Thank you, Breakthrough Champions!

Pictured: Speakers Mayor Steve Adler, Michael Griffith, Alicia Flores and Jessica D'Arcy. For more pictures from the Champions Celebration, click here.
The 10th annual Champions Celebration, presented by Freescale, was truly and incredible event. It was our biggest Champions Celebration yet, bringing more than 350 dedicated Austinites together to celebrate Breakthrough and support students who are on their way to becoming first-generation college graduates. 
Mayor Steve Adler, our featured speaker, shared his experience as a first-generation college student and explained why he believes in Breakthrough. "Breakthrough is an organization that is in the trenches, on the front lines in making a spectacular difference in people's lives," he said.
The event also honored three Breakthrough Champions who have gone above and beyond to support Breakthrough students and families for many years: Neil Webber, founding board member; Applied Materials Foundation, founding supporter; and, Alicia Flores, Breakthrough alumna and current AmeriCorps member. "No matter how tough it was at home, or how many times we moved, Breakthrough was my constant. They were there for the long haul," said Alicia. "It's not an exaggeration to say that Breakthrough has transformed my life."
A $100,000 grant from Neil Webber, the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation and the Topfer Family Foundation matched al gifts made at Champions.
"We are so grateful to everyone who attended, donated, and shared in our celebration of Breakthrough's mission and our amazing students," said Michael Griffith, Executive Director.

Special Thanks to Our Champions Celebration Sponsors

Silicon Labs  |  Jeanne and Mickey Klein  |  Carolyn and Jack Long  |  Tiffany and Michael Nels  |  Heather and Russell Parker  |  Cheryl and Walt Penn  |  Keller Williams  |  PlainsCapital Bank  |  Aileen and Mike Aviles  |  Caryl and Art Custer  |  Fran and George Ramsey  |  Eileen and Jordan Silvergleid  |  Melba and Ted Whatley  |  Argyle Residential  |  Balcones Resources  |  Durbin Bennett  |  McGinnis Lochridge  |  TCG Group Holdings   |  America Alva and Brian Rubio  |  Lynne Rupp and Doug Brothers  |  Hannah Temple and Christopher Sanders  |  Karen and Barry Aidman  |  Brittney and Josh Barnette  |  Idona and Harry Griffith  |  Michael and Carrie Griffith  |  George and Trish Holland  |  Crystal and Kevin Kimbrough  |  Sanders Architecture  |  Liz and Duff Stewart  |  Tribeza

Congratulations, Class of 2015!

In 2009, a class of fifty 6th graders joined Breakthrough and made a commitment to their education. Today, those students are high school seniors, ready to graduate and enroll in college!
On Saturday, May 16, Breakthrough will honor our high school seniors at the annual Graduation Celebration. Students, parents and staff will share their memories from the last six years, and encourage students for future successes in college and beyond. Congratulations, Class of 2015! We couldn't be more proud of you.

Volunteers needed for the Kenneth Vickers Memorial Golf Tournament on May 18

The 4th annual Kenneth Vickers Memorial Golf Tournament, benefitting Breakthrough, will be held on Monday, May 18 at Riverplace Country Club. Tickets for the tournament are sold out, but we need volunteers to direct traffic and guide golfers. If you are able to join us for a short shift, please let us know!
The tournament is presented by Avison Young. Kenneth Vicers was a senior project manager at Cushman and Wakefield who passed away unexpectedly on May 8, 2012. Kenneth was well-known as a kind and caring individual, and each year his friends celebrate his memory with this golf tournament.
All proceeds from registration and sponsorships support Breakthrough Austin. Kenneth loved young people and would be happy to support a program that is helping hundreds of students succeed. All proceeds from cash events at the golf tournament, including a ball drop, mulligans, raffle tickets and a silent auction, will go to a scholarship fund for Kenneth's son, Carson.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information about volunteering or donating at this event, please contact charlie@breakthroughaustin.org.
College Houses for Summer Teachers
Every summer, college students from across the country head to Austin to spend nine weeks as teachers in Breakthrough's summer program. And thanks to College Houses, they have an affordable place to stay when they get here.
Our summer teachers pay just $415 for room and board for their entire nine-week stay in Austin, in the College Houses coop. This discounted rate is half what a student teacher would have to pay to live in the UT dorms, and it enables us to recruit the best student teachers possible. No qualified student teacher will have to miss the opportunity to spend a summer making a difference to Breakthrough students due to housing.
This summer, approximately 65 college students from out of state will enjoy this affordable housing option as they teach in our summer program. Thank you, College Houses!

Diversity Dash at St. Andrew's on Saturday, May 16

Attention, all Breakthrough runners! This Saturday, May 16, our partner St. Andrew's Episcopal School is holding its inaugural Diversity Dash. The 5K run will celebrate the growing diversity at St. Andrew's, as well as three partner organizations who are addressing the needs of under-served students in the Austin area: Breakthrough, Con Mi Madre and El Buen Samaritano. There will be prizes, pizzas and activities for the entire family! Breakthrough students, family members and volunteers are able to participate free of charge; email charlie@breakthroughaustin.org for details.

EDUCATION IN THE NEWS: Texas kids need more after-school options

Andrew Rodick and Molly Clayton, TribTalk
This afternoon, while the Texas Legislature is busy debating important public policy, our students will leave school for the day. But where will they go?
About 880,000 Texas students are currently involved in after-school programs at their school, community center or local nonprofit, where they engage in tutoring and homework help,enrichment and fun, and physical activity. Unfortunately, these oppportunities aren't available to many students. According to a recent survey, an additional 1.5 million Texas youth would participate in an after-school program if one were available in their community. Read more >
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