Paving a Path for Brighter Futures at the 21st Annual California Afterschool & Summer Challenge
Think Together’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department gathered at the California School-Age Consortium, in partnership with the California Afterschool Advocacy Alliance, at the 21st Annual California Afterschool & Summer Challenge to advocate for expanded learning at the state level.
From March 3-4, Think Together’s FACE department joined professionals, youth and families to learn about the importance of advocating for the out-of-school time (OST) field. This year held higher significance as they aimed to secure long-term funding for the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP).
FACE team members Joel Salazar, Alexis Rivas, and Sara Orellana represented Think Together as team leaders at the event. Using their leadership abilities, they provided guidance and knowledge to afterschool and school-age care professionals. Later, the team created their own poster boards and participated in the rally, where they heard firsthand experiences and stories, highlighting the life-changing impact of OST programs on success in school, work, and life.
Following the rally, the FACE team had the opportunity to meet with legislators, where they further discussed the importance of afterschool programs. The team shared firsthand testimonials with leaders like Senator Susan Rubio, Senator Sabrina Cervantes, and Assemblymember Robert Garcia.
“It’s so fantastic to see so many of our Think Together team members rise as leaders in their own right, helping mobilize their communities and the field around these very important policy goals,” said Think Together Founder and CEO Randy Barth.
Think Together’s FACE department is a team of 10 exceptional leaders, dedicated to providing students and families with the resources they need to thrive. They have trained over 1,500 Think Together staff members to better understand the needs of the communities Think Together serves. In 2024 alone, the FACE team delivered nearly 8,000 informational pieces across Think Together’s regions ranging from site event flyers to family resource brochures to newsletters.
The California School-Age Consortium is dedicated to providing training, leadership development and advocacy for OST professionals, ensuring students have access to high-quality OST programs.
