Breakthrough Wins Grant For Academic Excellence 
Formalizes Partnership With Area School

Devon (pictured) and other neighborhood children are given access to computers to complete homework and improve reading skills.

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) recently designated Breakthrough Urban Ministries as a 21st Century Community Learning Center. Breakthrough is one of only 35 community organizations and schools to receive the grant award, which helps after-school programs improve student performance.

As a 21st Century Community Learning Center, Breakthrough will become formal partners with Jacob Beidler Elementary School located in East Garfield Park. As is the case with many area schools, Beidler students struggle to do well in school. Over 80% read below grade level, compared to 26% statewide.

The partnership will formalize a supportive relationship that already exists. Many students who participate in Breakthrough's Nettie Bailey Student Achievement Program attend Beidler. Ashley and Alisha Dorsey, are two such students. The 13 year-old twins were recognized by their school last year for being on the honor roll all year.

Twins, Ashley and Alisha, use the computer lab at Breakthrough. Both are honor roll students at Beidler Elementary.

Math is a strong subject for Ashley and Alisha, and they are both generally good students. Because of their hard work, encouragement from their mother and support from Breakthrough, they continue to grow in academic success. Breakthrough helps the girls focus on the areas where they struggle and gives them access to computers, learning software and learning opportunities that they would not otherwise have. This support is central to the 21st Century designation.
 
Beidler's current principal, Dr. Shirley Ewing, is excited about the formal partnership. "By working together as a 21st Century Community Learning Center, we expect students to achieve greater academic success." Principal Ewing has pledged to recruit students for this strategic academic opportunity.

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Academic Coordinators for Breakthrough's Nettie Bailey Student Achievement Program, Andrea Jensen and Seth El-Jamal.

Andrea Jensen and Seth El-Jamal are the Academic Coordinators for Breakthrough's Nettie Bailey Student Achievement Program. Andrea is the K-5th grade Coordinator. She graduated from Moody Bible Institute with a degree in Urban Ministry. Seth is the 6-12th grade Coordinator. He went to the University of Illinois on academic scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology.

What makes you passionate and hopeful about the Youth & Family Services Program?

Andrea: I know the kids have a lot of potential and lots to offer their community, the city of Chicago, and the whole world, really. It is exciting for me to be a part of their lives and to help them see that potential.

Seth: It is clear to me that God is behind the positive advancements in this organization. Each year we are able to provide a more focused system of care for the youth in the neighborhood. I am also hopeful and faithful because my success is the direct result of God using a community of people to help me get through a very difficult, very dangerous childhood. I owe my successes in life to many people who did for me what Breakthrough is doing for the youth in this community. I should be a statistic; another gang member, another jobless black male, but I'm not. I am a leader because people stepped out of their comfort zone to guide and help me through life.

Explain the importance of having youth from the neighborhood succeed.

Andrea:  We want our own loved ones to succeed and live fulfilling lives.  As Christians, we are called to love everyone in such a way that we should want those same things for them. These kids often aren't afforded the breaks that many of us have had. We've been privileged enough to have connections most of our lives. Those who support Breakthrough have an important role and huge opportunity...they can provide the kind of opportunities that will help youth become lawyers, business owners or teachers.

Seth:  The young people in these so called "lower class" neighborhoods will either be the next voters, taxpayers, scholars and presidents or they will become something very negative in our society. Why not give them the best chance for success?