Breakthrough NY Raises Nearly $800,000 at Annual Gala

Breakthrough New York raised nearly $780,000 at its fourth annual Gala on Tuesday, April 19, as it honored three inspiring leaders: Grand Slam Winner and ESPN Analyst Chris Evert, Credit Suisse Managing Director Maria Chiodi, and Edgehill Endowment Partners Co-Founder and Managing Partner D. Ellen Shuman.

Four hundred people attended the Gala, held at 583 Park Avenue at 63rd Street in Manhattan. The event was chaired by Maria Hackley, Bonnie Litt, Alisa Mall, Nina Saslove and David Sherman. A special recognition was made for Liz Sherman in celebration of her years of dedication and leadership as Breakthrough New York's Board Chair.

"No kid is ever going to feel alone because we have the collective power of the Breakthrough family and everyone in this room to cheer them on," said Rhea Wong, who marked her 10th year as Executive Director of Breakthrough New York. "We are the change. We are creating the ripples of impact throughout the lives of our kids. We are Breakthrough strong."

Gala attendees also were pitted against students in an engaging trivia competition, Are You Smarter Than a Breakthrough New York Student?, and was won by BTNY 8th grader Ellis Wu.

Breakthrough New York celebrated the work of three individuals who have shown a commitment and enthusiasm to support student success.

Chris Evert, winner of 18 Grand Slam tennis titles and ESPN Analyst, is one of the most extraordinary athletes of our time. She set an astonishing number of records during her career, including a .904 winning percentage, the highest in tennis history. She is credited with helping to build women's professional tennis, and since her retirement, has shown an outstanding commitment to social causes, primarily in service of children.

At the event, Ms. Evert was interviewed onstage by two Breakthrough students about her career, and offered advice on how to succeed on and off the court. To the audience, she said, "Everybody needs to give back & this is the best way: to give back to kids."

The evening's other honorees were Maria Chiodi, Managing Director, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, and D. Ellen Shuman, Co-founder and Managing Partner, Edgehill Endowment Partners.

Ms. Choidi has a story that resonates with our students. She is a first-generation American, and was the first in her family to graduate from high school, attend college and later earn a law degree. She believes in the power of education to change lives and her professional achievements are a testament to that.

Ms. Shuman has spent her entire career working with non-profit institutions. Her remarkable investment strategies have been an asset to colleges, foundations and other mission-based organizations that benefit society as a whole and create opportunities for countless individuals.

Breakthrough New York transforms the lives of talented kids from low-income backgrounds by providing educational support from middle school through college into careers and inspires talented young people to enter careers in education through our students-teaching-students model. The nonprofit's goal is to create leaders who break the cycle of poverty in their families and affect positive change in their communities. Learn more at www.btny.org.

Photo Credit: Andrew Kist