Academic Coordinators for Breakthrough's Nettie Bailey Student Achievement Program, Andrea Jensen and Seth El-Jamal.

Andrea Jensen

What makes you passionate and hopeful about the Youth & Family Services Program?

Andrea: I know the kids have a lot of potential and lots to offer their community, the city of Chicago, and the whole world, really. It is exciting for me to be a part of their lives and to help them see that potential.

Seth: It is clear to me that God is behind the positive advancements in this organization. Each year we are able to provide a more focused system of care for the youth in the neighborhood. I am also hopeful and faithful because my success is the direct result of God using a community of people to help me get through a very difficult, very dangerous childhood. I owe my successes in life to many people who did for me what Breakthrough is doing for the youth in this community. I should be a statistic; another gang member, another jobless black male, but I'm not. I am a leader because people stepped out of their comfort zone to guide and help me through life.

Explain the importance of having youth from the neighborhood succeed.

Andrea:  We want our own loved ones to succeed and live fulfilling lives.  As Christians, we are called to love everyone in such a way that we should want those same things for them. These kids often aren't afforded the breaks that many of us have had. We've been privileged enough to have connections most of our lives. Those who support Breakthrough have an important role and huge opportunity...they can provide the kind of opportunities that will help youth become lawyers, business owners or teachers.

Seth:  The young people in these so called "lower class" neighborhoods will either be the next voters, taxpayers, scholars and presidents or they will become something very negative in our society. Why not give them the best chance for success?