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Breakthrough Greater Boston raises $215K to support urban education for underserved

Breakthrough Greater Boston, the nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing under-resourced students to attend four-year colleges and to training the next generation of urban teachers, reports that it raised $215, 000 in its annual Springfest event on April 24th. 

According to a recent press release:

Springfest supports Breakthrough Greater Boston’s (BTGB) college access and teacher training programs, with this year’s event held at the Moakley Courthouse in Boston to celebrate the program’s site expansion to Dorchester. . Commencing this summer, the organization will bring its successful Students Teaching Students model to Boston, marking the first time BTGB will run multiple sites in the Greater Boston area. The program’s inauguration at TechBoston Academy in Dorchester will double the number of traditionally underserved middle and high school students and aspiring young teachers benefiting from its services.

Springfest represents a fantastic opportunity for the Cambridge and Boston communities to come together and support equal access to quality education,” said Executive Director of Breakthrough Greater Boston, Elissa Spelman. “Over the past 20 years, Breakthrough has proudly served the Cambridge community, helping students bridge the achievement gap. We are thrilled to now bring our services to the Boston community to guide twice as many students in achieving their dream of graduating from a four-year college.”

The event, attended by 300 participants, provided a fun and inspiring evening for the BTGB community to support the organization’s goals and to help fund the intensive out-of-school time academic and teacher training programming. Held in the landmark Moakley Courthouse in Boston, guests were treated to a reception with live music, student and teacher testimonials, and remarks from the organization. The event also featured a live auction and raffle with donated contributions from more than a dozen local businesses and individuals.

For more information on Breakthrough Greater Boston, please visit www.breakthroughgreaterboston.org

About Breakthrough Greater Boston
Breakthrough Greater Boston (BTGB) transforms urban education for students and teachers in Boston and Cambridge. Through six years of intensive, out of school time programming, Breakthrough changes students’ academic trajectories and supports them along the path to four-year college. Simultaneously, Breakthrough builds careers in education through an unparalleled teacher training program for college-aged students that features competitive national recruitment, research-based training, and daily coaching from master teachers. Breakthrough’s unique Students Teaching Students model inspires college students to become the next generation of urban educators and students to become college graduates. Visit http://breakthroughgreaterboston.org to learn more.

 

–ANita M. Harris

New Cambridge Observer is a publication of the Harris Communications Group, an award-winning public relations and digital marketing firm located in Kendall Square, Cambridge.






Cambridge Grade School Students to present funds & artwork to Japan Consulate 6-15-11

Cambridge, MA, June 9, 2011— Students at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School and Amigos School will donate disaster relief funds to the people of Japan in a special presentation to the Deputy Consulate General of Japan.  The event will take place in the King/Amigos school auditorium on June 15, 1:25-2:00pm.

Students and families at the two schools have been raising money and awareness since the earthquake and related disasters struck Japan on March 11. To express hope for the Japanese people, students have folded origami cranes and created Japanese-inspired artwork to present along with their monetary donations.

The two schools have a special connection to Asian cultures and peoples through their Mandarin Chinese language programs. Families at the two schools with friends and family in Japan have helped out with the effort, including connecting with the Japanese Consulate General to put the monetary donations to the best use to help the Japanese people.

King School Chinese Immersion Coordinator Vivian Tam explains, “Our schools’ global perspectives have brought many innovative learning opportunities to the students.  Through our school-wide Mandarin Chinese programs, students are immersed in the languages and cultures of Asian countries.  Students have raised funds for the Sichuan Earthquake disaster relief in 2009 and when the earthquake and nuclear exposure happened in Japan, our students decided to reach out.”

Contact:

Vivian Tam, Chinese Immersion Program Coordinator

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School www.cpsd.us/mlk

Tel: 617.599-7258, E-mail: vtam@cpsd.us,