ProLedge, the leading bookkeeping services firm in Austin, TX and Breakthrough Austin, the award winning education nonprofit have launched a joint program to support low-income students to build a path to college.

Breakthrough is a nonprofit organization that helps low-income students become first generation college graduates. Each year Breakthrough admits a new class of 6th grade students from some of Austin’s lowest performing middle schools. Breakthrough’s six year program combines academic preparation, a college-going culture, family engagement and college preparation activities. More than 90% of Breakthrough students graduate from high school in 4 years and approximately 70% are enrolled in college.

As part of the alliance between ProLedge and Breakthrough, each time that a new client signs up for ProLedge’s services, ProLedge will fund the purchase of a backpack full of school supplies for one of Breakthrough’s students.

Patrick Bonnaure, ProLedge founder and CEO stated: “Being a professional services organization, deeply ingrained in the small business community in Austin, we strongly believe that Austin’s long term success will be stifled if we don’t give low-income kids the proper opportunity for a full education. Getting these kids into college is paramount. We love Breakthrough Austin’s mission and we are proud to be able to support them.”

Barry Aidman, Executive Director of Breakthrough Austin added “This year, the average US family will spend about $100 on school supplies, which is simply too much for the families of our students. Issues as mundane as a backpack, school supplies, a quiet place to study or transportation can take disproportionate proportions for our students and one of Breakthrough’s goal is to remove or lower these hurdles. ProLedge’s generous contributions will help address our students’ material needs and contribute to their confidence and self-esteem.”