It’s always a pleasure connecting with our Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia alumni, and speaking with was no exception. She joined Breakthrough as a scholar in the summer before her 6th grade in 2009 and continued throughout high school. Breakthrough even helped Lt. Jordan get accepted and attend Penn State before continuing her education through the Salvation Army. Her current work now includes leading children’s programming in Pottstown, PA, running food pantries and soup kitchens, teaching music lessons, organizing, leadership, and project management - among other responsibilities!
She credits Breakthrough with academic preparation, learning life skills, and, above all, a supportive community of peers. “I didn’t realize how much the camaraderie would impact me…[the Teaching Fellows] were so dedicated to helping us learn.” Not only did Teaching Fellows bring the insights of their college majors into the classroom, they helped Brielle and her fellow scholars learn “how to be people.” And that support didn’t end in high school - from the care packages each scholar received their freshman year of college to Brielle's Breakthrough friendships that continue today. We celebrate her next steps in Pennsylvania, and future service from Northeast Kentucky to Maine and Puerto Rico!