Breakthrough

Aloe Blacc's NEW album “Stand Together” is officially released today! The full album was inspired by the Stand Together philanthropic community, where Breakthrough is proud to be a part of their Catalyst program. This new album pairs each track with a philanthropic cause, offering a unique and powerful way to connect music with meaningful impact. It's a celebration of how creativity can be a force for social change, bringing people together to tackle some of our country’s toughest challenges. We are honored to be part of this incredible album, featuring our song 'Breakthrough'—a tribute to our mission of transforming the lives of incarcerated individuals. This song reflects the belief that while people may make mistakes, no one is defined by their past. Some of the other amazing organizations featured are The Phoenix, Bonton Farms and Café Momentum - we hope you will also check out the amazing work they are doing to empower communities! Music has always had the power to shape culture. Aloe reminds us that everyone has a role to play in creating a better future and we’re honored to be a part of this cultural movement. Listen today: https://lnkd.in/dKqnQY4n #ABStandTogether #reentryprogram #reentrymatters

?? Breakthrough's 2024 Annual Report is here! We’re proud to share the incredible impact of our work in the past year—demonstrating that second chances aren’t just possible, they’re powerful. ?? Reduced recidivism: Graduates of our revamped curriculum 'The Challenge,' who fully utilize our care management and resource navigation services, have a 0% recidivism rate. ?? Significant taxpayer savings: For the reduction in recidivism Breakthrough has achieved - we have saved the state of Colorado over $41 million. By equipping individuals with the tools to succeed before and after release, we are breaking cycles of incarceration and transforming lives. ?? Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/gsMUYSEr Thank you to our partners, supporters, and community who make this work possible. Together, we’re proving that transformation is possible, and the impact is measurable. ??

?? We are so excited to announce that Breakthrough has a song on Aloe Blacc's upcoming album "Stand Together." ?? The album’s name was inspired by Stand Together, an organization dedicated to tackling America’s biggest challenges by empowering people. Breakthrough is a part of their Catalyst network, a community of principle-driven nonprofits leading meaningful social change. Each song on the new album is paired with a philanthropic cause or organization, showcasing Aloe’s deep commitment to using music as a force for good. Give the song a listen at the link below, and be sure to catch his performance of "Breakthrough" tomorrow on CBS Saturday morning! https://lnkd.in/g5gYR4_m

?? We are so excited to announce that Breakthrough has a song on Aloe Blacc's upcoming album "Stand Together." ?? The album’s name was inspired by Stand Together, an organization dedicated to tackling America’s biggest challenges by empowering people. Breakthrough is a part of their Catalyst network, a community of principle-driven nonprofits leading meaningful social change. Each song on the new album is paired with a philanthropic cause or organization, showcasing Aloe’s deep commitment to using music as a force for good. Give the song a listen at the link below, and be sure to catch his performance of "Breakthrough" tomorrow on CBS Saturday morning! https://lnkd.in/g5gYR4_m

?? Exciting News! Breakthrough is one of three finalists for Small Nonprofit of the Year with the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce! This recognition is a testament to the impact we create every day—helping individuals break systemic barriers, build brighter futures, and transform their lives. But we need YOUR support to make it happen! ?? Cast your vote for Breakthrough today! Your vote helps amplify our mission and show the power of second chances: https://lnkd.in/g8FBmYTh ?? Voting closes Friday, March 14th Together, we can continue changing lives and building a stronger community. Thank you for believing in Breakthrough!

One of the statistics we talk about most at?Breakthrough?is this: When a child has a parent in prison, they are 6 times more likely to become incarcerated themselves. That number weighs heavily on us—not just because of what it represents, but because the overwhelming majority of our participants are parents. When we walk alongside them in their transformation, we know we’re also impacting the next generation. Behind the scenes of my posts about our incredible participants are countless conversations about their children. On Tuesday, Terry told me he’s getting ready to be a grandfather. Kareem shared stories about his three grandkids. Last month, Mathias and I talked about how he’s trying to show up for his kids from prison. My people are parents, like me. And their kids deserve the best version of them. I’m honored when they trust me with their stories, when they let me hold their children at graduations (photo 1), and I’m even more proud of them for fighting every day to transform—not just for themselves, but for their children.

At Breakthrough, we honor Black History Month as a time to celebrate the rich contributions, resilience, and leadership of Black individuals throughout history and today. The systemic inequalities that disproportionately impact Black communities—especially within the criminal justice system—underscore the importance of this month not just as a reflection on the past, but as a call to action for the present and future. We recognize that Black history is not separate from American history; it is foundational to it. From the courage of leaders who fought for civil rights to the everyday acts of resilience within communities striving for equity, Black history offers lessons of strength, transformation, and hope. This month, we reaffirm our commitment to advocating for a more just and equitable society. We stand alongside those working to dismantle racial disparities in the justice system and beyond, ensuring that second chances are accessible to all, regardless of race. Through our mission, we aim to break cycles of incarceration and contribute to a future where everyone has the chance to thrive. Together, we can honor the past by transforming the present and building a better tomorrow. #blackhistorymonth

FROM BARS TO BREAKTHROUGHS & SECOND CHANCES! Today, I stood inside Colorado’s prison walls once again, working with another cohort of incarcerated men in the Breakthrough Challenge Program - helping most of them prepare for life beyond bars. As always, we were greeted with high-fives, music pumping, energy soaring, and familiar faces lighting up. Then straight into affirmations, introductions, and even some dancing - because learning should be fun! Today was MOCK INTERVIEW Day. And being a coach who cuts to the chase and takes no prisoners (pardon the pun!) I asked one simple, but powerful question to my 7 interviewees: ?? Why should I hire you over the other interviewees sitting outside my door? As expected, the canned answers came forth. But as any coach knows, that’s just the starting point. So, we hit pause and flipped the script: ? Don’t just tell me how good you are. ? Address what outcome I want as an employer. ? Why am I posting this role? ? What problem do I want solved? And just like that - after a few quick role plays as we sat opposite each other - they nailed it. Then came the WHY YOU? moment. If you know me, you know I love frameworks that simplify the complex. [My last book 'Shift and Disrupt' teaches sellers how to leverage these for sales conversations] Each guy drew a Venn diagram, putting the employer’s needs in the centre, with three key benefits addressing objections - wrapped in stories and examples. ?? In under 10 minutes, they weren’t just pitching - they were selling their value. Would I have hired them? In a heartbeat. We continued the conversation outside, in the sun, over lunch - sharing stories, dreams, and reflections. Some of these men are about to re-enter society after: ?? 13 years for robbing a bank while addicted to heroin ?? 7 years for robbing a pharmacy in the grip of oxy ?? 24 years for choices that cost them dearly They messed up. They own it. They are ready. They are employable. They are smart. They are deeply sorry. And while society may forgive them - for many, the hardest part is forgiving themselves. This is where empathy, vulnerability, and human connection come into play. We talk a lot about DEI in corporate settings. But maybe - just maybe - we need to widen the lens. What if true inclusion is also about giving people the chance to rebuild? What if we dropped the formality of departments and titles and simply showed up as humans? Sometimes, the only difference between us and them is luck. This is #DeliberateDisruption in action. Would love to hear your thoughts. Pics from a previous Mock Interview with 'Bobby', and a note I recently received from 'Daniel' after our 'Step To The Line' empathy exercise. You never know when or how you impact someone. If you’d like more info on Breakthrough, message me - I’ll introduce you to Ashley Furst, Director of Business Development. #SecondChances #Transformation #ShiftAndDisrupt

We are excited to announce that a familiar face in the Breakthrough community has officially joined the Board of Directors! Perry first joined the Breakthrough community in 2018, where he was a participant in Breakthrough's in-facility programming. Perry’s commitment to giving back led him to serve as a Peer Facilitator from 2020 to 2024, supporting and mentoring others through the same program. Perry states that: "[He is] honored for the opportunity to deepen my connection with the Breakthrough community as a member of its Board of Directors. I look forward to serving others as I have been served, and am confident this new journey and role with Breakthrough will be equally life changing!” Welcome to the Board Perry! We are excited to continue working together to create a brighter future for individuals and communities impacted by the criminal justice system. Read more at the link: https://lnkd.in/gF-UTcr7

? Welcome Home, Curtis! ? Curtis is now starting his reentry journey at a halfway house—and he's already on the path to success! At Breakthrough, we believe in supporting our people from the inside out. Through our in-prison education programming, reentry planning, and transitional support, we’re here to help individuals build the foundation for a brighter future. Curtis, we’re proud of YOU—and we can’t wait to see all the incredible things you’ll accomplish! #reentryprogram #reentrymatters #prisonprogram