In September of 2021, Operation Breakthrough began providing programming to more than 200 students, including 130 freshmen from Bishop Hogan and 42 freshmen from DeLaSalle high schools during the school day—along with 30 students who had aged out of Operation Breakthrough's before- and after-school programs. A total of 85 teen students served as Opportunity Interns during the 2022 summer program.

The existing 5,875-square-foot former muffler shop was renovated to create vibrant, flexible bays where students experience real-world learning in multimedia production, culinary arts, product design (2D-3D printing), green tech, digital electronics, graphic design, robotics, computer tech, and automotive-engineering and other emerging STEM priorities. 

Corporate and community partnerships help with programming (e.g. Mind Drive, PCs for People, invent XYZ). Students who participate have the opportunity to earn certifications, including CAD certification, a Food Handler's Permit, Drone Pilot's license or welding certification, etc. 

The Market Value Assets students acquire increase opportunities for students to enter higher paying jobs right out of high school, pursue additional technical training or have a more focused pathway toward college. There will be about 85 Operation Breakthrough students, aged 14 to 17, enrolled in the Ignition Lab that can choose to serve as Opportunity Interns throughout the school year and summer months.

Coupled with their daily real-world learning projects, the interns serve as mentors for younger children enrolled in Operation Breakthrough, as well as earn stipends for completing modules in financial literacy, personal assessments, and setting and achieving goals in developing essential work-related skills and attributes. Some of the students will teach their peers modules in robotics, product design (CAD) through 3-D printing and laser cutting, drone flight, and graphic design.

The launch of four entrepreneurial tracks will allow students to increase the stipend they earn each week for assuming responsibility of running small businesses in computer repair, a food truck, product-design retail shop and a next-gen hydroponic farm.

Locations

Click on the window icon (upper right corner) of the map below to expand. List of all program locations is included with expanded view of map. Locations are also listed on this page below the map.