Join Our Back-to-School Challenge: Every Gift Doubled!


Dear Reader,

This September, you can double your impact for first-generation students. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, all contributions up to $2,000 will be matched dollar for dollar throughout the month in honor of Back-to-School season.

Your support fuels not only national programming but also our growing local Impact Hubs that are transforming student outcomes.


New Partnership: Cristo Rey Miami

This fall, we are proud to announce a new partnership with Cristo Rey Miami, where we’ll provide first-generation high school students with long-term college counseling and mentorship. We are thrilled to be able to support half the junior class with personalized 1:1 advising and guidance for the next 6 years of their life. This collaboration ensures students in South Florida gain the guidance and access they need to thrive in higher education.


Deepening Roots: Trenton, NJ

In Trenton, our Impact Hub is expanding through strengthened partnerships with UrbanPromise Trenton and HomeWorks Trenton. We’re proud to share that every single senior we have worked with at HomeWorks Trenton has already been accepted to at least one college this year—a milestone that reflects our shared commitment to access and success. This continues our 100% college acceptance rate for Barrier Breakers® students. Beyond admissions, we are also helping students secure opportunities through competitive fly-in programs and scholarships, ensuring they step into higher education with confidence and support.


Summer Spotlight: Break Into Law Conference

In June, we hosted our fourth annual Break Into Law Conference, drawing over 2,300 registrants—our largest ever and a testament to its growing influence. With 91% of registrants identifying as first-generation lawyers, the three-day event offered panels, workshops, and networking designed to demystify legal pathways and connect aspiring professionals with attorneys, law students, and educators. Voices from across criminal, civil, corporate, public interest, and other branches of law gave participants both insight and inspiration. The success of this year’s conference underscores the demand for inclusive legal education and the impact Barrier Breakers® continues to make in bridging the gap between ambition and access.

But don’t take our word for it—hear directly from attendees in the testimonials below.

video preview


Break into College 2026!

We’re already hard at work on our next big venture—and we want YOU to be the first to know! 🚀

Barrier Breakers® is proud to announce a groundbreaking expansion in 2026: we’re reimagining the college conference experience to serve high school students, families, and educators navigating the admissions journey.

This free event—expected to welcome 3,000+ attendees—will be a hub for guidance, connection, and empowerment. With workshops, expert panels, and curated resources covering everything from SAT prep to financial aid, engineering pathways to application essays, the conference will equip participants with the tools and knowledge to access higher education with confidence. Alongside the event, Barrier Breakers will roll out a suite of support services designed to make the journey to college clearer and more accessible for all.

🌟 Sponsorship Opportunities
We’re inviting corporations and companies of all kinds to be part of this transformative effort:

  • Education-focused organizations can showcase their services directly to students and families.
  • Companies wishing to give in-kind donations (like dorm essentials or school supplies) can ensure students feel supported as they prepare for campus life.
  • Philanthropic partners can make a powerful impact by helping us keep the event free and accessible for every student.

This is your chance to stand alongside us in creating equitable pathways to higher education—and to help us make college dreams possible for thousands of first-generation students.

Stay tuned: college access is about to get a major boost.


Your Support Makes This Possible

As the school year begins, you can make sure more students have access to the guidance, mentorship, and opportunities they deserve. And this month, your gift goes twice as far. If you’d like to continue helping us expand our reach and support more students in person, consider a donation to Barrier Breakers today to help fund further expansions. Together, we’re transforming lives and creating opportunities nationwide, one connection at a time.

600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2246
Unsubscribe · Preferences

Barrier Breakers, Inc.

Barrier Breakers®, Inc. has supported 7,000+ students on the college and law school application journey. In addition to sliding scale services based on income, we partner with non-profit organizations and institutions to provide service pro bono services to high-need students. Learn more about our work and how you can continue to support access to higher education for everyone!

Read more from Barrier Breakers, Inc.

Dear Reader, As we enter the final few hours of 2025, I wanted to share a brief update — and a story that shows what your support makes possible. Thanks to this community, we are nearly 85% of the way to our end-of-year giving goal. We are so close to the finish line — and with your help, we can close the remaining gap and start the new year strong for the students who are counting on us. Make a Gift Today I want you to meet Hannah, a Barrier Breakers Scholar. Hannah is a first-generation...

Dear Reader, As we head into the final eight days of the year, I wanted to pause and share where we are — and where we’re going. Thanks to supporters like you, Barrier Breakers is already 55% of the way to our year-end fundraising goal. That momentum has made stories like Annelly’s possible — and with your help, it can make many more possible before December 31. 🎥 Watch Annelly share her story here: Annelly came to Barrier Breakers with a deep commitment to justice and a clear vision for her...

Dear Reader, As we continue our Giving Tuesday campaign, I want to share a story that captures the real impact of your generosity and the difference it makes for first-generation students navigating the college process without a roadmap. Meet Adrian, a senior from a military family whose father and brother have served in the U.S. Army. Growing up in an Army town where friends came and went every few years, Adrian learned early what it means to adapt, persevere, and lead with strength and...