016
Annual Report
un∙de∙ni∙a∙ble (adjective) \`ən-di-`nī-ə-bəl\
1 plainly true, incontestable: <an undeniable fact> 2 unquestionably excellent or genuine: <an applicant with undeniable references>
our mission
1
To prepare motivated middle and high school students with limited educational opportunities
for success in rigorous college-preparatory high school programs and entry into four-year colleges.
2
To prepare outstanding high school and college students to enter careers in education.
D e ar F r i e n d s a n d S u p p o r t e r s ,
un∙de∙ni∙a∙ble:
2: unquestionably excellent
Breakthrough Silicon Valley. It was a year of
They persevere in the face of financial
2016 was a highly successful year at
growth, as we served our largest cohort to date, over 450 students across more than 40 schools, while refining our program in anticipation of serving 150 more by 2018. The year saw us reaching in new directions, as our recent graduates matriculated to colleges across the U.S. and even overseas. We formed an exciting new partnership with Santa Clara University, bringing our summer program to a university campus and offering students an inspiring, first-hand glimpse of collegiate life.
1: plainly true
The commitment of our students is undeniable. hardships and limited resources. In a recent survey, 95% of Breakthrough parents believe our program positively impacted their child’s attitude towards their goal of attending college. Likewise, we salute the 440 hard-working volunteers who devoted 2780 hours this year in tireless support of our mission, guiding mock interviews, hosting Career Exploration Days, tutoring students and much more. Our volunteers and partners are invaluable, allowing us to run a cost-effective
Our results speak for themselves:
operation that maximizes the giving of our
Breakthrough Silicon Valley’s model of making
donor community.
a comprehensive, long-term commitment to our students works. Not only were 100% of our Class of 2016 accepted to four-year colleges and universities, because we prepare students both academically and emotionally, our alumni are thriving as they pursue their degrees. These results are remarkable considering the bleak statistics showing just one in ten lowincome students graduate from college. Undeniable as well, is Breakthrough’s success inspiring outstanding high school and college students to pursue careers in education. In June, 55 teaching fellows joined us to teach in our middle school summer program. Many came from backgrounds similar to our
We invite you to read on to see more of what made Breakthrough so undeniable in 2016. Read the stories about our students: their dreams, challenges, and inspiring grit. Get a glimpse of our college-focused programming as well as our new Educational Leadership Council. Learn about our volunteers and staff, and the unwavering focus they bring to their work. Every child deserves the chance to reach their full potential. Thank you for joining us as together, we open the doors that transform lives. Sincerely,
students’, demonstrating by example that hard work leads to achievement. After their summer experience, 76% of our teaching
Greg Murphy
fellows indicated a desire to pursue a career
Chair, Board of Directors
in education.
2016 Highlights
january Career Preparation Workshop series for 10th grade students kicks off with Resume Writing followed by Mock Interviews and Career Exploration Day, building career-focused skills and exposure to local careers.
may 100% of Class of
april
2016 accepted to
Breakthrough accepts largest-ever
four-year colleges
cohort of 6th graders, granting
and universities,
admission to 109 students.
from Yale to UC Berkeley and over 90 campuses in
june
between.
Santa Clara University hosts first-ever Breakthrough summer programming on a college
july
campus, offering students inspiring firsthand look.
STEM professionals share expertise with middle school cohort through handson activities at STEM Challenge. Silicon Valley professionals offer networking tips to alumni at inaugural Breakthrough “To and Through College” event hosted by LinkedIn.
october november Educational Leadership Council convenes, bringing together local educational leaders to advise staff on curriculum, teaching practices, student assessments and more.
6th Annual “Are You Smarter than a Breakthrough Student?” fundraising event raises nearly $300,000.
undeniable
impact 453
students served
60%
live in a high crime neighborhood
76%
receive free or reduced price lunch
89%
first generation in family to attend college
100%
of our 2016 graduates matriculated at college
What happens during a day in the life of a Breakthrough student? Opportunity happens. And what a difference opportunity makes. For 12-year-old William, the difference is being the first in his family to earn a college degree. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal safety and financial stability. The difference is a new beginning.
6:30 am â&#x20AC;&#x153;I like to get up early.â&#x20AC;? William lives with his mother and 16-year-old brother. They moved to the U.S. when the boys were targeted by violent gangs in their native El Salvador.
a day
in the
life
10:15 am 7:45 am
“My mom drops me at school. Sometimes she goes back home to sleep for an hour before work, if she can.” William’s mother, Maria, works two jobs as a cook. His brother works part-time after school. William knows that when he’s old enough, he’ll do the same to help the family make ends meet.
3:30 pm
“We learn about atoms in Science. They are the tiniest things in the world!” Science fascinates William, but his friends aren’t as interested in school. None have plans for college. Their school serves a population that, statistically, will see just one in ten graduate from college. Sadly, many won’t even finish high school.
“We get the extra help we need. Breakthrough will help me get into college.”
1:30 pm
After school, William heads to
William dreams of a career as an
Breakthrough Silicon Valley
engineer. He got his first glimpse
where the middle school After
during the STEM Challenge in
School Program emphasizes
Breakthrough’s summer program,
academic excellence and skills like
where real-life engineers talked
collaboration, communication, and
about their work.
“Math is easy for me. I like solving problems.”
critical thinking – skills for success
11:00 am
“English is grammar and verbs. If I get an A, I won’t need language support anymore.” Maria struggles with English, so William translates for her. He takes the responsibility in stride. That’s how his family survives.
in school and life.
9:30 pm
“College will help me get a better job. I’ll be able to help my family.”
6:30 pm
“My mom wants to be with me, but because of work she can’t.” Many evenings, the boys are on their own. Dinner is a simple meal they cook together. Afterward, they play a quick game of soccer and finish their homework.
With the light turned out, his backpack ready for a new day, William looks ahead with undeniable optimism. What a difference opportunity makes.
“Breakthrough helped me become a lot more confident, to push myself out of my comfort zone.” – Kim Luong, Breakthrough Silicon Valley Class of 2016, UC San Diego Class of 2020
A New Chapter Begins
I
n many ways, Kim Luong is the quintessential
navigate, and rigorous coursework to master, she says,
Breakthrough Silicon Valley student – bright,
“It was a little overwhelming at first. But new and exciting
motivated, hard-working. In her first year at UC San
too!” Now, as each quarter draws to a close, she finds
Diego, she’s stepping up to rigorous academic challenges
herself adapting, growing, and most importantly, seeking
with confidence and a can-do spirit.
help when she needs it. “It’s human nature to doubt
Underlying her determination though, is a wisdom
yourself. But I’ve found my niche now.”
unusual for one her age. Kim’s journey has been marked
Kim recently declared her major in international studies
by tragic circumstances a young person should never
with a focus on business. She’s interested in a career in
have to face. Midway through high school, her father
marketing and hopes to pursue an internship in the field
died suddenly. The memory remains harsh and raw. “I
during her upcoming summer break.
felt lost in this seemingly foreign reality where I had no control.” Yet in the midst of despair, she recalls, “I found self-growth in my hardships, a new path worth venturing in the future, and genuine love and support from my Breakthrough community.”
As a first-generation college student, she values the support she received at Breakthrough. Kim’s parents didn’t have the opportunity to attend college in their native Vietnam. Their options were limited in the aftermath of war. Kim knows doors have opened for her
This past fall, Kim embarked on her college journey
that were closed for them. “Breakthrough helped me get
at UC San Diego. While some of her classmates felt
into a really good college. I couldn’t have done it without
understandably cautious, Kim charged courageously
Breakthrough. It was lots of little things that together
ahead. Roommates to meet, an expansive campus to
made a huge difference in my life.”
boldinitiatives Santa Clar a Universit y Partnership
A
highlight of 2016 was the partnership we formed with
Educational Leadership Council
B
reakthrough Silicon Valley is devoted to offering the best out-of-schooltime learning to our students, and we continually work to improve our
effectiveness. With this goal in mind, we launched our Educational Leadership
Santa Clara University, allowing
Council in Fall 2016. Charged with advising staff on a variety of topics
Breakthrough Silicon Valley to
including curriculum, teaching practices, professional development, student
significantly magnify our impact as
assessments, program evaluation, and college counseling, the council brings
we work together on behalf of low-
together an impressive group of local educational leaders.
income students in our community.
Among other topics, the group will explore metrics on student and teacher
SCU hosted Breakthrough’s summer
outcomes, pathways to credentialing programs and teaching residencies
program for students from the San
for teaching fellows, and ways to expand our network of educational
Jose Unified School District, offering
professionals to advance our mission.
them the exciting opportunity to experience a college campus firsthand. And last fall, Santa Clara
Thank you to the founding council members for their time, expertise, and guidance.
Liberal Studies students gained real-world teaching experiences in Breakthrough’s After-School Program. We’ve mapped a vision for other collaborative projects as well. Building on the university’s Thriving Neighbors Initiative serving 3rd7th grade students at Washington
Educational Leadership Council Members Chris Funk, CHAIR, Superintendent, East Side Union High School District Karen Allard, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Franklin-McKinley School District Edwin Avarca, Assistant Director, Summit Public Schools LaDonna Butler, Assistant Principal of Guidance and Equity, Abraham Lincoln High School Alejandro Frontini, Principal, Bridges Academy Susan Hanson, Senior Researcher, New Teacher Center Laura Reeve, Assistant Head of School, The Girls' Middle School
Elementary School, Breakthrough
Wendy Savinar, District Secondary ELA Instructional Coach, San Jose Unified School District
programs would extend support
Mark Silver, Head of School, Hillbrook School
through high school, creating a
Ariel Morris Spector, Director of Curriculum and Programming, Breakthrough Silicon Valley
robust college pathway for a young population in need.
college bound
Th e B r e a k t hr o u g h W ay
A
t Breakthrough Silicon Valley,
one-on-one counseling, field trips, and
the journey to college begins
hands-on workshops on topics from college
from the moment each
Progr amming Highlights
student steps inside our
door. Whether learning about the “college
applications to ACT/SAT prep. During junior year, students take a three-day tour of Southern California universities like
of the day” in the middle school Summer
Freshman Year
UCLA, USC, and Loyola Marymount. They
Program or exploring a UC campus on
Freshmen 1:1 Meetings
craft strong personal statements at an
the 9th grade Family College Field Trip,
Family College Field Trip
overnight College Application Boot Camp
each Breakthrough experience exists
the summer before senior year.
as a carefully designed stop in a lifechanging six-year journey.
Sophomore Year
Long-term relationships, personalized
Sophomore 1:1 Meetings
guidance, and trust intertwine as
Breakthrough students are bright and
Career Preparation Series:
Breakthrough supports each student
academically motivated. But they
Resume Writing Workshop,
on the path to college. The results are
navigate a world where financial
Mock Interviews,
struggles and personal safety are
Career Exploration Day
everyday worries, on top of grades
College Systems Workshop for Parents
undeniable: 100% of the Class of 2016 were
and schoolwork. Breakthrough students are also among the first generation in their families to go to college. As trailblazers facing significant challenges, they need support to reach their college goals – crucial support that schools and families are often ill-equipped to provide.
Junior Year
accepted to four-year institutions, from Santa Clara University to Harvard and more than 90 schools
Junior 1:1 Meetings
in between. 80% were admitted
ACT/SAT Workshops
to at least one University of
Exploring Majors & Careers Workshop Southern California College Trip Net Price Calculator Workshop
California campus including Berkeley, San Diego, and UCLA. 89% were admitted to California State Universities,
Summer Before Senior Year
including a remarkable seven
Our college-focused
College Application Boot Camp
students accepted to Cal Poly
programming builds
Personal Statement Boot Camp
San Luis Obispo. Private
skills low-income, firstgeneration students need to get into and through college. Our curriculum includes comprehensive
college acceptances included
Senior Year Senior 1:1 Meetings College Application Workshop Financial Aid Workshop Financial Aid and College Decision 1:1 Meetings High School to College Transition Workshop Post-Graduation Check Ins
Stanford, Yale, Duke, NYU, Pomona, Northeastern, Boston University, Willamette, Wesleyan, and many more.
Meet Jenny Uribe College Counselor
O
ne of the first things you notice about Jenny
“Without Breakthrough, these students would be
Uribe is her warm, welcoming smile. And
in danger of falling through the cracks – maybe not
when she talks about our juniors and seniors,
even graduating from high school, let alone going to
you get a glimpse of the undeniable passion she brings
college. At Breakthrough, they work really hard. And
to her role as Breakthrough Silicon Valley’s college
they’re surrounded by a peer group that’s motivated
counselor.
to go to college, too.”
“I’ve worked with a lot of low-income, first-generation
Jenny meets with students and parents one-on-one,
students. But when I see Breakthrough students’
and conducts workshops and field trips guiding
transcripts, I’m so impressed. They are excelling in
them through each important step of the college
extremely rigorous classes.”
application process, everything from crafting solid
As a first-generation college graduate, Jenny relates to her students’ experience.
application essays to financial aid counseling and planning for the transition to college. She provides crucial guidance and resources that open the door
“Breakthrough students tend to minimize their
to college and the life-changing opportunities our
challenges. They assume their struggles are the same
students deserve.
as all kids face,” she says.
“I love my job: getting to know each student’s story, and then thinking about how a college is going to make a dramatic shift in their life!”
volunteer power In 2016, an inspiring team of volunteers pitched in to help us with everything from STEM Challenges and mock interviews to Career Exploration Days, tutoring, and more.
Companies that volunteered
440 volunteers
with Breakthrough in 2016: Adobe, Amazon Web Services, Apigee, Apple, Applied Materials, Aruba Networks, Bank of the West, CEFCU, Coursera, Dell EMC, Deloitte, eBay, Google, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Intel Capital, LinkedIn, Lockheed Martin, NetApp, PwC, Quixey, San Jose Sharks, SanDisk, Silicon Valley Bank, SurveyMonkey, Symantec, Technology Credit Union, Terapede, Texas Instruments, Ubisoft, Xactly
Breadboard Circuits built at Breakthrough STEM
Challenges with guidance from professionals from Applied Materials, Aruba, Google, LinkedIn, Lockheed Martin, Quixey, SanDisk, Terapede, and Texas Instruments.
Tutoring hours
460
Career Prep hours
Mock interviews conducted with Silicon Valley professionals
105
263
18 companies
Backpacks for students
professionals from
participated in Career Exploration Days
626
180
1090
filled with school supplies by 80 Google employees
Hours of students teaching students
“Tutoring at Breakthrough is one of the best parts of my week and certainly the most rewarding. Being able to a student’s self-esteem, confidence, and curiosity through direct academic support is satisfying in a way that launching a new app never could be. And nothing beats the
positively influence
financial
data
32%
—D onald Placek, Silicon Valley engineer and Breakthrough volunteer
2780
Fundraising Events
$534,258
$292,578
2%
24%
Other
$34,391
Corporations $413,196
25%
Individuals $421,954
Income
light in a student’s eye
or the verbal “aha!” when something clicks and their understanding deepens.”
17%
Foundations
$1,696,377
5%
Management and General, $64,793
80%
12%
Program
Fundraising
$1,078,588
$164,323
3%
Special Events $35,698
E xpenses $1,343,402
Total volunteer hours
*Unaudited financial data for the fiscal year 2/1/16 - 1/31/17
supporters Tha n k y o u t o o u r
Valedictorian ($50,000+) Applied Materials Michelle Cale* and Duncan Greatwood Intrepid Philanthropy Foundation Quest Foundation Sharks Foundation Silicon Valley Community Foundation Texas Instruments
Salutatorian ($20,000-$49,999) Adobe Elena Marimo Berk* The Campbell Foundation Jim* and Lin French Wanda and Lance Ginner Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Judy and Robert Huret Leo M. Shortino Family Foundation Greg Murphy* and See-Ming Phan Susan Newman and Mike Dixon Pricewaterhouse Coopers Roger Rosner and Rowena Dodson SanDisk Sobrato Family Foundation State of California Department of Education The Scott Foundation, Shannon Hunt-Scott* and Kevin Scott Webb Family Foundation Westly Foundation Tania* and Jon Wilcox
William and Charlene Glikbarg Family Foundation Yellow Chair Foundation
Summa Cum Laude ($10,000-$19,999) Bank of America Breakthrough Collaborative Cisco Systems City of San Jose Google Vlado and Cipora Herman Greg and Victor Leung Lockheed Martin Illiana and Stephan Memmen Nicholas B. Ottaway Foundation Melanie and Eric Piziali Jeff and Veronica Polini Matt and Allison Railo SAP Michael and Kathy Scandling Ruth Sherer Silicon Valley Bank Silicon Valley Out-of-SchoolTime Collaborative Sherice* and Angel Torres Brian and Carol Underwood Maria* and Issac Vaughn
Magna Cum Laude ($5,000-$9,999) Agami Incorporated Kathleen Bennett and Thomas Malloy Boston Private Bank & Trust Company CEFCU Dell EMC Corporation Jennifer and Leonard Dulski Kevin and Sigrid Eyres
Jonathan Heiliger and Germaine Yokoyama-Heiliger Hillbrook School Intero Foundation Christine* and Dave Kennedy Phil Kurjan and Noel Butler Jane Machin and Jeremy Doig Mary Anderson Harrison Foundation Silicon Valley Cares Technology Credit Union Sharon Timoner* and Chris Sobczyn Vive Church (C3SV)
Cum Laude ($1,000-$4,999) Steve Adams and Lilo Campeau Mitra Ahani and Dave Tollner Steven Blank and Alison Elliott Joanna and Ben Boyer David Bruni and Marita Quint David Callaway Emily and Jon Cervino Marianne Chowning and Todd Dray Ellen and Sean Dempsey Allyce Diehl Christy and Peter Doyle East Side Union High School District eBay Ros and Mark Edmonds Sally and Tom Edsall Alison Edwards Joanne and Kevin Faulkner Shirley and Marc Feldman Foundation for Hispanic Education Kenna and Mark French Sarah Friar
Lynda and Richard Greene Shobana Gubbi Joel and Vicki Hagberg Douglas Hansen David and Pamela Hornik Mark and Michele Janes Greg and Donna Kostigen Christina Lai and Ron Ho Tom and Patty Larkins Jean and Charlie Leeming Kaylyn and Marc Lehmann Ronnie and Karen Lott Sujatha Mandava and Ramana Devarapalli Mary McGrath Roberto Medri Jeff and Annelise Mora James Morris and Robin Appel Peter Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Riordan and Diana Darcy Amanda Peiffer Vidya Rajagopalan and Sribalan Santhanam Charles Read Elizabeth Reid Brad and Judy Rosch Sand Hill Foundation Gerry and Lela Sarnat Amber and Dan* Shaw Anthony Shortland and Yinkwan Chen Mark and Carla Silver* Jennifer and Steve Stagnaro Mark and Michele Stefan Minnie Uppuluri Pedro and Luciana Vecchi Katie Weber and Nate Mueller Jonathan and Cynthia Wilcox The Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich and Rosati Foundation Leslie and Mike Wood Xilinx Joseph Zullo and Cayce Hill
*Denotes Breakthrough Silicon Valley Board Member Donations received between February 1, 2016 and January 31, 2017. While we work hard to assure the accuracy of our donor information, we apologize if any names have been inadvertently misspelled or omitted.
Distinction ($250-$999) Apple Corporation Keyvan Askari Chris and Daisy AugerDominguez Brian Berg and Joyce Avery Susan and Mark Boennighausen Madonna Bolano Drs. Lee Anna and David Botkin Isaac Bowen Christina Brandt Daniel Carroll Catering for all Occasions Mustafiz & Rasheda Choudhury John Chun and Barbara Watanabe Combined Federal Campaign Juan and Lupe Cruz Karen and J.D. Daniels Ozer Dondermacioglu and Alyssa Houk Karen and Michael Dreyfus Deirdre Findlay Luana Freitag Chris and Leslie Funk Martin Gonzales George Hamma Colleen Harlan Jennifer and Mark Hartney Janet Hedley and Richard McCormack Brandon Heiman Brad Day and Aleida Hernandez Rob Iverson Peeyush Jain and Ann Smith Leila and Joakim Johansson Andy Johns Melissa and Nathan Johns Mariam Karim Joan Karlin and Paul Resnick Shruti Khoundinya Janikke Klem Uma Kottali Jane Kroeten
Alisa and Steve Lewis Lexus of Stevens Creek Adam Li and Jie Qu Jia Liu Melissa Llorente Abraham Lopez Marjorie Lucks and Dorian West Eden and Josh Maisel Daniela Martinez April and Ron Mason Mark and Lisa McClenahan Dennis and Kelly McHaffie Era Nangia Rob Newton Tim Pebworth Public Profit Subha Rajana Laura Reeve Barbara and Greg Richmond Wendy Riggs and Nick Tingle Steve and Casey Robertson Mike and Marnie Rohde Fran Rosch Cindy and Steve Rowe Andy Russell Marguerita and Gary Sasser Cam Schwab Jane Segal John Shadden Eileen and Jim Shydlowski Diana Silva Diane Solinger Pravin Soni and Amy Wurtzburger Roshni Srinivasan Alison Steel Chris Stephens Valori Stitt Vera Sudjono Eric and Stephanie Tilenius Alison and Frank Van Diggelen Sharon and John Wible Kendall Wilkinson Kirk and Rebecca Williams Kerei Yuen Holly Zuklie
Honors ($100-$249) Dipankar and Ishita Acharya Larry and Jan Alder Linda and Tom Alvarez Silvia Alvarez Smitha Anand Mokshada Anji Joe Anzalone Rosemary Barnes Susan Bass and Dennis Pascoe Sabah Baxamoosa Ricardo Benavidez Meredith Best Natascha Bock Brian Brockhouse and Jean Meyer Marcie and Chet Brown Ellyn Bush Alana Callagy Stephanie Carol Jody and Curtis Chang Joseph Connolly Franca Cozzitorto Andrea and Sean Cutright Christine DeVoto Gaby DiMuro Cammie Dunaway Michelle Earvin Cruz Emily Ellis Lance Fors and Shari Selover Val Freytag Roberta Friedman and Leslie Kornblum Anand Gangadharan Angela Gonzalez Judy and Glenn Goodson Jenna Green Meera and Somesh Gupta Lindsay Hagan Susan* and Don Hanson Richard Hanz Elisabeth Herrera-Strand Huong Hoang Becky Huff Patty Humecke Hannah Hunt Lori Kahn Todd and Julie Kaye Louise Lee
Melanie Lei Carol J. Lerdal Michele Madansky Elisabeth Martin Sesek and Edward Sesek Megan Miller Kirsten and Brian Missett Andrea Moed Monica Montefiore Shana and Russ Moore Ariel Morris and Eli Spector Jonathan Mosney Mateen Muhammad Drs. Sharon and Carl Nash Padmaja Nimmagadda Shawn Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor Carolyn Okashima Adams Roopa Pai Christina Pak Erica and Rich Pelavin Cecilia Pinto Bennett Porter Klaus and Ellen Porzig Joshua Ramey-Renk Richard and Catherine Robbins Larry and Jan Segre Laura Segre Drs. Laura and Loy Seitel Tom Shadden Kasim Shaikh Lisa and Glenn Solomon The Thacher School Jennifer Turner Ian Van Wert Jake and Trish Vandenberg Angel Vidal Daniel Visnick Connor Vogel Rebecca Wahl Jessica Wenzel James Westbury Diane Westgate Tina Ybarra
Many thanks to our donors who contributed gifts up to $100. We are grateful for your support!
Partners AJ Tutoring Bellarmine College Preparatory Beyond 12 Braven East Side Union High School District Franklin-McKinley School District Glow Hillbrook School Notre Dame High School San Jose Unified School District Santa Clara University US2020
Board of Directors Elena Marimo Berk Founder of the Creekside School Michelle Cale Community Volunteer Jim French, Treasurer National Office Partner/Corporate Responsibility Leader at PwC Shannon Hunt-Scott President at The Scott Foundation
Christine Kennedy Legal Consultant to Avanade Greg Murphy, Chair Vice President of Business Operations at Aruba Networks Rogelio Ruiz Attorney at Rehon & Roberts Carla Robbins Silver Executive Director at Leadership + Design Dan Shaw Vice President at Casco Financial Sharon Timoner Vice President of Human Resources Legal at Applied Materials Sherice Torres Marketing Director at Google Maria Nash Vaughn Community Volunteer Board members Susan Hanson, Kahlil Morse, and Tania Wilcox stepped down during 2016. We are grateful for their tireless service and unwavering dedication to our mission.
Staff Dora Beyer High School Program Coordinator Tina Briceño Student Services and Partnerships Manager Johnny Du Development Manager Stephanny Ledezma Middle School Program Coordinator Ariel Morris Spector Director of Curriculum and Programming Peter O’Riordan Interim Executive Director Lina Raffaelli Community Engagement Coordinator Ann Smith Special Projects Coordinator David Tárula Chávez Middle School Program Manager Bryan Tomlinson College Readiness Manager Jenny Uribe College Counselor Barbara Watanabe Director of Strategic Partnerships
special
thanks Melissa Johns
2016 ended on a bittersweet note for all of us at Breakthrough Silicon Valley. After five highly successful years, Melissa Johns stepped down as our executive director.
instrumental in establishing a strategic partnership with
Melissaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unwavering conviction that all young people
professionalism with a warm and fun-loving personal
deserve access to quality educational opportunities, regardless of their background or familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s socioeconomic level, has served as a beacon to Breakthrough supporters and staff. Under her strong leadership, Breakthrough embarked on a major expansion to serve a second school district while significantly improving the quality of service to our students and their families. Melissa was
Santa Clara University that in 2016 brought Breakthrough summer programming to a college campus for the first time ever. She forged lasting relationships with our supporters and worked tirelessly to strengthen our financial stability. The rare leader who combines impeccable style, Melissaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tenure at Breakthrough Silicon Valley will be remembered with both admiration and great fondness. She inspired our students, parents, supporters, staff, and board members alike, modeling that hard work coupled with generosity of spirit is an undeniably winning combination.
Colleges that said
â&#x20AC;&#x153;YES!â&#x20AC;? to our Class of 2016
Azusa Pacific University Barry University Baylor University Beloit College Boston College Bowdoin College Cal Poly Pomona Cal Poly San Luis Obispo California College of the Arts California Lutheran University Calvin College Capitol Technology University Carleton College Case Western Reserve University Centre College Champlain College Chapman University Clark University Concordia University of Texas
Creighton University CSU Channel Islands CSU Chico CSU Dominguez Hills CSU East Bay CSU Fresno CSU Fullerton CSU Long Beach CSU Los Angeles CSU Monterey Bay CSU Northridge CSU Sacramento CSU San Bernardino CSU San Marcos CSU Stanislaus Dominican University of California Duke University Emory University Fordham University Gonzaga University Harvard University Haverford College Hawaii Pacific University Hobart and William Smith College Hofstra University Holy Names University Humbolt State University Illinois Institute of Tech Johnson and Wales University Lewis & Clark College Loyola Marymount University Loyola University Chicago Menlo College
Mount Holyoke College New York University Northeastern University Northwestern University Notre Dame de Namur University Occidental College Ohio Wesleyan University Pomona College Regis University Rhodes College San Diego State University San Francisco State University San Jose State University Santa Clara University Seattle University Seton Hall University Sonoma State University St. Edwards University Stanford University UC Berkeley UC Davis UC Irvine UC Los Angeles UC Merced UC Riverside UC San Diego UC Santa Barbara UC Santa Cruz University of Denver University of Redlands University of Richmond University of San Francisco University of Southern California University of St. Andrews University of Texas Arlington University of the Pacific University of Washington Washington University in St. Louis Wesleyan University Whitman College Willamette University Woodbury University Yale University
un∙ de∙ ni∙ a∙ ble.
Say “Yes!” to Breakthrough!
www.breakthroughsv.org/donate
1635 Park Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126 (408) 287-6357 www.breakthroughsv.org