Celebrating Partnerships, Purpose and Student Success

Sharing Think Together’s Mission on CBS Los Angeles News 

Think Together’s Executive Director of Programs Joe Gallardo represented the organization on CBS Los Angeles News, emphasizing the value of expanded learning programs. His interview spotlighted Think Together’s mission and raised awareness about the importance of safe and supportive spaces for students. 

As we continue to expand across California, we look forward to providing students with the enrichment, mentorship and academic support they need to build a brighter future. 

Think Together Partner Arts and Learning Conservatory Recognized in the Orange County Business Journal 

Congratulations to our partner, Arts and Learning Conservatory, on its recent feature in the Orange County Business Journal. Our partnership with ALC brings STEAM to the stage through Behind the Scenes, an interactive technical theater program that introduces students to the arts through hands-on learning. In the 2024-25 school year, more than 1,000 students participated in 70 hours of arts and engineering instruction for over 10 weeks. 

Read more about ALC in the full article here. 

Norton Science and Language Academy Scores a Feature with The Press Enterprise 

In November, nearly 200 Think Together students from Norton Science and Language Academy attended a story time with L.A. Dodgers alum Dennis Powell. In collaboration with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, students received their own Dodgers merchandise and enjoyed an inspiring reading of the book Abuela. 

We are grateful to be selected as one of 25 best photos of the month in November. Thank you to The Press-Enterprise for capturing this moment, highlighting the impact we strive to make and serving as a reminder of why Think Together’s mission matters.  

View the photo here. 

I was introduced to Think Together through a friend, John Lee. He was on the board at the time and later became chairman. That is how I first got connected to the organization.

In what ways have you and Pioneer Circuits supported Think Together? 

For years our support has come through private donations. This past year we also sent employees to volunteer at the Spring Kit Build for the summer programs. They had a great time participating in that.

Why do you think programs like Think Together are important for kids? 

I have served in under-resourced communities, including ten years in Oakland while I was a pastor in the Bay Area. I have seen firsthand that public education is not as comprehensive as it used to be. Schools face many cuts and cannot always offer the full range of services students need. 

Supplementary programs are absolutely critical. Afterschool programs give students extra space to reinforce what they learn in the classroom. In under-resourced communities, students are less likely to receive that support at home. Organizations like Think Together fill that gap and provide essential, effective resources for kids.

Based on your community work, what other needs have you seen in under-resourced areas? 

Literacy support is a major need. Statistics show that some prison planning uses third grade literacy levels to project future needs. That is how foundational literacy is. I used to tutor first and second graders because schools can teach, but they often cannot offer enough reinforcement. 

Another need is simply having a safe environment where learning continues after school. Think Together creates that space. That is one of the reasons we continue to support the organization. They do their work effectively and consistently.

My mission is to fuel the passions and possibilities of the next generation. For the last three decades we have offered internal scholarship programs for employees’ children to help open opportunities for them. 

Each generation should build on what the previous one has given. My family laid a foundation for me, and I believe it is my responsibility to pay that forward. If we have been given much, it should not stay within our own families. It should pour outward into the broader community. Supporting organizations that invest in future generations is one of the ways we try to do that.

I hope they fulfill their potential. That will look different for every person. Success in the arts, for example, looks different than success in science or business. What matters is that young people have the opportunity to develop their gifts to their full expression. Not everyone who receives opportunity will take advantage of it, but we have a responsibility to continue making those opportunities available.

What would you say to someone considering a donation to Think Together? 

Think Together has proven over its entire history that it knows how to steward resources at every scale. I used to think the best approach was always to give to the smallest organizations. Over time I realized there is also great value in supporting organizations that have demonstrated they can steward resources effectively. 

Think Together has done that time and again. Considering the communities they serve and the impact they have, it is a trustworthy and meaningful place to give. You can be confident your contribution will support good work. 

Think Together is one of California’s largest expanded learning service providers. With programs spanning the state, the organization understands the importance of developing strong leaders who can champion students every step of the way. In 2025, Associate Director of Program Excellence Jailene Paniagua was named a 30 Under 30 Honoree by Sen. Eloise Reyes Gómez, proving that her passion and commitment to service are making a measurable difference.  

Since 2021, Jailene has been working to bring better opportunities for Think Together students. She began her journey at Think Together as a program coordinator and quickly excelled, ultimately earning her current role as an associate director of program excellence for Rialto Unified School District.  

“I love providing Think Together students with enriching experiences that many of them may not have the chance to enjoy outside of our program,” said Jailene. “Although these experiences require thoughtful planning and preparation, I know the joy and learning they bring to our students make every effort worthwhile.” 

In her current role, Jailene works hand in hand with Rialto Unified School District, supporting after-school programs across 12 campuses and reaching more than 2,000 students each day. Her days are spent ensuring program quality, uplifting her staff, and creating enriching experiences that spark curiosity, confidence, and growth in every student she meets. 

“I have grown tremendously throughout my journey here, and being part of this organization has shown me that I am capable of achieving anything I set my mind to,” said Jailene. 

During the summer, Jailene played a key role in supporting Think Together’s reading event with Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation. The event highlighted the importance of literacy and gave our youngest learners new opportunities to strengthen their skills, build confidence and develop a lifelong love of reading.  

With more than 30,000 students in Think Together’s San Bernardino region, leaders like Jailene help lay the foundation for success, building the bridge to better futures for the students we serve. 

In partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) and Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, Think Together hosted an LA Reads event for nearly 200 Think Together students at Norton Science and Language Academy (NSLA) in San Bernardino. Waiting for them at the event was a warm welcome from the LADF team, handing out team hats and T-shirts to everyone. 

As soon as the reading began, kindergarten through fifth-grade students sat in awe as Dodgers alum Dennis Powell brought the story, Abuela, to life, captivating them with each word. 

Once the reading ended, these young readers cheered, their appreciation shining through smiles and applause for Powell’s inspiring storytelling. 

Principal Erika Agosta shared her appreciation for the event and the opportunities it opened for NSLA’s scholars.  

“This partnership with Think Together and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation brings opportunities to our kids that they would normally not have. We are so proud to be able to have this partnership that has the same ideals that we do, which are leadership and teamwork,” Agosta said. 

LA Reads is part of LADF’s broader literacy campaign, which includes the Dodgers Reading Champions challenge, a program that motivates young readers to develop their skills through fun, engaging literacy activities.  

Since 2015, Think Together and the LADF have teamed up to expand access to literacy programs, STEM initiatives and social-emotional learning opportunities. Through this ongoing partnership, LADF has provided more than $140,000 in support for Think Together students across California.  

With more than 30,000 Think Together students in the Inland Empire, events like these highlight the power of community partnerships to spark a passion for learning and open doors for student success. 

For Think Together students across Southern California, the arts are more than an afterschool activity; it’s a pathway to confidence and creativity. A unique way Think Together and Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) have showcased how that vision comes to life is through the magic of ballet folklórico at Disney California Adventure.

Think Together and OCSA invited school leaders and educators, both current and prospective partners, to a special evening to witness the wonder of Disney’s Coco Storyteller live performance at Plaza de la Familia in the park. Many of the dancers who bring the Coco performance to life every evening are the same arts instructors who teach ballet folklórico to Think Together students through the partnership with OCSA.

For Melina Marin, a lead Think Together arts instructor by day and a folklórico dancer at Disney California Adventure by night, helping ignite students’ passion for the arts is her top role.

“It fuels and excites me to see students light up when they really start to find their rhythm and groove!” Marin said. “Every school that I’ve been to, there are obviously different personalities, but the passion remains the same. Science, math, and all those other subjects are important and will always be constant, but the arts really do help you gain a sense of identity.”

OCSA works with the Orange County dance company Relámpago del Cielo to bring highly trained instructors in subjects such as ballet folklórico and mariachi to Think Together students across Southern California. Marlene Peña-Marin, artistic director for Relámpago del Cielo Grupo Folklórico and director of OCSA’s Ballet Folklórico Dance Conservatory, highlights how crucial arts programming is, especially during the afterschool time.

“The biggest gift you can give any young student is a tool to express themselves, to find their voice, and connect them to their culture,” said Peña-Marin. “I believe that the partnership between Think Together and OCSA is going to be up and down the state of California, without a doubt! We’re going to bring this to a level of instruction that is untouchable.”

For many young students, access to high-quality arts at no cost is something they never thought was possible, but with Think Together and OCSA’s growing partnership, over 3,000 Southern California TK-8th grade students have achieved the impossible. For arts instructor Jacqueline Macias, she was once that young student who didn’t know arts education was an option. Now as a ballet folklórico instructor and a Disney Coco dancer, she is proud to unlock that passion within her students and help mold them through a new form of learning.

Together, Think Together and OCSA are inspiring the next generation of artists whether through ballet folklórico, mariachi, culinary arts, media and film, or other creative disciplines yet to come. Through its partnership, both organizations look forward to collaborating with more school districts to expand access to high-quality arts education that empowers students to dream big and express themselves with confidence.

While math and science build knowledge, the arts build creativity and heart. Today’s Think Together students may be tomorrow’s performers on a grand stage like Disney’s, bringing exciting stories to life.

To learn more about Think Together’s partnership with OCSA or about other dynamic Think Together accelerator program offerings, please explore the links below!

Think Together is once again teaming up with AT&T to support Think Together’s implementation of The Achievery in out-of-school time (OST) programs. This renewed $525,000 investment brings AT&T’s total contribution to Think Together’s digital learning efforts to more than $1 million, to empower youth with engaging content, real-world digital skills and the tools needed to thrive in a tech-driven world.  

The Achievery, powered by AT&T, is a free, ad-free digital education platform that offers lessons in STEM, digital literacy, social-emotional learning, college and career readiness, and more. Designed specifically to complement learning during OST programs, it helps students gain relevant skills while engaging with content in ways that feel fresh and meaningful. 

In its first year, Think Together was able to create 2,957 accounts; this includes 2,072 staff accounts, 805 student accounts, and 80 parent accounts. In the upcoming school year, the program will serve students at 175 elementary, middle and high schools across seven California counties.  

“Our continued investment in bridging the digital divide is part of our commitment to helping ensure that every California community can thrive in the digital age,” said Susan Santana, President, AT&T California. “By dedicating resources to this cause, supporting The Achievery and Think Together’s mission, we hope to empower more people to use these tools and find success in education, employment and innovation.”  

The impact in its first year is already noticeable in the lives of students at Compton High School who served as student leaders in Think Together’s program and led lessons for their peers on well-being, connection, and agency using The Achievery. Students also resonated with the social-emotional learning content from Warner Bros. and Find Your Grind, an all-in-on career and future-ready learning solution designed for K-12 students. 

“You get to learn how to deal with your own emotions, and I’m able to start learning something new with my team, something that we’ve never really done before,” Compton High School and Think Together student Ameilia shared. “That’s my favorite part, not only just because of the lessons, but the experience that I get with it.” 

Student-led presentations aligned with The Achievery have also proven effective in helping youth better understand how they deal with emotions, conflict, and difficult situations. These daily interactions have been deeply rewarding, as reflected in student testimonials collected throughout the program. 

Compton High School and Think Together student Walter expressed his appreciation for The Achievery and how it has helped with his confidence in the classroom. “The Achievery helped me present better with projects we’re doing in school. It helps me a lot to figure out what makes things more enjoyable to look at or more pleasing to students.” 

Act For Youth reports that 96 percent of teenagers use the internet daily, and 46 percent say they are online nearly all the time.  With digital device use increasing among younger generations, it’s important to remain proactive about how we can better support our students.  

The new round of funding from AT&T will continue to support expanding access to The Achievery through staff training and technology investments across Think Together programs. This includes purchasing devices and expanding access to digital learning modules for students and educators alike. 

Stephanie Garcia, site program manager at Think Together, said her students have become more confident in response to the lessons The Achievery offers. “I’ve seen a huge impact with student leaders who are running The Achievery, since they had never gone up and presented in front of their peers,” Garcia said. “Now they’re able to do so, and they get to decide which specific lesson, so they feel empowered to teach that lesson to their students and make sure everybody’s engaged.” 

Think Together and AT&T are creating a learning environment where students feel seen, supported, and empowered. By expanding The Achievery’s reach, they’re not only improving access to digital learning but also inspiring the next generation of leaders and changemakers. 

Learn more about The Achievery and its impact in Compton below. 

Think Together is excited to continue its partnership with Edison International, thanks to a renewed investment supporting STEM Coding and Robotics programs. With this funding, 900 middle school students in Jurupa Valley, Perris, and Rialto will gain access to technology and interactive STEM opportunities that spark curiosity and build future-ready skills. 

These STEM programs will run on three 10-week rotations, totaling 30 weeks. In each rotation, students were introduced to different topics. Starting with an introduction to visual programming, intermediate visual programming and ending with robotics, where students can build and program robots to conduct various experiments. Each rotation builds on the previous one and challenges students to apply what they learned the week before, increasing in difficulty. 

Rialto Middle School students previously engaged in a Sphero robotics activity as part of their STEM curriculum, where programming and computer science skills were put into practice to activate BOLT robots, a STEM robot that empowers students to explore their creativity, coding skills, and inventiveness. In a soccer-style competition, students were challenged to navigate their robots across the mat in a straight line or without veering off course. 

For many participating in the activity, it was their first time learning about programming and robotics. While challenging, students enjoyed the complexity of the activity as it actively engaged their mind.  

Eighth grader Johnathan especially enjoyed his time during the activity. Although he faced some obstacles, he found joy in the experience as his confidence grew. 

“This has been a really fun activity,” Johnathan said. “I love everything that has to do with electronics, so even though I made some mistakes, I really liked being able to learn how to fix them and get better.”  

As students delved deeper into the program, Think Together program leader Tanisha Finnie, who led the activity, saw the significant impact the experience had on them. 

“Sphero allows them to have fun while they learn how to code and how to play competitive soccer with the BOLT robots,” Finnie said. “Not every student has access to technology like an Apple iPad and the robots, so it’s definitely a great experience for them.”  

Edison International, the parent company of Southern California Edison, has a 20-year-history with Think Together with generous grants of over $700,000 geared toward STEM programming for students in the Inland Empire. Beyond financial contributions, they have participated as guest judges for the California Invention Convention, a statewide competition with more than 20,000 participants and 400 chosen school representatives who earn recognition for their innovative household inventions. 

In addition, Edison International has donated $8.5 million in educational grants in 2023. Edison International believes that education has the power to change lives, and places major emphasis on programs of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in middle school, high school, and college levels, including tutoring, scholarships, and college-access programs. 

Together, Think Together and Edison International are bringing innovation to students and helping them build the skills they need for a future full of opportunities. 

Discover how partners like Edison are making an impact below!