Together We…Turn Data into Opportunities

Every student deserves a fair chance at an education. For Melissa Zepeda, Student Data Quality & Compliance Specialist I for the Riverside Northeast region, that belief is more than an idea. It is what has guided her 12-year career at Think Together.

Today, Melissa supports teams and students behind the scenes through collaboration, accountability, and a commitment to data accuracy.

The “Why” Behind It All

Melissa’s family, especially her siblings, has always been her biggest motivation. Growing up, Melissa and her older brother took on the responsibility of supporting their younger brother’s education because they wanted him to have the same opportunities as anyone else.

That experience shaped a belief she still carries today: Every student, no matter their background, deserves a fair chance at an education. Though she no longer works directly with students at a site. Melissa says that purpose continues to guide her work.

Melissa credits much of her mindset from her parents, who began working at a young age to support their own families. Their work ethic and determination to build a better future left a lasting impression on her.

Her mom’s advice especially stayed with her: “Hay una solución para todo, menos la muerte,” (“There’s nothing that can’t be fixed, except death”).

That perspective helped shape Melissa’s solution-oriented mindset and belief in encouraging others through challenges. Working in education has always been a passion for Melissa. She joined Think Together in 2014 as a Program Leader and immediately connected with the organization’s mission and commitment to students. Over the years, she took on different roles across the organization, but one thing stayed consistent: Think Together always felt like home.

How Melissa Cultivates Success

Melissa believes success starts with practicing open communication and creating a positive team culture. She leads with what she calls an “open cubicle” policy, encouraging site staff to easily reach out with questions or concerns. That openness also allows her to proactively support teams whenever she notices data discrepancies or challenges.

Recognition is equally important to Melissa’s leadership approach. She makes it a point to recognize the sites’ hard work and consistency, especially during their monthly regional meetings. She says that balance of support and recognition helps create a sense of accountability, friendly competition, and more importantly, helps teams stay motivated and take pride in their growth.

Melissa’s Guide to Collaboration and Data

Melissa’s priority is ensuring the data shared internally and externally is accurate and reliable. She audits site attendance and reviews attendance packets weekly to quickly identify and correct any discrepancies. This consistency has helped her region maintain a strong record, with zero missing or past-due packets.

Beyond the technical side of her role, Melissa collaborates closely with Executive Directors, Associate Directors, and Program Quality Compliance Specialists to help regions meet deadlines ahead of organization-wide timelines. She also hosts weekly open office hours where site teams can answer questions and receive support on challenges with attendance packets. For Melissa, her work goes beyond numbers and charts. It’s about helping teams stay aligned and equipped to serve students well.

She says curiosity, patience, and communication are some of the most important skills that make her effective in her role.

“Being willing to ask questions is essential, especially when something doesn’t look right,” she shared.

Most Memorable

Some of Melissa’s favorite memories at Think Together center creating fun and meaningful experiences for students.

One of her favorites was organizing a production of How the Grinch Stole Christmas two years in a row. It was truly a team effort. Students performed in the cast, designed decorations for the play, and families helped create costumes. For Melissa, it became a reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together.

Another memory that stayed with her involved a student who struggled academically and lacked confidence in herself. Melissa intentionally paired her with a Junior Program Leader to create a more encouraging environment. Over time, she watched the students begin to complete her homework more consistently and slowly participate more in activities. Most importantly, the student gained confidence in learning and growing.

One moment Melissa still remembers was when the student excitedly shared that her grades had improved.

“Seeing her believe in herself again was something I’ll never forget,” shared Melissa.

Beyond the Role

Melissa pours into her day-to-day work and uses her spare time to catch up on some much-needed sleep. But if it is an especially long and hectic week, you can find Melissa rewatching old 90’s TV shows. Her two favorites right now are The Nanny and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and she tends to go back and forth between them. Depending on the show, she likes to make it a fully cozy night in with her comfiest pajamas, a heated blanket, and her favorite snacks. She usually goes for Flamin’ Hot Fritos or peanut M&Ms, and sometimes popcorn for that sweet-and-salty mix. If she is really decompressing, she’ll throw in a glass of wine. It’s my way of unwinding and fully relaxing after a long day.

Outside of that, she really enjoys spending time with family and friends, whether that’s just hanging out or catching up. She also likes taking time to pamper herself by going out to eat, and when she can, traveling or getting out of town. Those moments help her balance out her routine and recharge in different ways.

Through four different Think Together roles, balancing data and compliance reports, and a few Christmas plays, Melissa has Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos (DTMF) as the soundtrack to her life. For her, it reflects on those moments spent with loved ones, being so present and caught up in the experience that you forget to take photos, only to later wish you had those memories captured. Family means a lot to Melissa, and this song really resonates with that feeling. It also brings up emotions around remembering people who are no longer here and appreciating the time we had with them. It’s a reminder for her to be more present and intentional in the moments she is living now.

At our third annual Think Together, Build Together event in Santa Ana, donors, volunteers, and partners came together with one goal: get students what they need for a strong summer.

Together, we worked toward funding and assembling 2,000 classroom kits that will be used across Think Summer programs statewide.

100 volunteers joined us, alongside partners like the Assistance League of Tustin, Orange and Villa Park NCL, Santa Ana Rotary, University Synagogue, Topgolf, Pioneer Circuits, RMH Dancing, Pacific Life, State Farm, and Trinity United Presbyterian Church.

“It’s important to give back and help organizations like Think Together,” said Karl, a volunteer from Pacific Life. “They need our help, and by coming together for events like today, we’re helping impact thousands of students.”

But the main story is what happens next.

Last summer, more than 26,000 students participated in Think Together programs across 270 school sites.

For many students, summer is a time when progress can stall or slip, especially in math and early reading, making the start of the school year that much harder. These kits help change that.

“Summer learning plays a critical role in helping students maintain momentum,” said Think Together Founder and CEO Randy Barth. “These kits help ensure students return to school ready to learn, not needing to catch up.”

We know that when students stay engaged over the summer, they come back more confident, more prepared, and ready for what’s next.

And that starts with something as simple as having the right materials in their hands.

More than 2,000 summer learning curriculum kits will benefit students across the state this summer.

SANTA ANA, Calif., April 30, 2026 — Think Together, a division of Think Education, hosted its third annual Think Together, Build Together kit build event, bringing together donors, volunteers and community partners to support summer learning for students statewide.

This year’s initiative aimed to fund and assemble over 2,000 classroom kits designed to support hands-on academic and enrichment activities throughout Think Together’s summer programs. Through sponsorships, $160,000 was raised to cover the costs of the kits.

Volunteers and sponsorship support came from local organizations including the Assistance League of Tustin, Orange and Villa Park NCL, Santa Ana Rotary, University Synagogue, Topgolf, Pioneer Circuits, RMH Dancing, Pacific Life, State Farm, and Trinity United Presbyterian Church.

Over the past three years, Think Together, Build Together has grown into a signature volunteer event, engaging corporate partners, community members, and supporters in a hands-on effort to support student learning.

“If anyone’s thinking about getting involved or supporting Think Together, you know what I’d say? Just do it,” said Think Together board of directors member Tracy Hernandez, CEO of New California Coalition. “We need students to be well supported and inspired to be the best they can be as they grow up into the future.”

Research shows that extended breaks can lead to measurable learning loss, particularly in mathematics and early literacy, with some students losing a substantial portion of prior-year gains without structured enrichment. This can result in increased reteaching needs, slower instructional pacing and widening achievement gaps when students return to school.

Think Together’s summer model combines academic support with enrichment opportunities including STEM activities, arts education, sports, and real-world learning experiences. The classroom kits assembled through the event provide the materials that make these experiences possible.

“Summer learning plays a critical role in helping students maintain momentum,” said Think Education Founder and CEO Randy Barth. “These kits help ensure students return to school ready to learn, not needing to catch up.”

Last summer, Think Together served more than 26,000 students across 270 school sites. The organization’s summer programs are designed to keep students engaged in learning during a critical period when academic regression is common.

About Think Together

For over 25 years, Think Together has partnered with schools and communities to pursue educational opportunity and excellence for all kids. A division of Think Education, Think Together innovates, implements, and scales academic solutions that change the odds for hundreds of thousands of California students each year. Think Education’s program areas include early learning, afterschool programs, staffing, school improvement and leadership development for teachers and school administrators.

For more information, call (888) 485-THINK or visit www.thinktogether.org. 

Follow Think Education on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. Follow Think Together on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

“Find a career you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life!”

This belief led Anareli Esparza to pursue a career in education and eventually step into her role as a Program Leader in the Riverside Southwest region. Over the past three years, Anareli has built strong school partnerships and continues to find daily inspiration from her students’ smiles.

Get to know Anareli below.

Anareli’s Start

Growing up, Anareli always dreamed of becoming a teacher. While life took her in a different direction, that passion never left. As a stay-at-home mom, Anareli would ask her kids about their school day. Through that conversation, she learned about Think Together. Her kids were actively involved and loved the different activities and opportunities it offered.

Hearing their positive experiences sparked something. Anareli applied for a Program Leader role, combining her love for working with children with the chance to create meaningful learning experiences for other students, just like the ones her own kids had.

How Anareli Creates Success

In this line of work, success is not always measured in obvious ways. For Anareli, it shows up in her students’ joy.

She recalls a trip to the Griffith Observatory where her students experienced something new and exciting. They learned so much and they were all smiling from ear to ear as they were leaving. The bus ride home was filled with fun retellings of the day and huge smiles. For Anareli, moments like these are the clearest sign she is making an impact.

Her work has not gone unnoticed. Teachers at Pedley Elementary have reached out to Riverside leadership to recognize her contributions and dedication. When asked what drives strong school partnerships, Anareli keeps it simple: respect.

“I always want them [the school staff] to know that Think Together respects their school and their space,” she shares.

She leads with professionalism, positivity, and most importantly, a positive attitude! Keeping the school spaces clean and making sure students prioritize this as well is the reason why Padley Elementary loves Anareli. Her connection with students is just as strong. When she takes a day off, it is felt. For many students, it’s just not the same without Mrs. Esparza!

Outside of work

Outside the program, Anareli enjoys spending time with her family, often visiting theme parks, with Disneyland as a favorite. On a simple day, you can find Anareli at Cold Stone with her kids, enjoying coffee ice cream with brownies and roasted almonds.

We’re not in the classroom anymore, Toto! Think Together students clicked their heels three times and stepped onto the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City for a whimsical production of The Wizard of Oz.

Students from three school sites in Baldwin Park Unified School District performed two shows at the Baldwin Park Performing Arts Center, marking a first-of-its-kind experience that immersed them in a professional theater setting.

The performances were brought to life through Think Together’s enrichment accelerator partnership with Arts & Learning Conservatory (ALC), a nonprofit that delivers in-school programs advancing performing arts education across Southern California.

Fifth grader Avery, who played the Scarecrow, spent two months rehearsing with her peers to bring the world of Oz to the spotlight.

“It takes a lot of dedication to put on a play because when I first started, I didn’t know how hard it was going to be, but after three weeks, I got the hang of it,” said Avery. “My favorite part about this whole process has been doing all of the work and getting good enough to the point where I’m performing.”

For many students, this was their first time participating in a production of this scale. Elementary and middle school students worked together, with middle schoolers leading behind the scenes as stagehands while younger students took center stage.

“I have truly seen students come out of their comfort zones, during this process,” said Think Together Site Program Manager Samantha Farias. “Their regular school day teachers have also been witnesses to their growth in their classrooms. Arts education is super important for our students because it really allows them to try out something new.”

Farias highlighted one student in particular, Isabel, who truly blossomed through the experience. A special education student who once kept to herself, Isable now embraces the spotlight and is eager to participate in school activities. Her parents and teachers noticed the change and couldn’t be prouder.

Through hands-on instruction, ALC guided students through every aspect of production, from auditions to technical roles, giving them a full theater experience and a sense of ownership on stage. Students rehearsed four days a week, and they were expected to continue their work at home through reading, memorization, and preparation with family or friends.

“One of the most beautiful parts of this journey has been watching them push past fear and step into bravery,” said ALC Teaching Artist Toni Jones-Pelayo. “They’ve learned to trust themselves, support one another, and keep going even when something feels difficult or unfamiliar. With no technology in class, they were able to be fully present listening, connecting, imagining, and creating together in a way that felt honest and powerful.”

ALC challenged students to grow both on and off the stage. It would be more than simply performing; it would be an opportunity for students to discover just how capable and disciplined they truly are.

Part of this process also meant helping students connect with the language of the script in a deeper way. They took time to break down words, phrases, and terminology so they could better understand what they were saying and bring truth to their performances.

By partnering with organizations like Arts & Learning Conservatory (ALC), Think Together continues to extend learning beyond the school day, unlocking courage, heart and a little bit of imagination to help students discover what’s possible for them to thrive.

Through its nearly two-year partnership with ALC, Think Together, a division of Think Education, has broadened arts education access across Southern California. In Baldwin Park Unified, enrichment programs have flourished, offering opportunities like ballet folklórico and STEM experiences such as AI Club.

To learn more about Think Education, visit https://thinkeducation.org.

Explore the stories below to see more of Think Together’s enrichment accelerators in action.

elink.io | See Original

Think Together students from Desert Hot Springs High School (DHSHS) recently saw their designs come to life on the runway at Fashion Week El Paseo, one of the West Coast’s largest fashion events.

Think Together was the benefiting charity for the Instituto Marangoni Miami’s fashion show evening on March 17, marking the second consecutive year DHSHS students have participated in the event.

For over a month, a small group of students from DHSHS’s Fashion II class sketched, pinned, sewed and cut their way to a perfect design. Among them was Aubrey, a senior returning for her second year, now as president of the DHSHS Fashion Club, leading her peers in exploring fashion beyond the school day.

“I’m very excited to once again show off an outfit I helped design. It was great collaborating with my peers; everyone had their own role,” said Aubrey. “Thank you to Think Together for this amazing opportunity. Because of this project, we were able to create a fashion club at my school last year.”

Instituto Marangoni Miami’s theme inspired this year’s student design, “#We Say, Moda!”, a fresh take on the future of style. The DHSHS students’ look featured asymmetrical cuts, bold accents and layered patterns, reflecting their vision of what’s next in fashion.

Before the show, students got a behind-the-scenes look at the production, watching models rehearse, observing last-minute touch-ups and taking in lineup boards as the final details came together. They also participated in a Q&A with Fashion Week education sponsor Jordan Schnitzer and director Susan Stein, gaining insight into careers in the industry.

For junior Tehya, who conceptualized the sketch, the experience was both validating and inspiring.

“An opportunity like the one Think Together is providing is important because it shows students like me that our interests can be pursued in the future and there are adults who care about our passions, too,” said Tehya. “They want to display our work on a high level. Especially being from underprivileged communities and not having many of these opportunities, it is cool to say ‘wow, I can do something really amazing and it will get a bit of a spotlight.’”

As the lights dimmed and the runway came to life, students watched from the front row of the Instituto Marangoni Miami show, fully immersed in the moment.

“This year is extra special,” said Think Together Site Program Manager Fiona Burns. “Students are more prepared, more curious and more invested in presenting themselves professionally. A big takeaway I want for the students from this project is patience. The whole process from beginning to end is teaching them to work hard towards their goal, and the result will be that much more rewarding.”

To round out the evening, students commemorated the experience with a group photo on the runway alongside other students from across the Coachella Valley, capturing a moment they won’t soon forget.

Think Together Marketing Manager Katy Dennis, who led cross-departmental collaboration to solidify Think Together’s presence at the event, was in awe of how students presented themselves at the event.

“It was my first time supporting and attending the event, and it was so fulfilling to witness,” said Katy. “The students were so eager to learn and fully embrace the experience, even dressing up and mirroring that passion for style that they poured into their original design.”

While this chapter has wrapped up, the students’ work continues. They are now preparing for their school fashion show in April, where they’ll debut rodeo-themed designs.

Building on this momentum, Think Together and DHSHS are exploring ways to expand the fashion club into a summer program, potentially opening it to local middle school students as well.

Experiences like Fashion Week El Paseo are just one way Think Together helps students explore their passions and expand their sense of what’s possible.

Curious to see what our students did last year? Get a behind-the-scenes look here and read our 2025 recap in the Desert Sun.

Since 2020, Think Together, a division of Think Education, has partnered with Palm Springs Unified School District to deliver innovative academic programs to TK-12 students in the afterschool space to help them learn. grow and thrive.

To learn more about Think Education, visit https://thinkeducation.org.

Think Together Family and Community Engagement Coordinator Recognized by National Afterschool Association

Family and Community Engagement Coordinator Sara Orellana was selected as a Next Generation Leader by the National Afterschool Association (NAA). This achievement places her among 30 emerging leaders nationwide recognized for advancing equity and quality in afterschool and expanded learning programs.

Sara joins Think Together’s past NAA honorees Alexis Rivas (2025), Hernan Sanchez (2022), Helen Welderufael (2021), Alberto Barajas (2018) and Stacy Galdamez (2017).

Think Together Students Showcase their Designs at 2026 Fashion Week El Paseo

Think Together students from Desert Hot Springs High School’s (DHSHS) Fashion 2 class designed looks for Fashion Week El Paseo, the West Coast’s largest fashion show. For the second year in a row, Think Together was named the benefiting charity for the event’s student evening on March 17, which showcased couture designs from Instituto Marangoni Miami’s fashion students.

Through the collaboration with the DHSHS fashion students, Think Together is giving them hands-on experience in the fashion industry and the opportunity meet professionals in the field, hoping to ignite a passion for higher education and a bright future.

Read more about this exciting event here.

Think Together is Expanding Student Success with LevelUp Lynwood and AT&T

In celebration of the expansion of The Achievery, AT&T’s safe online digital education platform designed to support K-12 student learning, students at Cesar Chavez Middle School in Lynwood welcomed Think Together and AT&T with cheers that echoed throughout the gymnasium.

Think Together’s partnership with Lynwood Unified has provided students with opportunities like The Achievery that go beyond access to technology and help build foundational skills for their future.

Making an Impact on the Court with the LA84 Foundation

Think Together is honored to continue its partnership with the LA84 Foundation, providing our students with free, high-quality competitive sports programs. This year, in collaboration with LA84, Think Together will be expanding this impact to 39 middle schools in San Bernardino and Riverside counties that will serve more than 3,000 students.

We’re grateful to The San Bernardino Sun for featuring this partnership and helping share the impact it’s making for thousands of students.

Click here to get a closer look at the partnership.

To commemorate the occasion and celebrate the 150^th anniversary of the first phone call, AT&T distributed 150 refurbished laptops to students enrolled in LevelUp Lynwood, Lynwood Unified’s afterschool enrichment program in partnership with Think Together.

“At AT&T, one of our core missions is to connect people,” said AT&T Regional Assistant Vice President of External Affairs Lupita Sanchez-Cornejo. “Through our partnership with Think Together, we’re able to provide technology that expands learning opportunities and brings relevant digital learning content to students in Lynwood and beyond.”

For almost two decades, Think Together and AT&T have collaborated to support students across California by expanding access to technology and digital literacy curriculum. Since 2023, AT&T has invested more than $1 million to the organization and expanded its offering of the Achievery to up to 175 schools including those in Lynwood Unified.

When asked what his favorite lesson is on The Achievery, Joseph, an eighth-grader from Cesar Chavez Middle School, lit up as he described how the platform’s music-related content has strengthened his love for music.

“I like The Achievery because we get access to fun, short-form content,” said Joseph. “My favorite lesson is about music. I’m in band and my family is constantly playing it at home, so it’s one of my favorite lessons.”

The Achievery is a comprehensive curriculum spanning STEM, digital literacy, social-emotional learning, college and career readiness, and more. The Achievery has supported student-led learning experiences, strengthened confidence and presentation skills, and created meaningful opportunities for youth to explore real-world digital tools.

“We’re grateful for partners like AT&T, whose innovation and commitment to expanding student learning are helping students discover new interests, build skills and imagine what’s possible for their future,” said Think Together Senior Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations Lawrence Gustafson.

Think Together’s partnership with Lynwood Unified has provided students with opportunities like The Achievery that go beyond access to technology and help build foundational skills for their future. “Programs like The Achievery provide hands-on experiences that spark curiosity, build confidence, and help students develop critical digital skills, setting a strong foundation for success in school and beyond,” said Thelma Gonzalez, coordinator of the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) at Lynwood Unified School District.

Take a look at how Think Together and AT&T are expanding digital learning opportunities for students across California below.

AT&T’s $525,000 investment supports Think Together in bringing The Achievery to afterschool students, helping them build digital skills and prepare for the future.

LYNWOOD, CALIF. (Mar. 3, 2026) – Think Together, in collaboration with AT&T, celebrated the expansion of The Achievery, AT&T’s safe, online digital education platform designed to support K-12 student learning. Held at Cesar Chavez Middle School in Lynwood, students enrolled in LevelUp Lynwood in partnership with Think Together, shared their experiences with The Achievery platform, alongside district, business and community leaders.

As part of the event, AT&T, in partnership with Human-I-T, distributed 150 refurbished laptops to students and presented Think Together with a $525,000 community investment from AT&T to support sustained access to The Achievery across middle and high schools throughout California.

Through The Achievery, students explore a wide range of topics and skills designed to prepare them for both academic and real-world success. The platform offers engaging lessons in STEM, coding, digital literacy, social-emotional learning, and college and career readiness, giving students the chance to create projects, solve problems and collaborate with peers.

With the support of LevelUp Lynwood initiatives, students engage in hands-on learning experiences, including designing digital presentations, exploring coding and robotics, creating multimedia projects, and participating in career-connected technology activities. By learning how technology is applied in real-world careers, students develop practical skills, strengthen critical thinking, and build creative confidence. These opportunities support Lynwood Unified’s district goals of preparing students for college, career, and life by fostering innovation, collaboration, and meaningful engagement beyond the traditional classroom.

“Think Together and AT&T are creating exceptional opportunities for our students to engage in digital learning outside of school time,” said Thelma Gonzalez, coordinator of the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) at Lynwood Unified School District. “Programs like The Achievery provide hands-on experiences that spark curiosity, build confidence, and help students develop critical digital skills, setting a strong foundation for success in school and beyond.”

Since 2008, AT&T has supported Think Together’s programs, contributing more than $1 million since 2023. Each site offering The Achievery is designed to serve students with hands-on digital learning experiences that build not only technological skills but also confidence, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.

“Igniting curiosity and inspiring a love of learning are essential to growth and success – and that belief is what sparked the creation of The Achievery. Our goal is to help expand learning beyond the classroom and support a generation of engaged, lifelong learners,” said Susan Santana, President, AT&T California. “We’re excited to continue supporting our collaboration with Think Together across California, which will help us reach thousands of students and open doors to even greater achievement.”

This effort is part of AT&T’s initiative to help address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability and safe adoption. AT&T has committed $5 billion to help 25 million people get and stay connected to high-speed internet by 2030.

# # #

About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T 

We’re committed to advancing education, creating opportunities, strengthening communities and improving lives. As part of our companywide commitment to address the digital divide, we launched AT&T Connected Learning to invest in connectivity and technology, digital literacy and education solutions to help today’s learners succeed inside and outside of the classroom. Since 2008, we’ve committed to programs that help millions of students across all 50 states and around the world, particularly those in underserved communities.

About Think Together

Think Together partners with schools and communities to pursue educational equity and excellence for all kids. As a nonprofit organization, Think Together innovates, implements and scales academic solutions that change the odds for hundreds of thousands of California students. Think Together’s program areas include early learning, afterschool, school support services and leadership development for teachers and school administrators. For more information, call (888) 485-THINK or visit www.thinktogether.org.

Think Together Family and Community Engagement Coordinator Sara Orellana becomes sixth Think Together leader to receive the prestigious honor.

Santa Ana, Calif. (March 14, 2026) – Think Together, California’s largest nonprofit expanded learning service provider, is proud to announce Family and Community Engagement (FACE) coordinator Sara Orellana’s recognition as a Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders by the National Afterschool Association. Orellana was recognized alongside 29 other NextGen Leaders during the NAA26 convention in Washington D.C., March 11-14.

This recognition celebrates outstanding early-career professionals in the out-of-school time field who are deeply committed to their own growth and the growth of others, and who continue to build their leadership skills through dedication, curiosity, and perseverance.

Orellana joined Think Together in 2022 as a FACE coordinator in the organization’s Southeast Los Angeles region, then transferring to Santa Fe Springs. Her leadership skills led to a transformational impact, helping 67 school sites and supporting more than 4,000 students.

“Sara embeds herself into the school communities,” said Executive Director of Programs Jesse Durkin. “She comes from a place of service above self, inspiring other staff members and her peers. She makes it a priority to advocate with local officials, mayors, state senators and more to shine a light on expanded learning.”

In 2025, Orellana’s impact on her community earned her Think Together’s Making an Impact award. This award is given to exceptional leaders who have made a significant contribution to the organization’s mission of changing the odds for kids through expanded learning programs.

As a team of 10, they take on various responsibilities within their roles including acting as a liaison to school support services, advocating for legislation that funds expanded learning and serving as a resource for school site and district partners.

In 2025, the FACE team trained over 1,000 Think Together staff members to better understand the needs of the communities Think Together serves. They also delivered nearly 9,000 informational pieces across Think Together’s regions ranging from site event flyers to family resource brochures to newsletters.

With Orellana’s recognition, she will join the list of outstanding Think Together leaders who advocate for the importance of afterschool programs. She joins past Think Together NAA honorees Alexis Rivas (2025), Hernan Sanchez (2022), Helen Welderufael (2021), Alberto Barajas (2018) and Stacy Galdamez (2017).

NAA’s Afterschool Today magazine will feature the honorees in its Spring 2026 issue. Read more from the National Afterschool Association here.