Chau Ngo

As a Breakthrough Manchester Student and Teaching Fellow alumna, Chau Ngo has experienced both sides of Breakthrough’s dual mission and knows the importance of the Breakthrough community for our students. As the current Program Director, Chau has worked tirelessly to support our students and families this past year when they have needed it most. Manchester is the hardest hit city in New Hampshire for COVID, and our families represent the most vulnerable population. They come from families disadvantaged at good times, and with the onset of COVID, are being impacted even more. Last spring, Breakthrough advisors and staff checked in regularly with our students to offer academic, social, and emotional support and keep them on their path to college. Chau spearheaded the transformation of Breakthrough’s six week summer program to a virtual platform and personally delivered school supplies and laptops to our 104 students to kick off the summer. She continues to be quick to pivot to meet our students’ needs ;Breakthrough has helped counter our families’ food insecurity with gift cards for groceries and pizza; provided laptops, internet, and tech support for those who need it; as well as extra support and tutoring to empower our students as they navigate their remote education. As we all begin to heal from the pandemic, Breakthrough will be there for our students to share the joy of building community in person once again – and inevitably Chau Ngo will work tirelessly over the summer to ensure that happens!

Student testimonials from Summer 2020: – ‘All online schools should really be like this – Breakthrough has hands down the best program!’ – ‘Thank you Breakthrough for being synchronous this summer! My school was not, but during the summer Breakthrough was live for me everyday!’ – ‘I learned there are always people at Breakthrough, even when it is online, that will always be by my side.’ – ‘What went well was that all the classes were fun! We did fun stuff and I like that! It takes my mind off some things I worry about all day every day.’ – ‘Breakthrough is like the night sky, there are so many shining stars in it’ Chauís efforts have insured that the Breakthrough spirit has not been broken! Recognizing that our students are yearning for in person programming, Breakthrough will be offering a hybrid summer. Chau is leading the planning committee that has nicknamed summer of 2021 our Summer of Impact. Chau is working to create a network of community partnerships and is active in her local community including: New Leaders Council (Alumna 2020), Equity Leaders Fellowship (class of 2020-2021) , Manchester Community Action Coalition (member), and Manchester Arts Commission (Commissioner).