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#30BreakthroughPhillyLOVE
HERE'S TO 30 YEARS
Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia is proud to celebrate 30 years serving students and families throughout the City. Over the past three decades, we have provided exceptional tuition-free academic enrichment programming to traditionally underserved students, training to develop future teachers, and pathways to success for all Breakthrough students. This milestone is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our Scholars, Teaching Fellows, families, partners, funders, staff, and board.
We believe the future is bright, and for our 30th anniversary, we renew our commitment to supporting Philadelphia's youth, future educators, schools, neighborhoods, and the city at large.
Thank you for being part of our story. Here's to the next 30 years!
STROLL DOWN MEMORY LANE
Thousands of Scholars, Fellows and families have called Breakthrough home over the past 30 years. Check out highlights in this slide show.
GET INVOLVED IN 2025!
Support and Celebrate The Future
From new Scholar and Teaching Fellow programs to volunteer and community events, join us and support Breakthrough as we celebrate our 30th Year!
Mark Your Calendars and Register For...
RECOGNIZING OUR COMMUNITY
Awards and Honorees
This year, we will honor Scholars, Fellows and other individuals and partners for their outstanding achievements and unwavering dedication to Breakthrough. We are pleased to announce the following honorees in our 30th Anniversary year!
Awards will be presented at our Spring Soirée on May 1st - RSVP HERE.
Karr Barth Equitable
Force for Good Award
Recognizes long-time supporters who help Breakthrough realize and accelerate its mission.
HONOREES
Nanie Flaherty | Susan Fleming
Breakthrough Award
Recognizes Teaching Fellow and Scholar Alumni who have dedicated their lives to educational pursuits, community impact, and/or teaching careers.
HONOREES
Community Champion Award
Recognizes leaders in Philadelphia who stand by Breakthrough and serve as champions to advance our mission in the community.
HONOREE
Alumni Spotlights
It's always a pleasure reconnecting with Breakthrough Alumni and celebrating the meaningful work and paths they have paved after Breakthrough. Read their stories here!
FEATURED SCHOLAR ALUMNI
FEATURED TEACHING FELLOW ALUMNI
OUR HISTORY
1995
The Philadelphia chapter of Breakthrough Collaborative (formerly known as Summerbridge) is launched by Julie Friedberg (GFS ‘89), Carolyn Friedman, Peggy Greenawalt, Cheryl Wade, and Dick Wade, former head of Germantown Friends School
Germantown Friends School, one of the region’s leading independent schools, is the home to the summer and year-round enrichment programs
1998 - 1999
The first class of 30 students enter high school after attending Breakthrough for three years
2000
Breakthrough opens a second site at Saint Joseph’s University, nearly doubling the number of middle school students served
2003
Teaching Fellow Residency is ranked as top ten internships for college students in the US by Princeton Review, along with the White House, the Supreme Court, and MTV
2011
Drexel University becomes an institutional sponsor, joining St. Joseph’s University and Germantown Friends School
2020
2013
Breakthrough adds a program to include classes and services for high-school students as an extension of their middle school experiences
Enters into a new partnership with Germantown Friends School.
GFS helps power Breakthrough's program with its passion for intellectual exploration, curriculum enhancements, experienced faculty to coach Teaching Fellows, facilities to house offices and program, and operations support
Continues to operate programs virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing an
essential support for Philadelphia students whose schools
were closed for two months
Returns to in-person learning
during the Fall semester
2022
Breakthrough increases Scholar enrollment by 56% for its Summer 2022 class (140 Scholars) and aims to serve more students in Philadelphia year after year!
2024
Breakthrough surpasses 200 Scholars and Teaching Fellows enrolled in the Summer program. College Bound program launches and welcomes 28 Breakthrough students to explore various careers, create resumes, practice interviews, pilot test prep, tour colleges, and learn about financial planning and postsecondary options.
