroll an additional 45 sixth graders into our Summer Academy this coming June, launching them on their path to college. Our goal this year was to continue to build our community by increasing the number of donors, not just dollars. But we couldn't have done it without the help of 15 volunteer fundraisers and a group of Breakthrough Alumni. For the very first time, our alumni came together to fundraise on behalf of the organization they've been apart of for nearly 12 years. By the conclusion of Amplify Austin, the alumni fundraising page had surpassed its $500 goal bringing in more than $1,200! Read more.
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Breakthrough announces addition of 5 Trustees to the Board
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We are pleased to welcome Jeanette Auerbach, Marc Chavez, Julie Fisher, Taylor Sisson, and Neil Webber to Breakthrough’s Board of Trustees! These community members bring a wealth of knowledge to our organization. Read more about our newest board trustees here.
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Breakthrough's Founding Supporter Recognized as 2019 AFP Oustanding Philanthropic Foundation
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In 2002, the Webber Family Foundation, under the instrumental leadership of trustee and founder Neil Webber, invested critical seed funding in Breakthrough that enabled it to launch and admit the program's first cohort of 41 students. Thanks to this partnership, Breakthrough has grown from serving 41 students in its first year of operation, to more than 1,700 students today. To recognize their work in Central Texas and with Breakthrough, Con Mi MADRE, and Creative Action, the Foundation was honored as the Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation at the 2019 Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon. Read more.
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"We’re generally working with smaller organizations that are striving to be bigger organizations...And, to see them grow from a set of slides on a piece paper to an ongoing, thriving organization — that is really motivating." - Neil Webber | Trustee & Chairman, Webber Family Foundation
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Breakthrough student selected to be Disney Dreamer
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Walt Disney World Resort announced the 100 teenagers who will be part of the 2019 Disney Dreamers Academy, a four-day trip where students roam throughout the Disney theme parks and go behind the scenes, as well as participate in career-oriented workshops, ranging from animation to zoology. Since his start in the program, Ian has been passionate about addressing food justice issues and working to help families facing hunger and food insecurity. For the last four years, he’s been a Katie’s Krops grower, where he receives funding to grow a healthy garden in his own backyard and give the produce to those in need. Read more.
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"By believing and following my dreams, I hope to make the world a better place for all." - Ian McKeen | Breakthrough Student, 10th Grader at LASA
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Partnership Between Breakthrough and St. Ed's Creates Career-Building Experiences for Students
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Breakthrough was honored to have our new partnership with St. Edward’s University highlighted in the recent article 7 Ways Austin Gives Students an Edge. Last spring, Breakthrough launched our first ever program to provide St. Edward’s undergraduate students field experience by engaging in authentic teaching of Breakthrough’s middle-school students. Undergraduate students lead workshops for Breakthrough middle schoolers from Del Valle ISD on three Saturdays during the semester, with the focus on helping students become better readers and writers.
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“The purpose of this project was to allow St. Edward’s students to experience working with middle-school students in the Breakthrough program ─ many of whom are also first-generation students ─ and serve as role models for them.” - Leslie Loughmiller| Associate Professor of Special Education, SEU
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You can make a child's dream of a college education come true.
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| Breakthrough is proud to be an AmeriCorps program.
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