Breakthrough Welcomes High School Program Coordinator

Karen Benitez has joined the FWCD community as the new High School Program Coordinator for Breakthrough Fort Worth. Her role encompasses implementing high school workshops/activities, planning and preparing for Breakthrough’s summer program, engaging with students and families on upcoming events, and overseeing Breakthrough’s social media accounts. Benitez is no stranger to Breakthrough: She previously served as both a Literature Teacher and Dean of Volunteers. She is pursuing her degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of Texas at Arlington.

A graduate of Breakthrough Fort Worth, Benitez’s journey mirrors that of other Breakthrough leaders who developed in the program, like Rudi Flores, Breakthrough Operations Director, and Jessica Manzano-Valdez, Breakthrough Programming Director. “Karen started as a Breakthrough seventh grade student, graduated from Trimble Tech, served as a Breakthrough Teaching Fellow and won the spirit stick two years in a row, and now is contributing to the program as a full-time administrative staff member thanks to a grant from AmeriCorps,” said Joe Breedlove, Executive Director of Breakthrough Fort Worth. 

“We are thrilled to be a participant in the AmeriCorps program,” Breedlove continued. “It not only broadens our ability to nurture young leaders, AmeriCorps has an incredible focus on service, which is a key part of our own focus in developing young people who choose to make a difference. We are a natural fit together as both Breakthrough and AmeriCorps seek to bring out the best in our young people for the communities we serve.”

For Breedlove, Benitez is proof of that and of the power of Breakthrough for its students and their families. “As the middle child of three unbelievable young women, Karen has helped carry the torch in making a difference in the lives of her family and other Breakthrough students. If you ask her sisters, they would call her the ‘glue’ of the family,” he said. “It will only be a short time before she becomes more involved in the FWCD community; she is that good.”

Benitez has hit the ground running, helping to organize one of Breakthrough’s largest High School Fairs. “Her energy, work ethic, and deep understanding of the program are key assets as Breakthrough continues to grow in depth and breadth,” Breedlove said. 

About Breakthrough
Hosted on the FWCD campus, Breakthrough Fort Worth fosters educational equity through an innovative, two-pronged approach. The program provides intensive academic enrichment and ongoing support to motivated, underserved students from public schools across Fort Worth, ensuring they are academically successful and on the path to college. Simultaneously, Breakthrough trains outstanding high school and college students from across the country to work as tomorrow’s teachers and urban educational leaders. Visit fwcd.org/breakthrough to learn more about the program. 

About AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

AmeriCorps offers opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to be a part of the national service community, grow personally and professionally, and receive benefits for their service. Learn how to get involved at AmeriCorps.gov/Serve.