“A mentoring and scholarship program supporting students from low-income families in Ringsend, Irishtown and Pearse Street to progress to 3rd level”
The Breakthrough Project believes that all students deserve the opportunity to reach their full educational potential. We are creating partnerships with local businesses and industry leaders to build brighter futures for our students and transform our community.
By investing in individuals, we can create a ripple effect, with students raising the expectations of their peers and building a community of belief.
Background
The Breakthrough Project is an after-school mentoring and scholarship program supporting students from low-income families in Ringsend, Irishtown and Pearse Street to access and progress to 3rd level.
Students working in a DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) environment experience significant barriers in their progression. Although progress has been made in helping our students avoid the pitfalls of drugs and crime, many will still find their post-secondary educational options very limited. This is mainly due to disengagement from their education during senior cycle due to a lack of role models with experience of 3rd level education and professional employment. In order for these students to reach their full potential and one day have the opportunity to work in the organisations surrounding their school and homes, we need to give them access to a more diverse network of support.
The majority of school-based support in lower socio-economic areas is aimed at assisting students with additional learning needs as opposed to helping higher performing students achieve their full potential. The Breakthrough Project will provide personal, academic and financial supports for these students in an after-school setting to help them succeed in senior cycle with a continuation of the support as they progress to 3rd level education.
Following the successful implementation of the project in Ringsend College, there is scope in the future for a national roll-out in schools across the country to enable marginalised students to break the barriers to 3rd level education and enter professional employment.
Project Design
The key component is providing the student with a number of positive influences that will support and inspire them towards academic and professional success. Each student will have an academic mentor and will have access to professional mentors and internship opportunities in local businesses in addition to financial support to pursue their studies.
Interested students will apply for a place on the programme during the final term of Transition Year. 5 places will be available each year. Students will be required to meet a set of pre-determined standards such as school attendance and minimum grades in order to maintain their scholarship.
The programme will engage students weekly through mentoring sessions, workshops and activities designed to promote a culture of high expectations and support students in their academic attainment and progression.
Partnering with The Breakthrough Project
The practical and financial support of businesses in the community will provide the foundation for the success of the project. There are a number of ways in which local companies can support The Breakthrough Project:
Meaningful work experience: Opportunities for students to see, and be inspired by professionals at work. Many of our students do not have significant relationships with people that are in professional employment and therefore lack inspiration or understanding of what that could mean for them.
Inspirational relationships: Partners can team a student with a professional working in an area they are passionate about, giving them the opportunity to see their potential career in practice.
Activity delivery: Partners can participate in a range of once-off activities such as workshops, mock interviews, community outreach and career fairs.
Financial Support: The Breakthrough Project is looking for a range of corporate partners, each of whom will make a 3 year commitment of €5,000 per annum (Total: €15,000). This will ensure the first cohort of students will be supported into their 3rd level pursuits and give them the life-changing opportunity of achieving their academic and professional potential.
A Conduit of Change
The Breakthrough Project believes that many local organisations can lead change in the community on an individual level. Investing in an individual not only changes the student’s life, it raises the expectations of their peers and builds a community of belief. As you further partner with us and your local community, relationships and trust will be developed, inspiring the next generation to achieve all they can.
We would be delighted to partner with you over these next few years as we support students through their education. We would be happy to answer any questions or discuss any aspect of this further.
Please do not hesitate to contact jonathan@thebreakthroughproject.ie for further information.