Taking Steps for Change: the Creation of Race to Breakthrough
By Cecilia Oses, Breakthrough Miami Strategic Marketing Intern, 2025
In 2020, Karlee Malloy found herself restless in her home as the world grappled with the pandemic. Struggling to carve out routine and interaction during this time of isolation and uncertainty, Karlee leaned on her love of running. The freedom of setting your own goals and only competing with yourself created an outlet for her to go outside, let off steam, and stay centered.
Karlee participated in virtual fun-runs with her sister to raise money for various causes during quarantine, which gave Karlee the idea of creating a fundraising event for Breakthrough Miami. Although her time with Breakthrough before the pandemic had been brief, she was inspired by the strong relationships and level of growth that she had already witnessed.
Seeking ways to create connections through the pandemic and find shared purpose, Karlee envisioned a virtual fundraising race, inspired by the feeling of freedom she gained from running. The “QuaRUNtine” launched just a few weeks after. Fostering a global community rallying to support Breakthrough, the race encouraged participants to use their imagination when selecting and measuring their physical activity. In its first year, the race galvanized more than 300 participants and raised nearly $60,000.
As a sophomore in high school, Karlee did not anticipate having such an instrumental role in building a major fundraising event. Embodying Breakthrough Miami’s commitment to student-led programming and youth leadership, Karlee’s idea was embraced by the Breakthrough team.
“[Breakthrough has] really mastered making [young people] feel comfortable… When I would go on calls with [the Breakthrough team], they would guide me but also give me agency to have my own ideas. The way they do their teamwork is super successful, which made the process very smooth.”
With their teamwork, Karlee and the Breakthrough staff created what was to become the Race to Breakthrough, a beloved annual tradition and impactful fundraiser. This year will be the sixth Race to Breakthrough. Just last year, 824 people participated in the race. Since the inaugural year, participation has increased by 160%, and the number of participating teams has doubled. Over the last five years, a total of $686K has been raised.
Further inspired by her experience as a Teaching Fellow this summer, Karlee is more excited than ever to participate in Race to Breakthrough. Not only will she put more names to the faces participating around Miami, but she has also seen the real impact of Breakthrough firsthand. She describes seeing her Scholars slowly coming out of their shells each day. Whether it be drafting possible replacements for their “stolen magical chapter” or mixing up a new musical piece in her DJ elective, the Scholars take ownership over their learning, tap into their creativity, and make new Breakthroughs.
“As a Teaching Fellow now, my initiative to start the Race to Breakthrough has only strengthened because I see where all of our fundraising goes to directly and that has made me want to continue the race even more and get more participants this year!”
Karlee is only at the beginning of her journey as a change-maker. She hopes to become a teacher in the coming years and eventually work in rectifying inequalities in education. She credits Breakthrough for exposing her to the disparities in education, inspiring her to work at the state or federal level to ensure every child’s right to education is respected.
Karlee’s journey, from sparking a virtual race in high school to inspiring Scholars in the classroom as a Teaching Fellow, reflects the pulse of Breakthrough Miami: student leadership, creativity, and community impact. As she continues her studies and steps further into the world of education, she is further inspired by the relationships and sense of purpose she’s found at Breakthrough Miami, reminders that meaningful change often starts with a single spark.
