2010 Tower Picture for Graduating Seniors

The date has been set for the 2010 Senior Tower Picture. On Friday, April 9th we’ll meet at the UT Tower for a Breakthrough Tower Picture Reunion and pizza at Austin’s Pizza! More details to follow!

Tour a College Campus with Breakthrough!  It’s never too early to begin going on COLLGE VISITS!  Breakthrough is offering sophomores and juniors visits in March, April, and May of 2010.

March 27 - University of North Texas

April 10th - Texas A&M University

May 8th - Houston area schools (tentative)

Transportation will be provided.  We have a limited number of spaces remaining. Please email Brook or call 692-9444 x 15 to reserve your spot. First come, first served!

St. Stephen's Saturdays:   This year, Breakthrough 7th and 8th graders will participate in five Saturday programs at St. Stephen’s School. Students will be challenged academically, will learn about college, and come together with BT friends!  St. Stephen’s is a highly rigorous and challenging private school in Austin, that also offers boarding to its students (that means, some students LIVE at school - just like college students!)!

Students will be picked up from schools close to their homes and taken to St. Stephen’s in the morning where we’ll have breakfast, begin classes, do team building activities, eat lunch, do homework, and end the day with special activities like swimming, hiking, rock climbing and games! Students will then be bussed back to their neighborhood school.

Each Saturday, students should bring their backpacks with all of their school work, homework, binders, and a book to read. They should also wear comfortable walking shoes.

WHO: All 7th and 8th graders

WHEN: February 27, March 27th, April 17th (remaining dates)

All 7th and 8th graders are expected to attend all of the St. Stephen's Saturdays.  If you have a conflict with any of the above dates, please communicate that to Michael or Jennifer!

Michael: 692-9444 x 19 or via email 

Jennifer: 692-9444 x 21 or via email

January 30, 2010

Road to College

On Saturday, January 30th, Breakthrough held its annual Road to College event. Students and families came together to learn more about the college-going process and attend several workshops aimed at milestones on the road to college. State Representative Eddie Rodriguez and former UT football player Ahmad Brooks showed their support and spoke to our families on the importance of following dreams and pursuing higher education.

May 16, 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

February 15, 2008

Austin Community College News

Check out Breakthrough student Manuel talking about Austin Community College's Early College Start program on YouTube!  Breakthrough encourages all of its students to take free college classes through this program.  We help our 10th graders with the application and enrollment process.

February 6, 2008

Havard Business School Alumni donate to Breakthrough

The Harvard Business School Alumni Association of Austin recently held an event and named Breakthrough as the beneficiary of the proceeds raised. On February 6, Breakthrough received a check for $3,000. We are grateful to the Harvard Business School Alumni Association of Austin and their support of Breakthrough’s mission and programs.

Top:  Gabriel, Kelly, Douglas Plummer, Gillian Coates, Kirsten St. Croix, Barry Aidman, Bill Loven, James

Bottom: Yariselis, Rebecca

July 27, 2006

History Day Fair
Breakthrough held its first annual History Day Fair on The University of Texas campus. The fair consisted of 12 student finalists who, after competing against 80+ other Breakthrough student presentations, presented to a panel of judges, using the standards of the National History Day Competition. The theme this year was Triumph and Tragedy in History, which students related to the 1965 Grape Strike, the work and life of Cesar Chavez, and the immigration issues of today. First, Second, and Third place awards were presented by Representative Eddie Rodriguez. Breakthrough students presented him with a memento of thanks for representing his constituents, and showing leadership in the Texas legislature for families. AT&T was the Honorary Sponsor of this year's History Day Fair. Pictured above are Breakthrough supporter and History Day Fair judge Jose Ofman, Representative Eddie Rodriguez, Breakthrough Executive Director Jessica D'Arcy, Breakthrough Development Committee Chair Ted Whatley, and AT&T Director of External Affairs Eva Munoz.

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

January 8, 2008 

Innovative Corporate Giving  

Breakthrough was fortunate to receive a donation recently from Texas Realty Capital as part of their “Funding the Future” Campaign. Texas Realty Capital specializes in debt and equity financing solutions for commercial real estate. When establishing their company, founders John Morran and Jim Lemos decided to set up a giving program. It was important that giving back to the community be an integral part of the culture of the company. From the beginning, they knew they wanted to focus on organizations that support youth, environment and services for the future of the Austin area.

John and Jim agreed to take 3% of the revenues received from each loan closing and set it aside in a separate fund from which charitable gifts would be made. It makes each closing mean something more than just funding a loan because they know that hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars from each closing will go back into the community. Towards the end of each year, everyone on staff recommends an organization they would like to submit for consideration. After research and discussion, the employees vote on the division and recipients of the monies collected.

When asked why his company chose Breakthrough, John Morran said “Breakthrough provides a great opportunity to help students in our community achieve a higher level of education than they would likely not obtain without the extra support and guidance (our program) offers. This will not only help them on a personal level in terms of self-esteem and quality of life, but it will help our community as they advance in their careers after school and serve as role models to their peers and families. We like to support programs that actively touch people’s lives on a personal level but can also have a multiplier effect for the benefit of the whole community.”

We are grateful to this innovative giving strategy of Texas Realty Capital.