Break Away

11/25/2024
Break Away Community,

In June 2024, The Break Away Board of Directors and staff announced with heavy hearts that after over 30 years of inspiring and activating thoughtful community engagement, Break Away will be closing its doors. Break Away’s mission has always been rooted in action, service, education, solidarity, transformation, justice, and revolution. These core values have guided our work and the powerful communities we’ve built together.

The decision to close is not made lightly, but one rooted in our values. We recognized that continuing to operate while stretched so thin risked leaving the organization too fragile to withstand further challenges, potentially leading to an abrupt and unplanned closure. That option felt counter to the heart of Break Away and the decades we have spent advancing lasting impact through deep connections and collective action. These efforts have led to Break Away’s values and teachings being implemented in countless programs through the network.

For this reason, we chose a dignified and intentional closure to an organization that calls us all in so deeply. This approach allows us to celebrate our accomplishments while working with our community to identify ways for the knowledge, passion and impact we’ve cultivated to inspire and grow into the future.

Over the past five months, we have worked to wind down operations while staying as transparent as possible on our current happenings.
A reminder of the transitions that have happened so far:
A virtual town hall was held to share Break Away’s closure along with the path that led to this decision on June 17, 2024.
The remaining Break Away staff members wrapped up their time with the organization on August 5, 2024.
To honor your paid memberships, Break Away offered digital Educational materials and workshops. In order to receive this benefit, each membership organization had to fill out the form provided by September 23, 2024. Additional workshops were available for purchase through October 21, 2024.
On November 1, 2024 all membership access to login to the Break Away website ended.
We are now entering the final phase of our closure process, which is expected to be completed within the next three months. During this time, we are focusing on three key priorities: finalizing the legal closure of Break Away, collaborating with recent former staff to preserve valuable materials and knowledge, and partnering with our network to ensure the tools and resources we’ve developed are shared and can be built upon in the future.
We hope this update reassures the Break Away community of our shared commitment to preserving the organization’s valuable materials. After exploring various options over the past five months, we have determined that the most sustainable path forward is for these materials and resources to be systematically preserved by an institution capable of supporting ongoing knowledge sharing. Discussions have already begun with member schools that have expressed interest. If your organization is interested in hosting these materials as an Educational Institution, please let us know by December 16, 2024. We will work closely with interested parties to ensure a smooth transition of these resources and keep the network updated throughout the process.
We understand that this change may still feel unexpected, but we remain committed to preserving Break Away’s legacy in meaningful ways. As we move forward, we are deeply grateful for the trust, partnership, and shared commitment to justice that you have demonstrated over the years. While Break Away may be closing, the fight for justice, transformation, and solidarity endures through Alternative Break and Community Engagement programs within our network. We are excited to see how our collective work will live on through your leadership and that of others in this community.
Thank you for your ongoing support. We look forward to staying in touch in the months ahead.

In community,

Break Away Board of Directors

‼️ UPDATE ‼️ We're extending availability of 📚 Training Materials for Purchase:
Our workshops will be available for purchase EXTENDED until October 28th!🍂
These resources have been essential in shaping leaders and fostering growth—don’t miss out! Have questions before purchasing? send us a message!
👉 https://www.break-away.org/edmaterials

Reminder! 🔒 Website Access Until November 1st:
All paywall sections of our website, filled with invaluable resources and insights, will remain accessible until November 1st. Be sure to explore the site before this content is no longer available.

Thank you to all who have shared their Break Away stories, we love ❤️ to see them!

Thank you for everything!

Educational Materials — Break Away Educational Materials Break Away educational materials are available for purchase to adapt for your program training needs. Break Away has 12 workshops available for purchase. Each digital download comes with access to a full facilitator guide and slide set. Workshop descriptions can be viewed by cl...

🚨 Important Update: Our Organization is Sunsetting Operations🚨
After years of incredible growth and impact, our organization will be closing its doors. We are deeply grateful for everyone who has supported our mission and been part of this journey. 🙏

But before we say our final goodbyes, here are two key opportunities for you to take advantage of:

📚 Training Materials for Purchase:
Our workshops will be available for purchase until October 21st. These resources have been essential in shaping leaders and fostering growth—don’t miss out!
👉 https://www.break-away.org/edmaterials

🔒 Website Access Until November 1st:
All paywall sections of our website, filled with invaluable resources and insights, will remain accessible until November 1st. Be sure to explore the site before this content is no longer available.

We appreciate all the support from our community over the years. While this chapter is coming to an end, the impact we’ve made together will live on. 🌟

Thank you for everything!

Break Away faithful,
As promised the last time we connected, the Break Away Board of Directors is set to hold a Town Hall meeting to discuss Break Away transitions, the next steps, member benefits, and more. There will also be time for an open Q&A. The meeting is set for June 17th at 5:30 eastern/4:30 central. We hope you can come and connect with our Board and staff.

Break Away Town Hall with the Board
Monday, June 17th
5:30pm eastern

If you have any questions or concerns in the meantime, feel free to reach out directly to the Board at [email protected].

Find Zoom info on the member listserv. If you are not a member but would like to come to the town hall, you are welcome! Just email [email protected] for Zoom details.

Happy Leap Day! In honor of this special occasion, we've opened registration for the 2024 Actively Building Community Solidarity conferences! We'll have two in-person sessions at Emory University in June and one virtual session in July. Highlights include Early Bird rates (available through 04/30), a referral reward, and the return of Staff Track in-person!

https://www.break-away.org/actively-building-community-solidarity

Are you at the IMPACT Conference this year? Come visit us!
💜🧡💛

For all our last-minute friends out there. We are accepting applications for our Summer 2024 Internship through tomorrow. We can't wait to review your materials and welcome you to the Break Away family!

BLK History Month
By: Nikki Giovanni

If Black History Month is not
viable then wind does not
carry the seeds and drop them
on fertile ground
rain does not
dampen the land
and encourage the seeds
to root
sun does not
warm the earth
and kiss the seedlings
and tell them plain:
You’re As Good As Anybody Else
You’ve Got A Place Here, Too

Notes: The title of this poem may be recited "BLK History Month" or "Black History Month." Either is acceptable.

Nikki Giovanni, "BLK History Month" from Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea. Copyright © 2002 by Nikki Giovanni.

Summer Interns wanted!

Each year, our Summer Interns learn valuable skills working with event logistics and curriculum facilitation during the Actively Building Community Solidarity Conferences (ABCS), membership consultations, and other projects suited to their talents.

If you know a student or recent graduate who is invested in justice, liberation, and community engagement who is looking for a paid summer internship, please forward this information along to them. Applications close at 5:00 p.m. PST on Friday, February 9. Please contact Buck Cooke at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Apply online: https://lnkd.in/euZmE2GU