Breakthrough New York

I fell in love with this program the first time I met the students and teachers. Just listening to them made me realize the positive impact this program has on the lives of the families it touches. Breakthrough New York is providing vital support to highly-motivated, low-income kids putting them on a part to college. 100% of the students go to rigorous high schools and for year colleges. The program introduces the students to worlds that they never knew existed and supports them along the way. In addition, Breakthrough New York uses college and high school students as teachers. The program trains them to teach effectively. As a result, a large percentage of them go on to careers in education. Volunteer or visit once and you'll see what I mean.

As a previous alum I can truly say Breakthrough New York is an amazing program! It was of great help for my parents as well as myself being that I was first generation to be educated in the US. I highly recommend the program as it offers many great opportunities as well as provides fantastic education not only during the time enrolled in the program but also the future.I thank Breakthrough for the confidence as well as standards it instilled and inspired in me. Thank you Breakthrough for all you have done for me and continue to do.
Best,
Jennifer Fernandez, Class of 05'

As someone who's volunteered for several education non-profits, I have no reservations saying that BTNY is the most impactful one of all. Breakthrough's staff trains its high school tutors, college summer teaching interns and adult volunteers expertly and thoroughly, ingraining in them a passion for teaching and the skills necessary to teach effectively. Perhaps most importantly, BTNY is 100%, always, all about the kids. Breakthrough staff members and volunteers get to know each child individually, and sustain meaningful relationships over the kids' 6-year commitment. Unprompted, BTNY students will often say that they are part of the "Breakthrough family." As a volunteer, I feel this way as well.

Breakthrough New York has a sterling reputation for high-quality programming and long-term relationships with their students. It is great to know that organizations like this exist for New York city kids.

I am the parent of a second year student in the Breakthrough NY program. I am very pleased and grateful with the program and its staff. My son was already a good student, but through his work and utilizing the resources of BT has grown so much as a student. The staff is engaging, thoughtful, and well prepared. The teaching model is ideal and I believe makes a significant impact on the students having young, motivated teachers who also can serve as mentors. The support structure is also present for parents. Having a program like BT which serves students who can achieve, but are in financial need is a gift for both the parents and students. BT students are well rounded, respectful, and self motivated. I can not imagine attempting the high school and college process without this resource. Due to cost, I fear my son would not have access to the resources to enable him to compete on a higher level without BT. I only wish other students in need that possess the talent could experience BT. BT is offered at no cost to families, and I know that takes major funding from other sources. BT is an excellent program to help fund because the students really do succeed and achieve so much through the program. They not only build their scholastic skills, but also build life skills through other enrichment activities offered in the program. I do not have any negative comments simply because the staff is responsive and continues to improve the program, workshops, activities, and expectations of both students and parents. Their high student success rate year after year signifies that they are able to achieve their mission consistently.

Being a BTNY school-year tutor as well as a program intern has been an amazing opportunity and experience for me.

The students are hardworking, dedicated, and intelligent. Going into each session on Mondays and Wednesdays are the best part of my week just because of who I get to work (students as well as fellow tutors).

Not only are the students fabulous; the faculty and staff here is extremely astounding. They work hard alongside one another (filling in where needed and moving through task completition), so well that the success of this program thus far is not surprising. The staff always puts students first and strives to reach out to them in more ways than one.

With stupendous students as well as the wonderful faculty and staff, this college-access program continues and will continue to make an impact.