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BTM-YoungCodersInitiative-website-banner-Dec 2025

by Content Team | Dec 11, 2025 |

BTM Young Coder’s Initiative – Bridging the Tech Gap

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Young Coders Initiative and Breakthrough Miami
The Power of First Gen Dreams
Race to Breakthrough 2025- Wrap Up
Race to Breakthrough – Karlee Malloy
Career Day – Summer 2025
Entrepreneurial Outreach by Evan Gitlin
A Story of Remembrance and Rising Together
Growing New Breakthroughs With Belen
Helios Education Foundation Grant
Genesis Inspiration Foundation

Happy #Kwanzaa, Breakthrough Miami Village! Today

Happy #Kwanzaa, Breakthrough Miami Village! Today kicks off a week-long cultural holiday honoring African heritage, unity, and the shared values that strengthen communities

Kwanzaa invites families, neighborhoods, and communities to reflect on principles that uplift, empower, and inspire collective growth. Each of the seven days centers on one of the Nguzo Saba, the Seven Principles:

🤝 Umoja (Unity): Striving for togetherness in family, community, and nation.
🗣️ Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): Defining ourselves, naming ourselves, and speaking for ourselves.
👥 Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility): Building and sustaining our communities together.
💙 Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): Supporting and investing in one another.
✨ Nia (Purpose): Committing to uplifting and building for future generations.
🏘️ Kuumba (Creativity): Leaving our communities more beautiful and beneficial than we found them.
🌍 Imani (Faith): Believing deeply in ourselves, our people, and our future.

At Breakthrough Miami, these same principles reflect the very core of our Village. As our Scholars grow as leaders and changemakers, they embody the spirit shared by Kwanzaa through community-building, service, collaboration, and creativity.

To all who celebrate, we wish you a joyful, meaningful, and empowering Kwanzaa. May this season inspire reflection, connection, and a renewed commitment to community. ❤️🖤💚

#HappyKwanzaa #BreakthroughMiami

Breakthroughs wrapped with a bow! 🎁 We're grate

Breakthroughs wrapped with a bow! 🎁 We're grateful for our enduring partnership with the @MiamiDolphins who are helping bring joy and CHEER to those who need it most this holiday season 🎅🧸

A "breakalicious" shoutout to the Miami Dolphins - Football UNITES for hosting Breakthrough Miami Scholars Brandon Pierre, Madison Pierre, and Imani Saunders at this year's Holiday Toy Event presented by @TheMorganLawGroup! 🎁

As part of the Miami Dolphins' mission to give back, families from across #FootballUNITES organizations were hosted at this annual toy event, helping bring holiday cheer and surprises to all. 🎄

Breakthrough Miami is proud to be a Football UNITES Community Partner and salutes the work Football UNITES leads, connecting the intersections of our community to create a more united, educated and healthier South Florida.

@wsvn @hardrockstadium @garfinkeltom @millerkm @inspirechange #FinsOffTheField #InspireChange

Breakthroughs & Bridges is agency in ACTION 💡

Breakthroughs & Bridges is agency in ACTION 💡

Powered by the @MiamiDolphins Foundation, our BreakthroughU Scholars stepped up as Miami’s next wave of changemakers at this year's Breakthroughs & Bridges, tackling the real issues shaping our city and discovering how removing barriers and building bridges creates stronger communities for all.

In collaborative sessions, facilitated by our partners at @Mosaic_Miami, our BreakthroughU Scholars explored seven critical impact areas guided by local champions:

⚙️ Tech Equity - AJ D’Amico, Director for Info and Technology, James L. Knight Foundation @knightfdn
🌿 Environment - Cheyenne Kippenberger, CEO, CK Tribal Consultant / Seminole Tribe
🗳️ Voting Access - Maydee Martinez, Director of Miami Initiatives, @HispanicUnity of Florida
📚 Education - Justin De Leon, VP of Education, Partnership for Miami
🚊 Transportation - Eulois Cleckley, CEO, @TheUnderlineMia
🏠 Affordable Housing - Govind Srivastav, Director of Capital Solutions, @MiamiHomes4All
🤝 Human Support Services - Alexander Paz, VP of Education and Workforce Development, @ChapmanPartnership

From discussing how to expand transportation access to mapping out what fair housing could look like for Miami families, our Scholars designed real solutions and left with action plans, bold ideas, and a deeper understanding of what leadership looks like in the community real time.

A very special thanks to our facilitators Matthew Anderson and Justin Pinn from Mosaic Miami, and to our illustrious panel of community champions for their generous time and purposeful engagement.

@jason_l_jenkins @nfl @r_hamilton24 #MiamiDolphins #FinsOffTheField #FinsUp

We're STEPping into 2026 together and ready to sho

We're STEPping into 2026 together and ready to show off our "breakalicious" SPIRIT! 🏁🎉

Our annual STEPS 5K Fun Run through Coral Gables with the @STEPSMia community is BACK on Saturday, January 31st!

Walk, run, and jog with us as we make our way toward Breakthroughs, impact, and OPPORTUNITY! 💡

Register your spot at: breakthrough.miami/steps (Link in bio). ⬅️ 🔗

#NonProfit #BreakthroughMiami

Brunchin' for Breakthroughs is back in 2026 with a

Brunchin' for Breakthroughs is back in 2026 with a TWIST! 🥂

Education, entrepreneurship, and community come together in this student-powered event for a memorable morning. Set in the Paseo's beautiful open-air space at the @THesisHotelMiami, guests will enjoy:
🍽️ A curated brunch by the hotel's award-winning culinary team and students
🎶 Live musical performances
💙 Meaningful connections with fellow supporters and changemakers

‼️NEW in 2026: The Young Entrepreneurs Market! In 2026, the Young Entrepreneurs Market will debut; A place where Breakthrough Scholars can launch and sell their own business ventures. The Market will offer guests a front-row seat to the creativity, confidence, and entrepreneurial spirit of Miami's next generation of innovators.

Limited tickets available. Get started using the link in bio. 🔗

@mameymiami @curiocollection @hilton #coralgables #nonprofit

Shoutout to Breakthrough Miami Scholar and 6th-gra

Shoutout to Breakthrough Miami Scholar and 6th-grade student at Doral Academy, Oliver Del Olmo! 🍎

Oliver is a pleasure to have at our @BelenJesuit host site. He is always kind and helpful to his fellow Scholars, consistently showing genuine kindness and heart through his actions. He set a great example as a leader and Scholar both inside and outside of our Village. He's always engaged in our programming activities and actively loves to learn new things. Through his hard work and determination, Oliver earned straight A's during the first quarter at @doralacademypreparatory, and has perfect Super Saturday attendance. He's an all-around standout Scholar!

Aside from academics, Oliver loves to spend his time building @Lego and playing soccer; His favorite player is LeoMessi!

Although currently only in 6th-grade, Oliver is sure he wants to attend @MIT to pursue his love for technology and engineering. 💻

Breakthroughs are in your future, Oliver! 👏

#nonprofit #breakthroughmiami #scholarspotlight @dannyespinod5 @commishjcbermudez

Our DREAM TEAM is out in the community expanding o

Our DREAM TEAM is out in the community expanding our Village! 👥💡

Continuing our 2025 recruiting season, our Breakthrough Miami Dream Team is BACK in ACTION, actively visiting schools across our South Florida community for "Back to School nights!" Our recruiting season has recently led us to:

🏫 Miami Gardens Elementary (@miami_gardens_es)
🍎 @OlindaElementary
✏️ @FloridaCityEs
📓 @DowntownMiamiCharter
🎒 @CoralReefMontessoriAcademy
📚 Maya Angelou Elementary (@maya_poets)

Application parties are one of the many ways we can support students and families to learn more about our mission while helping them get a head start on the application process. One school at a time, we are advancing the collective impact of our partnerships and spreading Breakthroughs.💡

Interested in hosting our team at YOUR school? DM us! ✉️ Parents, the Early Admission Deadline to become a Scholar is January 15, 2026! Get started using the link in bio. 🔗

#NonProfit #Education #WhereInTheCommunity

Shoutout to Breakthrough Miami Volunteer CHANGEMAK

Shoutout to Breakthrough Miami Volunteer CHANGEMAKER, Daniel Mato! ✏️

Daniel is a stellar and standout CHANGEMAKER at our @BelenJesuit host site. Committed to his role as a Volunteer, Daniel has never missed a Super Saturday, proving his devotion to our Village as one of our 5th-grade lead Changemakers. Aside from helping lead our 5th-grade strand, Daniel also assists in leading our basketball electives and is one of our top Homework Help Saturday tutors. Daniel's calm demeanor and easy-going nature make him a Scholar favorite.

Outside of Breakthrough, Daniel remains heavily involved in his community as a member of his school's Key Club, @VIP305Miami, Pickleball Club, the National English Honors Society, the Today Club, and the National Honors Society.

Upon his 2027 graduation, Daniel is considering applying to @UFlorida, @FloridaStateUniversity, @UOfMichigan, @VanderbiltU, @NotreDame, and @UnivMiami. He's exploring career paths, but is ultimately looking to make a difference and impact in the world.

Keep up the Breakthroughs, Daniel! 👏

@Volunteerflorida #Volunteer #VolunteerOfTheMonth @UFAdmissions @fsu.admissions @umichadmissions @vanderbiltadmissions @ndadmissions @umadmission

2 minutes till lunch, not ✌️🤪 Find your pe

2 minutes till lunch, not ✌️🤪

Find your perfect fit in our Village by visiting: breakthroughmiami.org/get-involved 🔗⬅️

#reels #reel #genz

#ICYMI, here's how our #LeadingWithGratitude week

#ICYMI, here's how our #LeadingWithGratitude week went: 💡

We're grateful to our Breakthrough Miami Village for being a constant source of light, strength, and possibility. Thank you for helping us power potential into Breakthroughs and ambition into opportunity. Our gratitude is endless.

Missed it? Check our past posts for the full stories. 💙

@thechildrenstrust @americorps @volunteerflorida @kindrfoundation @miamifoundation @yci.official @btmalumni @carrolltonsacredheart @saintandrewsschool @belenjesuit @gulliverprep_ @Univmiami @ransomevergladesschool @palmertrinity @miami_country_day_school @breakthroughcollaborative @mdcps @browardschoolsofficial @pbcsd #reels

Help us welcome Roger Irwin, Director, Breakthroug

Help us welcome Roger Irwin, Director, Breakthrough U - High School Programs, to our Breakthrough Miami Dream Team! 🙌

Before transitioning into this role, Roger served as a Breakthrough U Summer Institute Resiliency Coach and continued supporting our Scholars this school year as a Success Coach. In both roles, Roger's goal has been to help our Scholars strengthen their confidence, focus, and sense of purpose. Throughout these positions, Roger has remained passionate about creating educational opportunities and making well-being a core element of education.

Roger holds a Bachelor of Science in Media, Culture, and Communication from @NYUniversity and a Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the @UOfPenn. He is a founding team member of @Seeing.Happy, a nonprofit that uses photography to promote mindfulness and resilience, where he continues to lead creative projects that connect the arts and positive psychology.

Roger is inspired by our Breakthrough Miami Village and is excited to collaborate with our team in new ways to help Scholars FLOURISH.

Help us welcome Roger to our team in the comments below! ⬇️

#nonprofit #breakthroughmiami #welcome

Shoutout to Breakthrough Miami Scholar and 5th-gra

Shoutout to Breakthrough Miami Scholar and 5th-grade student at @MargateElementary School, Maila Bowden! 🍎

Maila was selected as our @SaintAndrewsSchool Scholar of the Month due to her exceptional intellectual curiosity, strong commitment to academic excellence, and clear capacity for original, high-impact work. Maila regularly arrives ready to add fresh ideas to any conversation and is eager to learn what our changemakers have in store for the day. Aside from her natural curiosity, Maila leads with a kind heart, always willing to lend a helping hand to her fellow Scholars who might be having a difficult time.

Outside of her responsibilities as a Scholar and student, Maila loves to sing, draw, dance, organize, and craft.

When she graduates in 2033, Maila dreams of attending @FloridaAtlantic University to pursue her dream of becoming a renowned artist. 🎨

Keep up the "breakalicious" work, Maila! 👏

#LearningInParadise #breakthroughmiami #scholarspotlight @fauadmissions

Now Hiring: Manager of Corporate Giving 💡💼

Now Hiring: Manager of Corporate Giving 💡💼

Are you a go-getter who thrives on building powerful partnerships that drive real impact? Breakthrough Miami is looking for a Manager of Corporate Giving ready to lead with passion, strategy, and purpose.

As a key player on our Development team, you’ll cultivate and grow a dynamic corporate portfolio, all fueling Breakthrough Miami's mission to advance educational opportunity across South Florida.

In this position, you’ll have the opportunity to work with leading partners like @Dior, @iFlyMia, @LifeAtPWC, and open doors to many more, developing innovative partnerships that align corporate goals with community impact.

We’re seeking someone who:
✨ Excels at relationship-building
💪 Takes initiative and thrives in a fast-paced, results-driven environment
🎯 Can balance quick-turn wins with cultivating long-term, high-value partnerships
🌱 Can achieve $500K in year 1 and build towards $1M+ in the coming years

If you’re ready to make bold moves, open doors, and drive meaningful change for South Florida's future leaders, this role is meant for you.

Apply today at breakthrough.miami/careers (Link in bio). 🔗

#nonprofit #hiring #miamijobs

Shoutout to Breakthrough Miami Volunteer CHANGEMAK

Shoutout to Breakthrough Miami Volunteer CHANGEMAKER, Kai-Lani Daphnis! ✏️

Kai-Lani is the definition of a CHANGEMAKER. Her presence at our @RansomEvergladesSchool host site makes a noticeable difference for our Scholars, Changemakers, and staff alike. In her elevated role as one of our Changemaker Leads, Kai-Lani is receptive during meetings and trainings, and has proudly demonstrated her skills on Super Saturdays.

Kai-Lani played a crucial role in making our 7th-grade strand of STEM so impactful for Scholars this year, and is never afraid to go the extra mile for her peers and admins. Just this month, Kai-Lani has also helped lead our All Staff Meeting and Morning Mo for other Changemakers, as well as helping us capture special moments for new, exciting Breakthrough content.

Extending her impact, Kai-Lani is currently an academic Co-Lead Changemaker for the 7th-grade strand of STEM, and is also is passionate about hosting neighborhood clean ups with family in order to help the community.

Kai-Lani's academic wish is to go to college and pursue a degree in psychology. Afterwards, she would like to pursue a law degree, and ultimately become a defense attorney and fight for justice. She also has future goals to be involved in her community and create nonprofits that can help give kids the best opportunities and education. Kai-Lani cites Breakthrough Miami as a major inspiration for this goal. We are excited to watch her continue to give back!

Keep up the Breakthroughs, Kai-Lani! 👏

@Volunteerflorida #Volunteer #VolunteerOfTheMonth

This season, we're celebrating the MAGIC that crea

This season, we're celebrating the MAGIC that creates BREAKTHROUGHS all year long. ✨

Our holiday Village SPARKLES with ambitious Scholars, committed Changemakers, dedicated Teaching Fellows, engaged Alumni, and an invested circle of Donors and Partners, all wrapped up in breakalicious SPIRIT.

Powered by passion, purpose, perseverance, and community, Breakthrough Miami continues to illuminate new pathways for young leaders to THRIVE.

As we celebrate this season of joy, gratitude, and connection, we hope your holidays are filled with the same wonder and excitement that define the Breakthrough experience every day.

It's not too late to make your end-of-year gift! Get started at: breakthrough.miami/donate 🔗

#breakthroughmiami #nonprofit #educators @Btmalumni

Happy Hannukah, Breakthrough Village! 🕎 We wis

Happy Hannukah, Breakthrough Village! 🕎

We wish our Village a warm and wonderful holiday, a blessed Hannukah, and many #Breakthroughs! 🕯️

#HappyHanukkah #BreakthroughMiami

As we wrap up #LeadingWithGratitude week, our hear

As we wrap up #LeadingWithGratitude week, our hearts are full and bursting with thanks. Every highlight, story, and shoutout over the past few days reflects how Breakthrough Miami is powered by an entire Village of changemakers, doers, and CHAMPIONS. 💙

To our Scholars, Teaching Fellows, Alumni, Success Coaches, Volunteer Changemakers, Staff, donors, host site schools, community partners, and families, YOU are the reason Breakthroughs happen. Your mentorship, advocacy, generosity, and belief in what’s possible helps create an environment where our Scholars can thrive, lead, and catch their DREAMS.

While Gratitude Week gives us a moment to shine an extra spotlight, our appreciation isn't limited to a weeklong campaign; It’s who we are throughout the year. Every achievement, milestone, and win is rooted in the year-round support and love our Village pours into our mission.

We're grateful to our Breakthrough Miami Village for being a constant source of light, strength, and possibility. Thank you for helping us power potential into Breakthroughs and ambition into opportunity. Our gratitude is endless.

#breakthroughmiami #nonprofit @thechildrenstrust @americorps @volunteerflorida

Boundless gratitude to our Breakthrough partners,

Boundless gratitude to our Breakthrough partners, @MiamiSchools, @browardschoolsofficial, @pbcsd, Host Site Schools, and fellow community-based orgs 🤝💙 #LeadingWithGratitude

Breakthrough Miami's impact is powered by a united community committed to leveling the playing field for brilliant, motivated youth across South Florida.

Today, we're extending deep gratitude to Miami-Dade County, Broward, and Palm Beach County Public Schools, our incredible host site school partners, and the many mission-aligned community-based organizations who walk alongside us year-round. Together, we open doors, expand access, and create the shared environments where Scholars can rise, lead, and thrive.

You champion our work through shared resources, community-building, expertise, mentorship, and learning experiences that make Breakthroughs possible and transform possibilities. You help us create learning spaces where leadership grows naturally, and where every Scholar, Volunteer Changemaker and Teaching Fellow feels supported by a Village that believes in them.

Your partnership amplifies opportunities and more pathways to college, careers, and more lives changed. We salute our partners who help us build bridges and shape the future every day.

#breakthroughmiami #nonprofit @carrolltonsacredheart @gulliverprep_ @palmertrinity @belenjesuit @univmiami @ransomevergladesschool @miami_country_day_school @saintandrewsschool @thechildrenstrust @americorps @volunteerflorida

This #LeadingWithGratitude week, we're saluting ou

This #LeadingWithGratitude week, we're saluting our Summer Site Staff 💡💙

We're incredibly grateful for the dedicated Summer Site Staff who bring Breakthrough Miami’s mission to life during a most important time of year; Summer Institute. Across our sites, our Summer Staff lead transformative coaching, professional development and programming designed to accelerate learning, spark creativity, and strengthen leadership skills.

These are the leaders who ensure classrooms are joyful, safe, and filled with purpose. They coordinate enrichment activities, guide Teaching Fellows, coordinate Changemakers, and make sure everyone has what they need to THRIVE. From managing daily operations and guiding campus culture, to championing student well-being and cheering on every success, their impact is woven into all eight weeks of unforgettable growth.

Your mentorship helps Scholars, Changemakers, Teaching Assistants and Teaching Fellows uncover strengths, your leadership amplifies futures, and your service fuels a movement of educational opportunity. Because of you, young people step into the school year more confident, more capable, and ready to lead as leaders in their communities.

Thank you for your unwavering belief in what young people can achieve. Our summers are stronger because of you and the Breakthroughs you make possible last long after summer programming ends. 💙

#breakthroughmiami @thechildrenstrust @americorps @volunteerflorida @carrolltonsacredheart @saintandrewsschool @belenjesuit @gulliverprep_ @Univmiami @ransomevergladesschool @palmertrinity @miami_country_day_school @breakthroughcollaborative @mdcps @browardschoolsofficial @pbcsd

We’re overflowing with gratitude for the @KINDRF

We’re overflowing with gratitude for the @KINDRFoundation 💙 #LeadingWithGratitude week

A “breakalicious” shoutout to the KINDR Foundation for powering impact and wellness across Breakthrough Miami. Thanks to their multi-year support, the KINDR Foundation has helped us strengthen the heart of our model, cultivating a culture of kindness and mindfulness that lifts our entire Village.

Aligned and supported by KINDR, our Scholars are:
🌱 Building social-emotional wellness and resilience
🧠 Practicing mindfulness + meditation to create kind habits
🤝 Leading with compassion, purpose, and community
💬 Spreading positivity through everyday actions
🏫 Learning in safe, joyful, and supportive spaces
💡 Understanding mindfulness to be a leadership skill

We extend our deepest gratitude to the KINDR Foundation. Together, we’re nurturing future leaders who will shape our world with boldness and humanity.

#breakthroughmiami #KindrCommunities @sylvieb7

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