Think Together Adds Dave Cummings to Executive Leadership Team As Chief Digital Officer Amid Transformational Organizational Growth 

Think Together will strengthen leadership and technology capabilities, driving efforts to close the opportunity gap to more than 200,000 California students through expanded learning and school improvement programs.  

Santa Ana, Calif. (Nov. 17, 2023) – Think Together, California’s leading nonprofit provider of school improvement, expanded learning and afterschool programs, announced the appointment of Dave Cummings as Chief Digital Officer (CDO). This new CDO position for Think Together will define, socialize and implement a technology vision for the organization, in order to drive their mission and goals towards education equity in California.    

“The addition of Dave in the CDO role represents a significant step forward in our ability to deploy technology and scale our operations more efficiently,” said Randy Barth, founder and CEO of Think Together. “With his extensive experience in digital and an innovative mindset, he will be instrumental in guiding the organization as it explores the implementation of emerging technologies.” 

Cummings brings more than 30 years of expertise and leadership to Think Together, including international experience in large scale corporations and a track record of driving technology and digitally-led strategic transformation. He also lent his time and talent as an independent director on company boards, including large publicly listed companies, technology startups, and nonprofit organizations, where he provided guidance and mentoring on technology-related matters.  

“As I retired from corporate life, I knew I still had a lot to offer and wanted to seek something where I could make a difference,” shared Cummings. “I was drawn to Think Together because I’m passionate about dealing with inequities and hold a deep personal alignment with the mission, goals and values of this organization. I want to help our organization scale and develop processes that make us more impactful with our school partners.” 

Think Together is in the midst of a multi-year growth cycle. In fiscal year 2023, the nonprofit grew by more than 70%. Since fiscal year 2021, the organization has tripled in size. With this sustained growth, Think Together continues to recruit purpose-driven talent and has since scaled its workforce to more than 4,000 full- and part-time staff members serving in school site and administrative roles. 

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About Think Together 

For over 25 years Think Together has partnered 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.  

Edward Nobles makes learning and growth his number one priority when it comes to being a site coordinator at Magnolia Science Academy 2 Middle School. He continues to think of new ways to improve program quality, culture and student attendance. We are excited to give you the opportunity to learn more about Edward! 
What is your Think Together “why?” What inspired you to work at Think Together and what continues to inspire your work here?

The freedom to be creative is the reason I work at Think Together. I really enjoy working in an afterschool setting. It also provides me with the opportunity to grow professionally as a manager, which makes me love it even more. 

We are past the halfway point of the semester, what do you hope to accomplish by the end of it?

My biggest goal is to boost enrollment across all programs, starting with 100% school enrollment. I am working to have at least 25 families in attendance at one of our events. In December, we are hosting our exciting Magnolia Science Academy 2 sports tournament, and I am collaborating with my team to have 40 students participate. All of my goals center around getting students and parents more involved in our Think Together community.

Gratitude is a popular word this time of year, what are you most thankful for in your career? 

I am most thankful for this opportunity at Think Together. I have the freedom to manage a big team and think creatively. I am developing skills I will be able to take with me throughout my career and in my personal life. In my work, the failures and successes give me the ability to identify how I can evolve to make myself a better manager, collaborator, and role model for students.

What is the best piece of advice you have received that you like to share with others? 

A piece of advice I would give to others is to always take accountability and support your team. We succeed together and we fail together. As a manager, I take full responsibility for my team so when a mistake is made, I treat it as an opportunity for us to learn and grow.

Running a program is not a small feat, is there a mantra or affirmation that keeps you going throughout your day?

Make it a great day!

What experiences are you looking forward to in the next semester? 

Our team is always looking for new ways to excite kids with learning. We are looking forward to creating new workshops and field trips centered around design for all our art lovers. We hope to take a tour of the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory to see how our STEM lessons come to life and to create memories for the students.

Outside of work, what do you do for fun?  

I enjoy going to new restaurants, to the beach, and watching new movies!

Program expanding to four Inland Empire high schools in Perris, Rialto and Desert Hot Springs, bringing hands-on occupational learning and access to career pathways to 400 students  

Riverside, Calif. (Nov., 2, 2023) Think Together, California’s leading nonprofit provider of afterschool, expanded learning and school improvement programs, is proud to announce it has been awarded a $20,000 grant from Bank of America to provide skills-based workshops, career trainings and paid internships for up to 400 students in the Inland Empire. 

Through its longstanding work with Bank of America, Think Together has provided comprehensive Workforce Readiness and Employment Program (WREP) services for juniors and seniors (ages 16-19) at Perris High School and Heritage High School in Perris, and Eisenhower High School in Rialto. Additional funding from Bank of America for this programing allows Think Together to add Desert Hot Springs High School in the Palm Springs Unified School District as a WREP program provider for the first time under this collaboration. 

“At Think Together, we believe in empowering students to reach their full potential by preparing them for high-skill, high-wage employment,” said Randy Barth, Founder and CEO of Think Together. “With the support of Bank of America, we are thrilled to expand our Workforce Readiness and Employment Program to more Inland Empire students, equipping them with the skills and confidence they need to succeed in their future careers.”

Each school will have the capacity to enroll up to 100 students per high school in Think Together’s WREP program. Students will learn essential job skills like resume building, interview preparation, and workplace conduct. Mock online applications will be facilitated by Think Together’s human capital team, mirroring a real-world employment process. Targeted workshops led by Think Together will provide students with practical training, similar to new employee onboarding.

After four weeks of training, interns will transition into a 10-week paid employment period, committing to two days per week for two-hour shifts. On-campus intern oversight will be managed by Think Together Program Leaders, refining their student engagement and soft skills. Off-campus placements, supervised by site managers and Think WREP Lead, will involve mid-point and end-of-internship assessments, informed by community partner input.

In addition to their paid employment stipend, students receive bus passes, if needed, and program incentives. A Financial Literacy component is also required as part of the program to ensure that student participants are prepared to manage their paychecks responsibly, along with budgeting, credit and savings skills.  After completing Financial Literacy training, interns will receive a program completion award.

“Our collaboration with Think Together is one way Bank of America helps provide access to on-the-job skills training, which is critical for the next generation workforce to be successful,” said Bansree Parikh, president, Bank of America Inland Empire. “We’re excited to support this unique program expanding to more high schools in the region.” 

For more than 20 years, the partnership with Bank of America has enabled Think Together to deliver impactful programs that prepare students for success in higher education and future careers. In addition to funding, Bank of America has been an integral partner, helping to host the annual Inland Empire Workforce Summit alongside Think Together and the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce. Throughout the pandemic, the bank also stepped up to provide PPE for Think Together staff, students and families. 

Students currently enrolled with Think Together’s programs at Perris High School and Heritage High School in Perris, Eisenhower High School in Rialto and Desert Hot Springs High School in the Coachella Valley can reach out to their older youth leader for more information. Business leaders looking to get involved with Think Together and its WREP programs can visit: www.thinktogether.org/get-involved. 

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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.

Virtual event shines with expanded learning champions Senator U.S. Alex Padilla and U.S. Congresswoman Katie Porter, alongside heartwarming testimonials from Think Together parents, staff, and students. 

Santa Ana, Calif. (October 26, 2023) – Think Together, California’s leading nonprofit provider of afterschool, expanded learning and school improvement programs, held its annual Lights On Afterschool virtual event on its YouTube channel on Thursday, Oct. 26. The event themed, Celebrating Bright Futures Ahead, marks the third year Think Together has hosted a virtual statewide celebration.  

The broadcast featured highlights from Think Together’s expanded learning, afterschool and summer programs, as well as impactful testimonials from students, parents, staff and top legislators such as: 

  • U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D)  
  • U.S Congresswoman Katie Porter (D) Irvine 
  • Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D) San Diego 
  • State Senator Dave Min (D) Orange 
  • State Senator John Laird (D) San Luis Obispo  
  • State Senator Anthony Portantino (D) Pasadena 
  • State Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R) Yucaipa 
  • State Senator Dave Cortese (D) San Jose 

In addition to the virtual broadcast, Think Together hosted over 400 school site celebrations across the state in collaboration with schools that have benefited from increased state and federal investments including the formative Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) grants. Celebrations ranged from harvest festivals to STEAM demonstrations, art walks to read-aloud events.  

“ELO-P continues to act as a catalyst for innovation and creativity, allowing educators to experiment with new ideas that engage students in exciting ways,” said Think Together Founder and CEO Randy Barth. “As we look to the future, it’s crucial to recognize that sustaining and expanding the impact of the Expanded Learning Opportunity Programs requires ongoing advocacy and support from all stakeholders.”  

After the devastating effects of the pandemic on children and families, Gov. Gavin Newsom and legislators championed the ELO-P to help support students most impacted by the pandemic. This increased the state investment from roughly $800 million per year to $4.8 billion per year and has accounted for $2,750 more per student toward universal access to expanded learning programs.  

Programs like Think Together provide roughly an additional 540 hours of academic support and enrichment to students annually, in the hours after the school day and during seasonal breaks. Over 900,000 California children rely on afterschool programs for academic support and a secure place to be until their parents can pick them up; Think Together alone supports close to 200,000 of that number.  

“By working together, we can build a brighter and more equitable future for generations to come,” added Barth. “As champions of expanded learning, we can shape legislation and ensure every child is given the same chance in their pursuit of knowledge and personal growth.”  

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 

School is back in full swing this fall, as our generous donors provide literacy and curriculum support for programs in our Bay Area, Los Angeles and Orange County areas.

Think Together thanks our corporate and foundation partners for continuing to enhance the experiences of Think Together students. Here are just a few of the recent donors that have awarded us grants to support our literacy programs!

Cisco Systems, Inc. has generously donated $50,000 to support Think Together’s TK-2 grade students in Alum Rock Unified School District with their literacy and numeracy skills development. Think Together is implementing Systematic Instruction in Phonological Awareness, Phonics and Sight Words program, or SIPPS into Kinder Academies in the Bay Area and throughout our program reach.

The Applied Materials Foundation also awarded Think Together $25,000 to support our literacy programs in the Bay Area. Both Applied Materials Foundation and Cisco are new partners for our students in TK to 2nd grades, and we are grateful for their help in giving students an early head start in literacy skills.

To round out our partners supporting our expanded learning programs in the Bay Area, our longstanding partner, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation awarded Think Together $150,000 for over two years for our programs in Santa Clara County. With this partnership, we are providing high-impact and culturally relevant expanded learning programming to help youth find their purpose, passion, and pathway to a thriving future.

Think Together Bay Area General Manager, Richard Tran, leads early learning and literacy programs for 4,000 students in Alum Rock Union, Newark Unified, Oak Grove and San Jose unified school districts.

Richard shared “The importance of providing a safe space for students to learn to read and write cannot be understated. Literacy is the foundation of learning. Literacy unlocks so much for our students; it helps expand their imagination and strengthens their academic self-concept.”

PNC Bank has presented Think Together $25,000 for literacy development programs for the Orange County region. This program includes parent engagement and staff training to help Think Together’s youngest learners get a head start on reading and literacy.

“Literacy is important to the full development of our youth that we serve,” shared Orange County General Manager Eddie Garcia. “This grant will help Think Together achieve higher literacy rates and improve skills of future generations in the Orange County region to be successful professionals and positively contribute to their community.”

Lastly, the Green Foundation awarded Think Together $40,000 to provide staff development and program curricula to serve over 5,000 middle school youth in Los Angeles County with a focus on STEM, Socio-Emotional Learning, and College and Career Readiness.

Think Together expresses its deepest gratitude to our partners that go above and beyond to give students educational and meaningful experiences. If you are interested in partnering with Think Together, please email [email protected]

From volunteer to site coordinator, Bryan Briceno has impacted students and communities at Think Together for six years. Today, Bryan uses his experience and passion as site coordinator at Rancho Cucamonga Middle School (RCMS) to create a safe environment for students to learn and grow. As a Thinker, he implemented new student programs that encourage student academics for current, returning, and new students. He also collaborates with his team of program leaders to create a welcoming place for students’ families at the RCMS afterschool program. We are excited to give you the opportunity to learn more about Bryan!  
What inspired you to work at Think Together and what continues to inspire your work here? 

I started off as a Think Together volunteer in high school for the Ontario-Montclair School District which led me to my role as a program leader and now a site coordinator. In my work, I have the opportunity to foster a safe space for students. This is what drives my work in the organization.  

Is there a student story that connects you to your “why”?    

My own family benefitted from Think Together! My younger sister had the opportunity to be in the Think Together afterschool program at her school while my parents were at work. As a Think Together volunteer, I was also given the opportunity to develop professionally in high school and give back to my community through students I interacted with daily.

How do you feel that Think Together is benefiting your community?  

Our community at RCMS supports our working families. The Think Together afterschool program allows families to be at ease, knowing that their student is in a favorable environment while they are at work. In addition, when students enroll in the Think Together program, they can easily take advantage of the extracurricular activities that the school offers after school.

What has been the most impactful element of program design or a special event that has positively changed your program? 

End-of-the-year events at RCMS are very impactful to students and the program. At the end of the last school year, the Think Together team hosted an end-of-year celebration where students were able to bring friends. The newcomers experienced the activities we host every day at Think Together, which sparked interest in them to participate this year. These events supported the increase in our enrollment applications for this year.  

You and your team serve a large number of students at Rancho Cucamonga Middle School. What characteristics of your team ensure a smooth and engaging program every day for students? 

RCMS has been fortunate to have a team full of Thinkers with positive mindsets and who are present for the students and families. In addition, some of the program leaders are current employees of the school district, which further strengthens our positive relationship with our school partners.  

What are the professional goals you are hoping to accomplish this year?  

One of my professional goals is to become more involved with the school day administrative team by joining more meetings and committees. I am hoping that by elevating our collaboration, we can gain more tools and resources to support our students and families at RCMS.  

Outside of work, what do you do for fun?  

For the past four years, I have enjoyed running a small balloon decorating business. This has helped to further enhance my creative skills and I get to collaborate with other small businesses. I also enjoy taking small vacations whenever possible or attending live shows.  

September marked the culmination of Think Together’s month-long work with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation to support LA Reads, their literacy program with engaging and educational resources that make reading fun for everyone.

In partnership with Compton Unified and Lynwood Unified School Districts, nearly 150 second-grade students across four schools participated in readings by Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, former pitcher Dennis Powell and former outfielder Al Ferrara.

“We’re incredibly thankful for our longstanding partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, which continues to provide enriching experiences for our students,” shared Randy Barth, founder and CEO of Think Together. “When organizations join forces like this for our youth, it truly underscores the presence of caring individuals in their lives and creates memories that will last a lifetime.”

Think Together serves up to 5,500 students in Compton Unified and up to 3,000 students in Lynwood Unified with afterschool and expanded learning programs. These students receive enriched programmatic experiences, in addition to core academic afterschool programing, thanks to partnerships like the one with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.

Think Together and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation have partnered since 2015 to provide students with increased access to literacy programs, Coding for All initiatives, college and career readiness and social emotional learning. In 2023, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation awarded Think Together a $20,000 grant to create trainings for Think Together’s middle school program leaders around social emotional learning and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs.

“LA Reads is making significant strides in tackling the literacy crisis in Los Angeles, and we are optimistic that through these community events, reading will become more engaging and synonymous with success for underserved youth,” said Nichol Whiteman, CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.

Students of Compton Unified and Lynwood Unified School districts had the opportunity to have Los Angeles Dodgers players and alumni read to them as part of LA Reads, an initiative to promote a lifelong love of reading.

Los Angeles, Calif. (Sept. 22, 2023) – Today marked the culmination of Think Together’s month-long work with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation to support LA Reads, their literacy program with engaging programs and educational resources that make reading fun for everyone. In partnership with Compton Unified and Lynwood Unified School Districts, nearly 150 second-grade students across four schools participated in readings by Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, former pitcher Dennis Powell and former outfielder Al Ferrara.

“We’re incredibly thankful for our longstanding partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, which continues to provide enriching experiences for our students,” shared Randy Barth, founder and CEO of Think Together. “When organizations join forces like this for our youth, it truly underscores the presence of caring individuals in their lives and creates memories that will last a lifetime.”

Think Together serves more than 5,500 students in Compton Unified and up to 3,000 students in Lynwood Unified with afterschool and expanded learning programs. These students receive enriched programmatic experiences, in addition to core academic afterschool programing, thanks to partnerships like the one with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.

Think Together and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation have partnered since 2015 to provide students with increased access to literacy programs, Coding for All initiatives, college and career readiness and social emotional learning. In 2023, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation awarded Think Together a $20,000 grant to create trainings for Think Together’s middle school program leaders around social emotional learning and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs.

“LA Reads is making significant strides in tackling the literacy crisis in Los Angeles, and we are optimistic that through these community events, reading will become more engaging and synonymous with success for underserved youth,” said Nichol Whiteman, CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.

To learn more about Think Together, visit www.thinktogether.org.

To learn more about the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, visit:

www.Dodgers.com/LADF.

To learn more about Compton Unified School District, visit:

https://www.compton.k12.ca.us/

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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.

Lesley Martin, a dedicated member of Think Together, has received a nomination for the 2023 Leaders of Influence: Nonprofit & Philanthropy by the Los Angeles Business Journal. This award is given to trailblazing individuals who have pioneered the path in showcasing the importance of creating powerful partnerships – and constructed strategies that address the diverse needs of the community.

Upon learning of her nomination, Lesley expressed a deep sense of humility and appreciation. “I feel humbled and deeply appreciative of this nomination,” she shared. “I was completely surprised to hear the news and I am grateful to the Los Angeles Business Journal and all involved in the nomination.”

Lesley’s journey with Think Together began in 2009 when she joined as a program leader within Ontario Montclair Unified School District. Demonstrating exceptional dedication and drive, she quickly advanced to the role of site coordinator with the Covina-Valley Unified School District. After her time in the Inland Empire, Lesley moved onto Think Together’s Southeast Los Angeles region. There she assumed roles such as Quality Assurance Coach, Director of Program Operations and currently serves as General Manager.

Lesley and her team at Compton High School being recognized for their hard work.

Lesley is a prime example of how every leader within Think Together can grow within the organization. “The best part of the leadership journey from program leader to general manager is the ability to expand reach from a single classroom to a whole community of students and families,” Lesley shared. “This is why I encourage all leaders to find and embrace their purpose and use it to light a path for others.”

Think Together takes immense pride in having dedicated staff members like Lesley on its team. Her unwavering commitment and hard work are why the Los Angeles Business Journal describe her as someone that is, “passionate about the social and emotional well-being of the students, staff, and communities she serves.”  

Lesley’s nomination serves as a reminder to all of us at Think Together that an individual’s dedication, passion and willingness to collaborate can truly transform lives and communities. The entire Think Together community is eager to see how Lesley will continue to change the odds for kids and the rest of her community.

Meet forever learner, Loree Propheter. Loree has been with Think Together for 16 years and currently serves as a quality assurance coach in the San Gabriel Valley region. In her region and across Think Together, she is known for staying positive through change, being a team player, and often going above and beyond to provide support. Although she is considered a “veteran”, Loree is always open to learning new things and adapting to be the best leader she can be. We are excited to give you the opportunity to learn more about Loree! 
What is your Think Together “why?” 

My “why” has always been the students. I grew up in an era when there weren’t any afterschool programs. Growing up, I observed many of my peers engage in not-so-healthy choices. I feel that if they had been given access to outlets like Think Together in after school hours, their outcomes may have been different. 

 What is one thing you are proud of your team accomplishing this school year?  

My team of amazing site coordinators creates opportunities for students year-round! My team has hosted middle school dances, facilitated field trips for our high school students, and led exciting fun Friday activities. Parents and students echo their appreciation for the Think Together program daily. 

Is there a student story that has stuck with you? 

When I was a substitute program leader at Torch Middle School, there was a group of young ladies that loved the program. They even dressed as program leaders for Halloween. Years later I was working as a site coordinator in Baldwin Park when I received a call from our staffing team. One of those students had applied to work for Think Together! When asked her reason for applying, she said it was because she loved being in the program as a student and the staff she interacted with. It was such a full-circle moment that has stayed with me over the years! 

What part of your weekly work routine gives you the most joy right now? 

My favorite part of the week is visiting our programs and seeing the hard work, systems, routines, and student engagement in action! When I go onto a school site, I am reminded of the true impact we have on the students, parents, and community. 

What advice would you give yourself when you started with Think Together 16 years ago? 

To enjoy the little moments and to highlight them in your memory. I would tell myself that these moments will get you through the harder days. 

What are the professional goals you are hoping to accomplish in 2023? 

Perfecting my craft! I am a forever learner and love growing in my leadership capacity. 

Outside of work, what do you do for fun?  

Enjoying time with family and friends. 

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