My Breakthrough Experience: Nyja Harris

I’ve persevered through so many challenges, with the goal of being the first of my family to graduate with a college degree and to build a comfortable life, and Breakthrough was there with me every step of the way.

When people ask me about my Breakthrough experience, I put it simply: Breakthrough shows up. They show up every day, every week, every month, every year. They are like those superhero movies with heroes in costumes walking in slow motion, but they aren’t going to fight some pretend villain. They are real people who show up to help real people like me.

It all started way back in 2012. I was a middle schooler in Manor ISD.

I remember my first Breakthrough summer program. I didn’t really get it. Ok, I know I’m supposed to be telling you all the great stuff about Breakthrough, and I will. But I’m going to be honest. The 12-year old Nyja hated it. I remember asking myself, “why am I here, doing extra work – a lot of extra work – and during the summer??”

I get embarrassed when I think back about how I was so mean to my teachers, giving them extra sass all the time. But, I showed up every day, and I did the work.

By my second year, I started to get it. I had friends also giving up their summers, or their Saturdays during the school year to be together. I also met these amazing college students who were my Breakthrough teachers. One of them was named Liz, and she was my first true Breakthrough hero. She was so passionate and smart. She inspired me to do something for the world and my life. I even decided to become a vegetarian for a whole year because of her. I came to love the Breakthrough summer program and seeing my advisors like Paulina, Dorothy, Sol and so many others in the school year too.

I was part of Breakthrough through middle and high school, but college was when Breakthrough’s support really meant the world to me. When I was admitted to Huston-Tillotson, I was excited to be independent, to move into my dorm, and start my own journey! Working full time AND going to school was not easy, but I’ve always been someone with grit and determination. And once again, Breakthrough was there, even getting me support with rent the year I lost my job during the pandemic.

They also helped me get my first internship– paid– at Horizon Bank. It was a game changer for me! I learned a lot, saved up money, and I bought my first car – all in cash.

Even as I became more independent, I wasn’t alone in the journey. I knew Breakthrough had my back. One person, Maya, was my advisor for three years at Huston-Tillotson. She spent hours on the phone with me listening to me vent and guiding me through life’s challenges. She made me genuinely feel that, even though I would be the first to go to college, I was just as deserving and worthy as anyone else.

And Claudia—wow, Claudia. There were times when I felt like I was drowning in stress—financial aid problems, deadlines looming, feeling like everything was closing in. But when Claudia was there, things would all of the sudden be fixed. Every time she showed up, it was like the pressure lifted and I could breathe again. The truth is, financial aid reps got a little nervous when they heard Claudia was coming, because she was going to fight for me.

One thing all of my advisors had in common is they helped me realize the kind of work I wanted to do: work rooted in care for children, care for colleagues, and care for the community.

Today, I’m proud to say I’ve earned my own superhero cape. I graduated in May of 2023 from THE Huston-Tillotson University with a Bachelor’s in Psychology.

Now, I help middle schoolers who are just like me as a Communities in Schools Coordinator. I get the joy of seeing the same sparks of potential in my students that Breakthrough saw in me.

So, let me tell you again, Breakthrough shows up!

Let me also tell you how grateful I am. Thank you for supporting this organization, so intent on making the world a better place.

Your support of Breakthrough isn’t just helping individual students overcome challenges, it’s making a difference for the future of Texas. Breakthrough students are the future leaders, thinkers, and change makers in this community. Like me, they have heroes who guide and inspire them along the way. And with your support, they just may have a chance to become someone else’s hero, too.

Thank you, God Bless.