Anderson was nine when he came to San Francisco from Guatemala. Learning English was just one of the challenges he faced. Attending Breakthrough, however, eased his transition, dramatically increasing his academic skills. The program also encouraged him to think differently about the future; his goal now is to earn a college scholarship. “After Breakthrough everything started going well,” Anderson says. “I want to go to college because no one in my family has gone. I’ll be the first one.”

Students like Anderson are direct beneficiaries of AT&T’s corporate philanthropy. The telecommunications company recently invested $50,000 in Breakthrough’s two San Francisco locations, at San Francisco Day School and University High School. A key supporter of Breakthrough since 2009, AT&T has for years ranked at or near the top of the San Francisco Business Times’ Bay Area corporate philanthropy list. On a national level, the company has committed $100 million over four years toward the educational attainment of America’s youth through its “Aspire” initiative, one of the largest corporate commitments of its kind, as it seeks to create a prepared workforce for tomorrow’s “possibility economy.”

These philanthropic dollars translate into additional learning opportunities. At Breakthrough, students receive four hours of intensive academic instruction daily throughout the summer, coupled with enrichment classes and personalized tutoring during the school year. Breakthrough students regularly make a full school year’s worth of academic progress in literacy, and six months of progress in math, over the course of the six-week summer program. In addition, college visits, outdoor education trips, and other special opportunities help students set their sights higher than ever.

AT&T is also investing in tomorrow’s leaders in an even more direct fashion. For the past two summers, the company has hosted Breakthrough students at its offices in downtown San Francisco. Students tour the workplace; eat lunch with senior executives; and hear from various employees about their jobs and the kinds of education needed to get there.

“At AT&T, we are committed to supporting education, and proud of our partnership with Breakthrough,” said Ken McNeely, President of AT&T California. “The program has such an incredible impact on students’ lives, today and long into their futures.  And, it’s not just youth who benefit from Breakthrough. The energy and insight that the students bring to our offices when they visit are always a highlight for me and my staff!”

Breakthrough salutes AT&T for its investment in young people, both in San Francisco and nationally.