We were lucky to catch up with Jennifer Dinh-Avila recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

“It Takes a Village”: A Learning Center with Heart and Vision

At our core, we are more than just a learning center. Yes, we provide academic tutoring and mentoring rooted deeply in psychology—but our mission goes far beyond textbooks and test scores.

For over a decade, we’ve had the extraordinary privilege of walking alongside students as they grow—not just academically, but emotionally and personally. We’ve witnessed their evolution, from hesitant first sessions to confident young adults ready to face the world. That journey, that transformation, is the heartbeat of our work.

We believe adolescence is one of the most complex, delicate, and defining chapters of a person’s life. It’s a time filled with questions, challenges, and transitions. We’ve built this center to be a village—an unwavering support system that helps young people navigate those pivotal years with guidance, compassion, and care. Our goal is to ensure that no child feels alone in their journey.

If I could speak simply from the heart: our mission is to create meaningful opportunity for every child in this next generation. We want to inspire others—parents, educators, mentors, and community members—to believe in the transformative power of connection. Because when we show up for kids, truly show up, we plant seeds that grow far beyond our reach.

Our philosophy is grounded in the Gestalt principle: “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” We believe that to truly prepare a child for life—not just school—we must nurture every aspect of who they are. That means working on academic skills, yes, but also emotional intelligence, resilience, communication, and self-worth. We don’t just tutor; we mentor, we listen, we build bridges.

In a world where young people often feel disconnected, we aim to be a space that brings them together—to help them see each other, support each other, and create a ripple effect of compassion and unity. We want to equip our students not only to succeed, but to lift others as they rise.

I truly believe we cross paths with others for a reason. Whether a student walks through our doors for a single month or stays with us for ten years, our hope is that they leave with something lasting—tools for life, an understanding of themselves, a belief in their potential, and the confidence to make their mark on the world.

At the heart of everything we do is a simple yet profound belief: every child deserves to be seen, heard, and empowered. Our mission is to nurture not only minds, but hearts—to prepare students not just for the next test, but for the next chapter of life. We are here to remind them of their worth, to guide them through uncertainty, and to cheer for them as they grow into the people they’re meant to be. In doing so, we hope to build a generation that leads with empathy, rises with resilience, and dares to make a difference. This is more than education—it’s a calling, a community, and a lifelong commitment.

Jennifer, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Breakthrough Learning Center: Where Education Meets Heart

What began in 2009 as a quiet dream in the heart of Yorba Linda has grown into a deeply rooted mission—one that blends psychology, education, mentorship, and community into something truly meaningful. It all started with four chairs from IKEA, a couple of whiteboards, and two students—our neighbor and my younger brother—learning side-by-side in our living room. At the time, we were simply two educators passionate about helping kids: I was working toward my Master’s in Psychology at Chapman University, and my partner was teaching high school math and coaching basketball.

We didn’t start out with a business plan—we started with heart. And over time, that heart grew into Breakthrough Learning Center.

Today, Breakthrough provides academic and emotional support for students from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade. Our team of instructors is made up of passionate, highly qualified educators—each with a specific academic background and degree in their field. We offer tutoring in all subjects, but what truly sets us apart goes beyond credentials.

What makes Breakthrough different is that this isn’t just a business—it’s personal. As founders, we’re not only educators—we’re a psychologist and a teacher who are deeply involved with every student who walks through our doors. We don’t just know their names. We know their stories. We know their struggles, their family dynamics, their dreams, and their fears. And because we understand the complexity of childhood and adolescence, we’re able to guide each child with both empathy and expertise.

As our little classroom expanded, so did our understanding of what students really need. Academic support is just one piece of the puzzle. What kids crave is connection, confidence, and someone who genuinely believes in them. That’s where our foundation in psychology and education comes alive. We don’t just prepare kids for the next test—we prepare them for the next chapter of life.

Our approach is grounded in the philosophy of Gestalt psychology: the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. We work on the whole child—academically, emotionally, and mentally—to help them become resilient, self-aware, and equipped for a world that’s ever-changing.

Through programs like our MAPS Peer Mentorship initiative, we extend this mission beyond our walls. We’re building up student leaders in other communities, empowering them to mentor peers academically and emotionally, because we believe change starts with compassion and connection.

The pandemic tested us all, but it also reminded us of our “why.” In a time of fear and distance, we chose to lean in—to support our families, adapt our services, and continue showing up for every child in whatever way they needed. That season reaffirmed the heart of our work: relationships first, always.

And as our center has grown, so has our family. Becoming parents to three young boys has transformed our perspective. It’s made us even more empathetic, more patient, and more committed to showing up not just as educators, but as people who understand the emotional weight parents carry. We know what it means to worry, to hope, and to want the absolute best for your child.

That’s why, even after all these years, we’re still right here in Yorba Linda—present, passionate, and evolving with the times. Whether your child needs academic help, emotional guidance, or simply a place to be seen and heard, Breakthrough Learning Center is here.

What we’re most proud of isn’t just the success stories or the grades—it’s the trust. It’s the bond we form with each student and family. It’s the light we see return to a child’s eyes when they feel believed in. To hear our students share their dreams—and then witness them, years later, living those very dreams—is one of the most profound and beautiful honors of the work we do.

Have you ever had to pivot?

My journey began in the field of psychology. I was studying at Chapman University, working toward my Master’s in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. Psychology has always been the core of who I am—it speaks to my heart and to my lived experience. Growing up, I struggled with depression and didn’t have the support system I so desperately needed. It made navigating life incredibly hard. That pain eventually became my purpose: I knew I wanted to help others feel seen, valued, and cared for in ways I never experienced. Psychology gave me the tools and language to do that.

While I was finishing my Master’s, I started tutoring a few neighborhood students—just to help out. What started as a side project quickly became something more. These weren’t just tutoring sessions. I was watching these students grow, day by day, week after week. I found myself not only helping them with schoolwork but guiding them through personal struggles, family dynamics, confidence issues—things far beyond academics. It hit me that I didn’t have to be in a therapy office to be doing meaningful work. I was already doing it.

So I made a choice that changed everything. I took a leap of faith and opened a learning center. It was a huge risk—leaving the traditional therapy path I had studied so long for—but it felt right. I realized I could integrate both worlds: education and emotional support. Even though I didn’t become a therapist in the conventional sense, I still feel like I’m doing therapy every single day. I’m working with students, parents, and entire families—listening, supporting, guiding, and helping them heal and grow.

Through word of mouth and a lot of heart, our learning center has become more than just a place to study—it’s a family. A place where kids can thrive not just academically, but emotionally and mentally. Looking back, that pivot was one of the most defining and rewarding decisions of my life. And even though psychology will always be a part of me—and maybe something I’ll return to someday—I know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be right now.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

For us, it all comes down to relationships. From the very beginning, we’ve believed that connection is the foundation of everything we do. We don’t just work with students—we get to know them. We take the time to understand their stories, their personalities, their struggles, and their dreams. And we extend that same care to their families, because we know how deeply connected a student’s growth is to the support they have at home.

Over time, these relationships evolve into something much more than just client-provider interactions. They become friendships. They become family. We celebrate milestones together—grades improving, college acceptances, personal growth—and we stand beside them in the hard moments too. Whether it’s offering a listening ear during a tough week or checking in just to say we’re proud, our students and their families know we’re always here.

That’s how we build loyalty—by being present, by showing up, and by creating a space where everyone feels safe, valued, and supported. At Breakthrough, once you walk through our doors, you’re part of a community that truly cares. And that kind of bond lasts far beyond any tutoring session.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.breakthroughLC.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakthroughllc/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/breakthrough-learning-center-yorba-linda?osq=breakthrough+learning+center