We’ve all been in assembly when Ms. Adams comes up to make the announcements about Saturday Breakthrough signups. We’ve all seen the emails asking for extra volunteers for Breakthrough Summer Academy. But have you ever wondered, “What actually is Breakthrough?”, “Why does it matter?”, and, more importantly, “Should I do it?” Many Newman students over the years have answered positively to that last question, including junior Saniya Jarrow, who volunteered at the Breakthrough Summer Academy in 2024:
What made you want to do Breakthrough?
It’s always been an important part of my life because I used to do it was I was younger. I also think it’s a great way to give back to the community. So I kind of wanted to put those two things together and give back to these kids what Breakthrough gave to me.
What is the daily schedule like?
So first thing in the morning, we’ll sometimes have a morning meeting with students and faculty. They have announcements but then sometimes there’s skits, which are really fun. Then we have 2 or 3 classes, followed by college, which is basically the Breakthrough version of advisory. Next, there’s 2 more classes, and then we have lunch. After lunch, we have BOSS, which stands for Blow Off Some Steam, and that gives the kids time to play, relax, and just be themselves. Then, you have an elective, and there’s so many options for those. I taught crocheting, but you can also do different types of art and other fun activities. At the end of the day, we meet in Henson again and then we all go home.
What was your favorite part of volunteering?
Personally, I really liked creating the events, but of course, I loved participating with the kids. I really enjoyed teaching them and being a mentor to them. I gave them lots of advice and helped prepare them for their future, which was a great experience.
What’s one lesson you learned from your experience?
The main takeaway I got from this summer was definitely getting better at teamwork with my coworkers. You kind of half to be open to others because Breakthrough is fundamentally about creating a community and collaborating with other people. Originally, it was a bit of a challenge for me because normally I’m more reserved, but I’m really happy it pushed me to really work with others because when you have to do it, you can build really meaningful relationships with those around you. All of that also taught me to converse more effectively to get the point across and helped me become more accountable.
What would you tell other Newman students who might be interested in volunteering with Breakthrough?
Of course, the whole mission of Breakthrough is making a change in the community. The kids you work with might not have access to a Newman education, so by becoming involved, you can give them something that’s as close to the real thing as possible while still being enjoyable and fun for them and you. If you want to make a change in their lives, you should absolutely join, even if you don’t know much about Breakthrough. It’s a very rewarding experience and I encourage everyone to volunteer.
