Together We…Set the Example

A passion for community service and a desire to make a difference in the Southeast Los Angeles region led Angelica Mendoza Rojas to Think Together. She strongly believes that connection and education are some of the most powerful tools that empower students to see the possibilities beyond their circumstances.

Read below to learn more about Angelica’s story

Angelica’s Journey

Angelica’s time with Think Together has been short, but incredibly impactful. She began her career as an Assistant Site Coordinator, overseeing a before-school program while always taking up opportunities to learn more about the organization’s many programs and services. Through that curiosity, continued learning, and guidance from leadership, she was able to grow into a Site Program Manager role, serving both elementary and middle school students.

About three months ago, she made another exciting transition into the high school realm, in Southeast Los Angeles. Working with high school students has been a different experience, but in the best way. It has challenged her to grow as a leader, learn new approaches, and better understand the unique needs of the students we serve.

Impact on Students

For Angelica, leadership often means stepping into roles you never expected to fill. Site Program Managers encounter countless individuals who shape their work, including parents, staff, teachers, and, most importantly, students.

Throughout Angelica’s journey, no one has impacted her perspective quite like one of her high school students who was starting to let personal struggles affect her experiences at school. This made it difficult for Angelica’s student to fully engage and show the person she truly is. At times, the student became more reserved and hesitant to connect with others, allowing the challenges she was facing to influence how she saw herself and interacted with those around her.

Through the support, encouragement, and patience of Think Together staff, Angelica’s student was given a safe space to begin stepping outside of her shell. Angelica and her team took the time to build a genuine connection with her, consistently reminding her of the strengths and potential that were already within her.

Little by little, this student’s confidence began to grow.

Her journey is a reminder that the struggles a student may face do not define who they are. Now this student can see she is more than the challenges she experiences outside of school, and with the right support system, she has been able to rediscover her voice and continue developing into a confident individual.

For Angelica, this student experience reinforced the power of mentorship. She reminded Angelica that she may not be able to change everything students experience beyond Think Together, but she can change how she shows up for them while they are with her.

That is what makes this work so meaningful. Angelica believes her greatest impact is simply being the person who believes in a student, shows up consistently, and reminds them that their circumstances do not determine their future.

Advice for Leaders

According to Angelica, how you show up for others matters. Your impact is often greater than you realize, and even the smallest interactions can mean the world to someone else.

Angelica believes leaders have the power to shape the culture around them, whether in their workplaces, communities, or most importantly, in the lives of their students. The culture they create in programs and the example they set starts with the choices they make every day.

For Angelica, leadership is not defined by the title. It is about the example she sets, the people she uplifts, and the impact she leaves behind. She chooses to show up with purpose, lead with intention, and remember that someone’s life may be changed simply because they felt seen, supported, and valued.

Angelica’s Self-Growth

Life is a constant state of learning and growing, especially in a career like Angelica’s. She has learned that self-growth is something you must chase with passion. And she encourages everyone to do the same. Her advice is simple: do not wait for growth to come to you. Chase it. Seek out opportunities to learn, take on challenges that scare you, and surround yourself with people who push you to become better. When we commit to our own growth, we become better leaders, better mentors, and ultimately, better providers to the communities we lead.

Beyond the Role

Outside of work, Angelica is a culmination of different interests, passions, and ambitions. She enjoys all forms of media, from romance movies to horror thrillers, and music ranging from EDM to rock and everything in between. She loves experiencing life by traveling to new places, attending concerts, and simply spending quality time with family and friends.

But what she values most is using the lessons she has learned and the skills she has developed to help others to grow. Whether she is offering guidance or seeking it herself, Angelica believes growth is a journey best experienced together.

At the end of the day, she hopes her life will be measured not only by what she accomplishes, but by the people she inspires, the lives she contributed to, and the opportunities for growth she helps create for others.

For many students, summer is a time to recharge, explore new interests, and create lasting memories, but it can also be an opportunity to strengthen academic skills and prevent learning loss before the new school year begins. 

This past summer, Think Together’s High Dosage Tutoring (HDT) program helped make that possible for hundreds of students in Colton Joint Unified School District (CJUSD), providing targeted academic support that kept learning moving forward. 

The High Dosage Tutoring program operates alongside Think Together’s CORE programming, with students participating in three weekly 30-minute tutoring sessions throughout the school year. Each session is led by trained Think Together tutors alongside certified classroom teachers, creating a collaborative learning environment where students receive individualized instruction tailored to their needs. 

Across CJUSD, the HDT program spans 17 school sites and serves up to 1,000 students in grades one through six. Through intentional literacy instruction, students build foundational reading skills, strengthen comprehension, and gain the confidence needed to succeed in the classroom. 

“The success of High Dosage Tutoring reflects the strength of our partnership with CJUSD and the dedication of our staff and educators,” said Alberto Barajas, Think Together Executive Director of Programs, San Bernardino region. “Together, we help students strengthen foundational skills and build momentum for long-term success.”

Now in its second summer incorporating HDT into Think Together’s summer session, the program reached a major milestone. For the first time, Think Together staff worked directly with certified teachers to deliver tutoring sessions during the school day, allowing students to seamlessly transition from classroom instruction to focused, small-group academic support. 

For second grader Kyro, HDT was something he was hesitant about at first. He was worried it meant missing out on all the fun learning activities and experiences going on through Think Together’s summer session. As time went on, Kyro discovered there was a balance between the tutoring sessions and participating in the summer fun.  

He eventually started coming into tutoring with a smile, actively participating during each instructional session, and even enjoyed tracking his progress through the program’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) system. His growth in both confidence and enthusiasm mirrored his academic progress. 

“With HDT, even 30 minutes a day can make a meaningful difference. We see that impact in the data as students strengthen their skills, make progress, and move closer to where they need to be,” said Sabirna Hernandez, Think Together High Dosage Tutoring Program Supervisor. “For me, that is what makes HDT so crucial: we are not just helping students learn; we are giving them consistent support, encouragement, and someone who believes in them. Being able to look back and see how far a student has come is a reminder that every session, every connection, and every minute we invest truly matters.”

The HDT program takes a village to get students like Kyro to where they need to be and ensure everyone involved is aligned to their goals. A strong foundation of partnerships is built with school site stakeholders, including principals, teachers, families and Think Together Site Program Managers to identify and recruit students who would benefit from additional academic support. 

To ensure every lesson makes an impact, Think Together’s HDT program partners with Amplify, an online platform that supports lesson delivery, attendance tracking, progress monitoring, and benchmark assessments. Every seventh lesson, students’ progress is measured, allowing tutors to adjust instruction based on each student’s growth and academic needs. 

Beginning-of-Year and End-of-Year assessment data collected through Amplify shows significant academic growth among participating HDT students, demonstrating that consistent, individualized instruction can make a meaningful difference in student achievement. 

As Think Together continues expanding opportunities for students to thrive both inside and outside the classroom, programs like High Dosage Tutoring demonstrate the power of mission-driven educators working together to accelerate learning. 

With the High Dosage Tutoring program set to continue throughout the 2026–2027 school year at Colton Joint Unified School District, even more students will have the opportunity to strengthen their learning and be on a path towards long-term achievement.  

Summer is a time to explore, learn and have fun. For Think Summer students at Vista Heritage Global Academy, every day brought a new opportunity to do all three. One volunteer event gave more than 20 middle school students the chance to experience engineering firsthand with support from 10 PIMCO volunteers and the Child Creativity Lab. 

Through this enriching activity, these young scholars explored engineering by designing and building their own Child Creativity Lab Wind-Powered Sail Cars alongside PIMCO volunteers. They created blueprints, used upcycled materials and applied engineering fundamentals as they brought their ideas to life. 

“It was really fun,” said Jared, a sixth grader at Vista Heritage Global Academy. “Our PIMCO mentor really motivated and inspired us. He gave us so many ideas. Even though we came in second, I learned that working as a team and doing your best are what really matter.” 

According to The Institute for Arts Integration and STEAM, exposing students to STEAM education encourages them to take thoughtful risks, engage in experiential learning, embrace collaboration and work through the creative process. 

“This work is important because it gives students the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning while exploring sustainability,” said Katy McInnes, director of partnerships at Child Creativity Lab. “We want them to leave feeling empowered and confident in their understanding of STEM careers and knowing those careers are within their reach.”  

As the students focused on the functionality of their designs, PIMCO volunteers lent a helping hand, empowering them to tackle challenges head on. From discussing which materials would help their sail cars move faster to encouraging them to test, adjust and try again, the volunteers boosted student confidence and resilience with every step. 

With each attempt, these aspiring engineers strengthened their problem-solving skills and discovered that engineering is a process of creativity, collaboration and perseverance. 

“At PIMCO, we value education and strongly support the work organizations like Think Together bring to the community,” said Fred Nguyen, an enterprise risk manager at PIMCO. “I hope the students gain a better understanding of what engineering is all about. Their competitive spirit was strong, and it was inspiring to see how excited they were throughout the activity.”  

For 13 years, PIMCO has partnered with Think Together to inspire the next generation of leaders to think outside the box and explore careers in STEM. Through its ongoing support, PIMCO has contributed more than $270,000 to expand learning opportunities for youth across California, helping them build the skills and confidence needed to pursue their future goals. 

From Orange County to Northern California, the Central Coast to the High Desert, our regional leadership team works closely with school and charter systems to ensure students have access to high-quality expanded learning opportunities. 

Our Executive Directors serve as trusted partners to the communities we serve in their regions. Together, they oversee partnerships across roughly 600 schools, bringing local knowledge, strong relationships and a shared commitment to creating brighter futures for students. 

Here’s a look at the leaders guiding our work across California.

Perla Galeno, Executive Director, Bay Area 

Perla Galeno leads Think Together’s Bay Area region, overseeing partnerships with school districts from Santa Clara to Alameda Counties.

Ricardo Molina, Executive Director, Northern California 

Ricardo Molina oversees Think Together’s Northern California region and partnerships with school districts from Solano and Sacramento Counties. 

Cynthia Rocha, Executive Director, Central Valley 

Cynthia Rocha leads the Central Valley region, supporting partnerships with school districts including Fresno and Kings Counties. 

Eddie Garcia, Executive Director, Orange County 

Eddie Garcia leads the transformational work in our Orange County region and surrounding area. 

Jesse Durkin, Executive Director, Southeast Los Angeles 

Jesse Durkin leads the Southeast Los Angeles region, working with school districts throughout Los Angeles County. 

Maximiliano “Max” Figueroa, Executive Director, Los Angeles Metro 

Maximiliano “Max” Figueroa leads Think Together’s Los Angeles Metro region, one of the organization’s largest and most diverse areas of partnership.

Lydia Escobar, Executive Director, San Gabriel Valley 

Recently promoted, Lydia Escobar oversees partnerships with school districts across the San Gabriel Valley, from the city of Arcadia to Ontario. 

Frances Contreras, Executive Director, Central Coast 

Frances Contreras leads the Central Coast region and oversees Think Together’s partnership within Santa Barbara County. 

Oswaldo Diaz, Executive Director, Palm Springs 

Oswaldo Diaz leads the Palm Springs region, leading partnerships from Coachella Valley to the Banning Pass. 

Alberto Barajas, Executive Director, San Bernardino 

Alberto Barajas leads the San Bernardino region and oversees partnerships across San Bernardino County.  

Virginia Servin and Alberto Gonzalez, Executive Directors, Riverside County 

Riverside County is led collaboratively by Executive Directors Virginia Servin and Alberto Gonzalez.  

Rosalie Trujillo, Executive Director, High Desert 

Rosalie Trujillo leads Think Together’s High Desert region from Victorville to Apple Valley, California. 

Local Leadership, Statewide Impact 

Across California, these regional leaders help turn that shared vision into action, one school, one partnership and one community at a time. While each region has its own unique communities, schools and priorities, Think Together’s regional leaders are united by a common goal: partnering with schools to help students thrive. 

By placing experienced leaders close to the communities we serve, Think Together can build stronger relationships, respond to local needs and work alongside school and district leaders to create expanded learning experiences that make a meaningful difference for students and families. 

What made you excited for a new school year when you were younger? For some students, it might have been new clothes, seeing friends again after a long summer, or the excitement of learning something new. Now, as a Site Program Manager, Mayra Mendoza with the San Bernardino West Region still looks forward to the start of a new school year, but for different reasons. Today, she is excited to see students succeed and grow!

Read below to learn more about her story.

Why Think Together

After more than a decade of working in education, Mayra has found her way to Think Together. One of the biggest inspirations for working here is her passion for supporting students and making a meaningful difference in their lives. Throughout her career, she has found the greatest fulfillment in helping students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Mayra has worked with foster youth, students experiencing homelessness, and other students with unique needs. These experiences have given her extensive knowledge of community resources and have shown her the importance of building strong relationships with families. At Think Together, she has the opportunity to use that knowledge every day by connecting students and families with the support they need while creating a safe and inclusive environment where every child can succeed.


This drive and inspiration have fueled Mayra and her team to serve 256 students last year! Being a part of Think Together allows her to combine her passion for education, student advocacy, and family engagement, while knowing that the work she and her team do has a lasting impact on the lives of the students and communities they serve.

Fostering Student Growth

What has impacted Mayra the most is witnessing the growth her students make—not only academically, but also in their behavior, confidence, and decision-making. Mayra can see firsthand as students develop positive behavioral choices and overcome challenges.


“Celebrating their success is a true blessing,” Mayra states. Student success serves as a constant reminder of why she chose to work in education. Knowing that she has played a small part in their growth and success is one of the most meaningful aspects of her career. While it is great to celebrate success, Mayra also knows that mistakes are a part of the process. She reinforces the notion that mistakes are okay to make and are a natural part of growing.

Fostering student growth is hugely supported by building a strong sense of community. Mayra hopes students know they are part of a larger community that will always care about them, believe in their potential, and are willing to guide and support them. Creating an uplifting environment lets students know they are valued and deserve success, no matter what obstacles they may face.

Turning Advice into Actions

The best advice Mayra has ever received was to always do everything from the bottom of your heart and to never be afraid to ask for advice or utilize the resources available to you. No one has all the answers, and seeking guidance is a sign of growth, not weakness.

The more we learn from others and make use of the resources around us, the better equipped we are to support those who rely on us. Whether it is helping a student, family, or colleague, meaningful support comes from working together, continuously learning, and leading with compassion and sincerity.

This mindset has set Mayra’s goals for the new school year. She wants to continue building on the strong foundation they have created at her site. A huge accomplishment for Mayra is that her site has retained all 17 of their staff members for approximately two years. That level of consistency has had a tremendous impact on their program, allowing them to continuously improve the program quality and create a positive culture where both staff and students feel supported. Mayra believes investing in your team directly translates into better outcomes for the students they serve, and she looks forward to continuing that growth for years to come.

Beyond the Role

Mayra loves spending time with her dog, Lulu, as well as her family and friends. She enjoys new hobbies and experiences that allow her to learn and grow as a person. To Mayra, personal growth is a lifelong journey, and she loves any opportunity to become a better version of herself. Maintaining a healthy balance between her personal and professional life helps her bring a fresh perspective to the work she does every day.

The summer sun beams down on Angel Stadium as thousands of fans fill the stands cheering you on, and the jumbotron lights up with your face. The challenge is simple yet a bit daunting: steal third base before time runs out. For eighth grade student David from Baldwin Park Unified School District, it’s a special moment where confidence sprouted and lasting memories were created.

“My experience at the Angel game was scary at first because I was overthinking a lot, but after a while I relaxed a bit and cleared my mind. Once I got on the field, I was so happy to be there,” said David. “It was my first time being on the big screen and having a whole crowd in a stadium cheer for me. So, it was nice!”

At every Angels home game, one young fan is selected to “Steal Third,” racing to uproot third base and return it within 30 seconds. If successful, they keep the base and pose for a photo with their favorite Angels player.

This summer, it was David’s chance to step onto the Angel Stadium field and make his mark in front of thousands in the stands. Hand-picked from the 1,176 students across 12 Baldwin Park Unified school sites Think Together served this year with summer programming; he proudly represented both his afterschool program and school district.

While the excitement of stealing third this summer base was thrilling, David says his favorite part of the experience came afterward. Seeing the Angel players cheering him on from the sidelines made the moment feel even more memorable, and getting the chance to meet one of the players inside the official team locker room was an experience he never imagined having.

David’s Think Together Site Program Manager Cassandra Gonzalez was the one who selected David to “Steal Third” at the Angel’s game and believes he was the perfect fit for this experience.

“We chose David to steal third base for the Think Summer field trip because he is a great student who is dedicated to his schoolwork,” said Cassandra. “He is very charismatic and is always there to help those in need.”

David has been a Think Together student since early elementary school, so he has truly left his mark within his Think Together community. His time within the program is coming to an end this summer, as he prepares to begin his high school journey in the upcoming school year.

“Even though I’m sad to end my time with Think Together as a student, I want to come back as a volunteer at my elementary school to see my old program leaders and help them out,” said David. “My elementary school Think Together program really was a special place because they showed me kindness, happiness, love, and also taught me to be the best I could be.”

David’s story reflects the kinds of experiences thousands of students enjoyed through Think Summer. This year, Think Together served over 23,000 students at more than 200 school sites across California, providing enriching experiences that encouraged learning, connection, and personal growth. Every learning experience reflected our shared commitment to helping students thrive, both in and beyond the classroom.

David’s unforgettable day at Angel Stadium is just one example of the meaningful summer experiences that help students build confidence, discover new possibilities, and create memories that last.

Alongside school district partners, Think Together is proud to make experiences like David’s possible that inspire students to dream bigger and help students discover new possibilities and change the odds for their future.

For a group of Think Together students, World Cup 2026 was more than a game. It was a chance to step onto the field, walk alongside professional athletes and be part of a moment they will never forget.

Through Think Together’s Sports Accelerator partnership with Street Soccer USA, students from Rio Vista Elementary School and South Ranchito Dual Language Academy in El Rancho Unified School District participated as player mascots during three World Cup 2026 matches: USA v. Paraguay on June 12, New Zealand v. Iran on June 15 and Belgium v. Iran on June 21. As mascots, students helped welcome players onto the field before kickoff and experienced the energy of the game up close.

“My experience at the FIFA World Cup was amazing because I got to walk out with one of the players,” Ryan said. “My favorite moment was when the team scored and the crowd went wild. It was so loud.”

The World Cup experience was provided at no cost to students and families, helping remove barriers to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. For students, those moments of access matter. They create space to try something new, build confidence and feel part of a team.

The opportunity built on a growing partnership between Think Together and Street Soccer USA, which has brought engaging soccer programming to students across Southern California since 2024. Earlier this year, about 90 Think Together students from Paramount, El Rancho, Bellflower and Bassett school districts participated in Street Soccer USA’s LA Cup in downtown Los Angeles at LA LIVE. Think Together and Street Soccer USA also collaborated alongside Paramount Unified School District, Visa, and Bank of America to celebrate the grand opening of a brand-new Visa Street Soccer Park and learning center at Hollydale Park in South Gate. Students from the neighboring school, Hollydale Elementary in Paramount Unified, were invited to join the celebration and were among the first to step onto the fresh turf.

Through the Sports Enrichment Accelerator, an innovative initiative aimed at building the capacity of other local community-based organizations, Think Together connects students to opportunities that support physical activity, teamwork, confidence, social emotional learning, and leadership. Experiences like this remind students that they belong in big moments and can be part of something bigger than themselves.

“Think Together’s mission is to partner with schools to change the odds for kids, and we are committed to working with organizations like Street Soccer USA, as they continue to allow us to meet our mission while bringing immersive experiences to our students which expand their horizons,” said Jaclyn Aviles, Senior Strategist and leader of the enrichment accelerator initiative for Think Together.

Think Together is grateful to Street Soccer USA for making this opportunity possible. Together with partners like Street Soccer USA, Think Together is helping change the odds for kids, one goal at a time.

Read more about Think Together’s unique enrichment accelerator offerings.

From basketball courts to the classroom, Cydrena Bonner has taken her role as Site Program Manager for the High Desert region to the next level. She makes a point to lead with love as her school serves the most students in her region while still balancing program quality.

Read more about Cydrena’s journey below.

Cydrena’s Think Journey

Cydrena was coaching a basketball team when she first saw Think Together in action and was immediately drawn to the program. Watching the positive impact, it had on students made her want to be part of something bigger than herself. She thought she was just checking out an after-school program, but it ended up becoming a career and a passion. Looking back, she’s glad she took that shot.

Collectively, she’s been with Think Together for about 10 years. Cydrena’s journey has been filled with both incredible opportunities and personal challenges. Think Together is a family business at this point! Cydrena’s mom was also a Think Together Program Leader. Unfortunately, when her mom experienced a health challenge, Cydrena had to step away from her job to provide care until one of her siblings was able to help. That support allowed her to return to Think Together, where she’s been able to continue doing the work that truly fills her heart!

The Impact

Being a Site Program Manager is much more than a title. More than anything, Cydrena hopes every student leaves knowing that someone genuinely loves them, believes in them, and cares about who they are. If they ever wonder whether they matter, she hopes they remember that they mattered to her. The goal is for every child to walk away feeling confident, supported, and knowing they always had someone in their corner—and for many of them, that person is Cydrena Bonner.

Every student she has had the privilege of working with at Mojave Vista has left a lasting impression on her. Many of her students overcome challenges every single day, and being able to provide them with love, encouragement, and a safe place to be themselves is something she will always cherish. Every school year brings new faces, but the mission stays the same: make every child feel seen, valued, and loved. Those memories never fade.

Cydrena’s mindset of leading with love and kindness is actually a learned trait. She credits her mother with the best advice she’s ever received: “Love first.” Those two simple words have shaped the way she leads, teaches, and builds relationships every day. She strives to model that mindset with her staff, knowing they’ll pass it on to students, creating a ripple effect of kindness and compassion. Cydrena is in awe of what can happen when love leads the way.

Beyond the Role

Summer is in full effect for Cydrena! If it involves packing a bag and going somewhere new, count her in. She loves traveling and making memories with family and friends. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a big adventure, she is always ready for the next trip. To her, summer is all about exploring, relaxing, and enjoying the journey.

Outside of work, she enjoys reading, singing, dancing, and spending quality time with her family. Those moments help her recharge and remind her to find joy in the little things. Fair warning though—if her favorite song comes on; there’s a good chance you’ll catch her singing and dancing like nobody’s watching!

With over 200,000 Think Together students across California, it takes a village to ensure each student is provided with the essential tools to grow into the best version of themselves. With the help of our corporate partners, Think Together can provide well-rounded experiences, allowing students to expand their knowledge in the classroom and prepare for life beyond the school bell. 

Safer Roads Begin with Safer Drivers 

As students prepare for life after high school, Think Together is doing more than helping them get ready for college and careers. Through a partnership with State Farm, high school students can take a free driver’s education course through State Farm’s DriveSafe program, bringing the rules of the road directly into the classroom.  

For Samantha, a Think Together student at Dwight D. Eisenhower High School, this course has provided the knowledge needed to approach the road with confidence.  

“I knew the basics when it comes to cars, but this course helped me gain more insight into cars,” said Samantha. “I also got to learn a lot about being a safe driver.”  

State Farm focuses on safety for all drivers “From Car Seat to Driver’s Seat™”. By equipping students with practical knowledge and safety skills, the program helps prepare them for an important milestone while encouraging responsible decision-making behind the wheel. 

Bringing Communities Together with PNC 

There was no shortage of smiles, laughter and community spirit at Carl Thornton Park. With the support of the PNC Foundation, Think Together families and Orange County locals were able to access essential resources, product boxes and diapers while also enjoying games and free food at the park.  

To extend that impact, PNC also participated in Think Together’s Little Hands, Strong Families, Big Futures event, which brought together more than 100 attendees, including Think Together students and their families. Ahead of the event, PNC volunteers assembled 270 learning kits, which were then distributed to families to take home and enjoy.  

For more than 20 years, the PNC Foundation, through its signature philanthropic initiative PNC Grow Up Great®, has collaborated with community-based nonprofits like Think Together to help children develop a lifelong love of learning. By connecting families and educators to high-quality early education resources, this support helps ensure student success. Events like this strengthen communities by providing access to valuable services and learning opportunities. PNC also provides free, engaging bilingual early learning resources for families and educators at pncgrowupgreat.com 

“The support from partners like State Farm and PNC has been transformational for our students,” said Senior Director of Corporate Foundation Relations Lawrence Gustafson. “Whether they’re preparing students for life after high school, expanding access to technology or strengthening local communities, our corporate partners are helping create opportunities that empower young people to reach their full potential.”  

Think Together’s corporate partners play a vital role in expanding the opportunities for success for our students by creating experiences that inspire learning. Together, we are ensuring that more students have the support they need to thrive in school, in their communities and beyond.

As Think Together continues to expand its impact across California, its partnership with Rio School District marks an important milestone; bringing high-quality expanded learning opportunities to the Central Coast and serving more than 1,000 TK-8 students across seven school sites while establishing a strong foundation for long-term partnership.

For Think Together Associate Director of Program Excellence Thania Vela, community trust has been central to the partnership’s success.  

Since launching at the beginning of last school year in Rio, Think Together has focused on building strong relationships with students, families, and district leaders while delivering engaging academic and enrichment experiences that support the whole child.

Recognizing that Think Together was new to the area, Thania and her team prioritized family engagement from the start, creating events across multiple school sites where families could connect with staff, explore program offerings, and learn about resources available to support their students throughout the school year.

“Starting from the ground up in a new community was both exciting and challenging, but we remained focused on building trust with families and creating engaging experiences for students. The success we’ve seen is a testament to the dedication of our team and our partnership with Rio,” said Thania. “It truly takes a village, and together, we’re making a meaningful difference in the lives of students while continuing to build something special for this community.”

Those efforts have translated into strong community support. According to a Think Together family survey, 95% of Rio families value the support provided through the program, and 96% said they would recommend Think Together to other families.

“I enjoy that Think Together is a safe environment for my daughter to complete her homework, socialize with friends, and release some of her energy outdoors while her dad and I are at work,” said a Think Together parent from Rio Del Mar Elementary School.

Through expanded learning programs, students strengthen literacy and STEM skills, build social-emotional comprehension, support their physical well-being, and participate in experiences that foster both academic and personal growth.

Beyond academic support, students across all seven school sites also have access to Think Together’s enrichment accelerator initiative, which offers opportunities in music, dance, sports, cultural enrichment, coding, theater, and more. These experiences help students discover new interests, build confidence, and develop skills that extend beyond the classroom.

For many Rio students, Think Together has become more than an after-school program; it is a supportive environment where they feel encouraged academically, socially, and emotionally.

“Partnerships like these reflect our shared commitment to ensuring young people have access to opportunities that help them become the very best version of themselves,” said Think Together Director of District Partnerships Katy Wallace. “By working alongside Rio School District, we are bringing meaningful learning experiences directly to students and families, empowering them to thrive beyond belief.”

The Rio partnership is part of Think Together’s broader growth across California, including new partnerships with districts such as Santa Maria-Bonita, Visalia, Vacaville, Elk Grove, and Fairfield-Suisun.

Looking ahead, Think Together and Rio School District will expand opportunities even further through Think Summer, providing students with hands-on enrichment experiences during the break. Together, we’ll also launch a jump-start program for incoming TK and kindergarten students, helping the district’s youngest learners begin their educational journey with confidence.

As the partnership continues to grow, Rio School District demonstrates what’s possible when schools, families, and community organizations work together to expand opportunities for students.

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