June 18, 2008

Breakthrough receives Impact Austin grant!

Breakthrough received a pledge of $102,000 toward its 2008 and 2009 summer programs for low-income Austin ISD students working to become first-generation college graduates.

The grant will support a key component of Breakthrough’s program: a six-week, academic summer session for rising 7th and 8th graders on the UT campus.  Students will take English, science, math and history classes, as well as electives and study skills, and will complete two hours of homework every night.  All the teaching in the middle school program is done by 24 exceptional and diverse college and high school students selected through a nationwide search process and mentored by Master Teachers.  According to Executive Director Barry Aidman, “Over the next two summers, this grant will allow us to launch 135 middle schoolers on the path to college, strengthening their academic skills and providing mentors who demonstrate that ‘it’s cool to be smart’ and that going to college is both possible and important.  As these students advance to high school and then earn college degrees, they will have the power to end poverty in their family lines forever.”

We are grateful to the women of Impact Austin for their generous support!

May 20, 2008

New Partnership with St. Stephen's Episcopal School

Breakthrough is pleased to announce a partnership with St. Stephen’s Episcopal School that will result in expanded academic and enrichment activities for our students. Beginning in the fall of 2008, St. Stephen’s students will become mentors and tutors to Breakthrough students both at our Breakthrough office and on the St. Stephen's campus in West Austin. When deciding to partner with St. Stephen's, a key goal was to get both our students and St. Stephen’s students to cross Interstate 35, a roadway that divides populations in the city. On five Saturdays next year we will transport our students to St. Stephen’s campus for a full day of enrichment and academic activities, instilling in our students a college-going experience and attitude and providing a chance for St. Stephen’s students to give back to the community in a meaningful way. We are thrilled to be able to offer Breakthrough students this opportunity and are thankful for St. Stephens' partnership.

May 6, 2008

College Admissions News

Congratulations to the following 2008 students on their acceptances:

Aaron:  University of Texas at San Antonio

Anthony: Navarro Junior College, Temple Junior College, Texas State University, Tyler Junior College, University of New England, University of Northern Arizona

Ashley (right): University of Texas at San Antonio, Concordia University, Our Lady of the Lake University

Autumn: Louisiana State University, Texas Christian University, Trinity University, University of Houston, University of North Texas

Daija (right): Texas Lutheran University, Texas Tech University, University of North Texas, University of Northern Arizona, University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas

at San Antonio

Dezarae: Concordia University

Efe:  Austin Community College

Frances: North Harris Community College

Gaby: Texas A&M International University

Genesis: Lewis & Clark College, Oregon State University, State University of New York Environmental Science and Forestry Program, Texas A&M University, University of Alaska Southeast, University of Colorado, University of Maine, University of Northern Arizona

Hollieica:  Prairie View A&M University, Grambling State University

Jasmine: Texas Southern University

Juan:  University of Texas at San Antonio

Kitoma: Austin Community College

Leslie: Marymount University, Northern Arizona University, Simmons College, Suffolk University, University of Texas at Austin, Wesleyan University

Mario:  Texas A&M International University

Perla:  Austin Community College

Punam (right): University of Texas at Arlington, Texas State University

Raquel:  Lamar University

Rogelio (right):  University of Texas at San Antonio

Sarah:  Baylor University, Our Lady of the Lake University, Texas State University, Texas Women's University, University of Texas at San Antonio

Shanece:  Trinity Valley Junior College

Shayra:  Angelo State University, Stephen F. Austin University, Texas Southern University, Texas State University

Shunetra:  Blinn Junior College

Sumatra (right): Angelo State University, Stephen F. Austin State University, University of Texas at San Antonio

Telvi (right): University of Houston, University of North Texas, University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University

Veronica: St. Mary's University

Will (right):  Angelo State University, University of Houston, University of North Texas

Yvonne:  Texas State University, University of Texas at Arlington, University of Texas-Pan American, University of Texas at San Antonio