Think Together, Author at Think Together

The sun was out, and the weather was perfect at the Whittier Narrows Golf Course, as Think Together students had the unique opportunity to learn the game of golf. Eighteen Think Together middle school students from the Bassett Unified School District and South Whitter School District participated in a golf clinic thanks to the SCGA Junior Golf Foundation and the LA84 Foundation on Saturday, April 15.

Through sustainable grants from the LA84 Foundation, Think Together has expanded sports to every middle school program across Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, giving more than 7,000 students at 88 schools the opportunity to engage in sports.

To start the clinic, students gathered in a circle for an icebreaker with their golf instructors for the day. Students were introduced to the fundamentals of golf, such as correct stance and how to hold a golf club. Next, students participated in the standard golf stretches and warmups to relax the muscles. Students were grouped evenly and took turns going to different stations where a golf coach would teach them one of the three main golfing techniques: driving, shipping, and putting.

On the driving range, students got firsthand instruction to practice their ‘fore’ from Andy, an SCGA Junior coach. Andy demonstrated the proper form and technique to hit the golf ball off a tee. The students watched in awe as Andy put his golf ball into the clouds with his professional swing.

While the students practiced their swing, Andy shared his hopes the new golfing students would learn from the experience, “I’m hoping they develop a lifelong love for the game because it’s not a very popular sport, for younger kids. But I’m hoping that they kind of understand a little bit more and are attracted to it.”

Before the event, Think Together student, Stephen shared how difficult golf will be for him on a scale of 1 to 10. “I would say a six, because like I never went golfing on a general golf course, and I don’t know the basics of golf.”

The students saw firsthand the challenges of hitting a ball correctly, but with guidance and help from the coaches, they were able to achieve a clean swing. Their faces lit up with excitement every time they swung and watched the ball fly. The students rose to the challenge making the reward worth the hard work.

The second skill that students learned with another coach was chipping. Students were managed by SCGA Junior coach Alexis. Here, she taught the students how to chip a golf ball and had them play a game of battlefield to test their newly found skill. The green was covered in groups of hula hoops in various colors that Alexis deemed as “battleships”. Students needed to successfully chip one golf ball into each hula hoop of the battleship to sink the battleship. The students carefully swung to find the perfect balance between speed and direction to chip their ball into a hula hoop.

Alexis shared, “Golf is fun, especially once you get the hang of it. It’s a very love-hate story where one day you’re on top of the world. The next day you are at the bottom, but when you’re on the top, it feels amazing and just knowing like, this is, fun. You can do this. And I belong here.”

As the students collected the balls from the green, Alexis expressed she would never have expected in middle school that she would one day be a golf instructor. As a former Think Together student, she had the opportunity to try a variety of sports like soccer, football, and volleyball. Alexis had the opportunity to try golfing outside of school and was thrilled to see that Think Together was able to offer this experience to the next generation.

The third and final technique that was practiced was putting. It was in this area that students were introduced to the putter, proper gripping form, and finally the putting stroke. Lastly, students put their new knowledge into practice with a friendly game of tic-tac-toe. Students would putt their balls into a different space on a tic-tac-toe grid and get three in a row to win.

The clinic concluded with lunch where the students shared their challenges and successes of the day. Reflecting on the day of golfing, seventh-grade student Arianna shared, “I never really thought of playing golf ever. And coming out here it was completely different. I was like, oh, it’s interesting. So, I tried.”

Think Together is grateful to the LA84 Foundation, SCGA Junior Foundation, and the Whittier Narrows Golf Course for giving kids the opportunity to try new things.

Adolescence is often remembered as a time of being an adventurous youth, but it’s also a time when young adults sharpen the skills and behaviors that they will take with them into adulthood.  

According to the World Health Organization, “One in seven, 10–19-year-olds experience mental health conditions,” meaning that 14% of adolescents are likely to have struggled with conditions like anxiety and depression.  

Mental health concerns post-pandemic, especially related to anxiety, depression, and isolation, have skyrocketed in youth who spent critical development years at home. Helping support students through social and emotional learning (SEL), trauma-informed care and sharing resources for additional support out of school can make a difference. It is crucial as a society that we equip young people with the right tools and skills to prioritize their emotional well-being and offer them a space to turn to if they need help. SEL helps students manage their emotions, create healthy behavior, and allows them to reach their goals, which is why making mental health a priority in learning is so important.  

Think Together has made it a priority to implement a range of social and emotional curriculum in our programs to make sure students feel supported and know they are never alone. 

A peek behind the curriculum curtain

Think Together is more than a place for academic support after school. It’s a safe space for kids and teens to feel a sense of belonging, while learning and exploring the world around them.  

For younger Think Together students, we utilize Mind-Up curriculum which focuses on being mindful instead of mind-full. These activities take students through a series of activities that utilize YouTube videos, group activities, and self-reflection in order to aid students in building emotional wellness. 

Every Monday Matters focuses on reminding teens how much they matter to their friends, community, and most importantly themselves. The main goal is to offer support to youth as they navigate their teen years and continue to grow in a safe environment like Think Together.  

These programs are implemented to keep adolescent mental health at the forefront of learning and be a safe harbor for students to turn to when they are struggling academically, physically, or mentally.  

Putting lessons into practice

Here are a few healthy ways to keep your mental wellness in check. 

Talk to a friend or parent: The human mind can be overwhelming which is why it can be cathartic to lean on friends, family, or a third party to work through your thoughts and ease your mind. 
Practice self-care: This can be taking care of your mind through mindfulness exercises. Self-care can also be going for a walk-in nature or dancing to your favorite song.  Focus on what will benefit your mind, body, and soul. 
Create a “Peace Area”: Find or create an area that is meant for rebuilding your mental stamina and decompressing. An area where you can do calming activities such as reading a book or listening to music and relax without outside distractions.  
Channel your energy into a different outlet: Find a way to put your energy into things that make you happy and offer an outlet to express yourself. This can be painting, writing, sports, or even an anime club that helps express your emotions, so it isn’t bottled up. 
Reset your routine: A routine can be the perfect kind of structure to help balance and organize life. Sometimes a routine can create a sense of normalcy and security. But if a routine is the cause of poor mental health, then switch it up to break away from a tedious and repetitious cycle. Figure out what works in your life and a balance will soon follow.

The mental health journey is often one you face alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health, reach out to these help hotlines below to get additional support.

HELP HOTLINES:

Mental Health Emergency Hotline: 988

National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI): 1-800-950-NAMI or text ‘HELPLINE’ to 62640

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK

Self-Harm Hotline: 1-800-366-8288

For five years, The Boeing Company and Think Together have changed the odds for kids by coming together to provide students with STEM programs. Because of their continued support for students, Think Together has awarded Boeing the “Champion of Change” award at our annual fundraising event, Raise A Hand. The award recognizes Boeing’s dedication to furthering students’ educational opportunities and inspiring them to seek careers in STEM.

Freshmen students, Ahmahd and Noemi who’ve been part of Think Together since middle school, are prime examples of what Boeing’s STEM programs do for students. Ahmahd and Noemi started a STEM focused club at their school- a Think Together Drone Club.

The club gives students the opportunity to code their own flight paths, flip and take photos with the drones. Students are able to learn many new skills that can be applied to their higher education and gives them a taste of what a career in a STEM related field might look like.

Ahmahd hopes to apply the skills he’s learned as leader of the Drone Club to strive for a career in filmmaking. He shares that he’s mastered strong hand-eye coordination, communication skills, and coding through the club.

Noemi hopes to pursue a STEM career and hopefully continue working with drones. She has a passion for building something with code and overcoming the obstacles that follow.

“I like when I have a problem that I’m working on and I have to think really hard about it. There’s a saying that says like, ‘the environment you’re in makes you the person you are,’” Noemi says. “This environment, I think, is very happy, and we’re all supportive of each other and the things that we do. So, I love to be in this environment.”

Think Together is grateful for The Boeing Company’s continued investments in our STEM programming.

Think Together CEO, Randy Barth, said “Boeing is a shining example of a company that truly cares about the education and well-being of our youth. Their dedication to creating opportunities for students to learn and grow is truly inspiring, and we are honored to recognize them as a Champion of Change awardee.”

Through Think Together’s Coding for All initiative, Boeing has allocated over $400,000 for STEM programming which supports visual and text-based code editing, rapid-prototyping, STEM career explorations, Invention Adventures activities, and Hack Clubs.

“We are honored to receive this award and proud to be recognized for our efforts to make a positive impact in the lives of young people,” said Cheri Carter, Vice President of Boeing Global Engagement. “We believe that education is the key to unlocking the potential of future generations, and we are committed to working with organizations like Think Together to ensure that all students have access to the resources they need to succeed.”

Boeing’s STEM investments impact Think Together students all throughout Los Angeles County and Orange County, serving 3,600 students annually across 46 schools.

Think Together partners with Boeing to provide STEM, coding and robotics programs to afterschool and expanded learning programs to more than 12,000 students in Los Angeles and Orange counties.

Santa Ana, Calif. (April 24, 2023) Think Together, California’s leading nonprofit provider of afterschool, expanded learning and school improvement programs, is proud to award The Boeing Company with its Champion of Change Award at the nonprofit’s annual fundraising event Raise A Hand For Education Benefit being held on April 21 at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana.

This award recognizes companies that have made significant contributions to the education and development of Think Together students. Over its five-year partnership with Think Together, Boeing has committed more than $500,000 for STEM programming and has recently expanded its reach to include students throughout Think Together’s Los Angeles and Orange County middle schools, totaling more than 12,000 students, across 46 elementary, middle and high schools.

Through Boeing’s grants, students are provided instruction in introductory coding, robotics, and logic through its Coding For All initiative and other expanded learning and enrichment curriculums. Programming supported by Coding For All includes visual and text-based code editing, rapid-prototyping, STEM career explorations, Invention Adventures activities, and Hack Clubs throughout Los Angeles county as well as Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, Alameda and Santa Clara counties.

Boeing has long been a leader in corporate social responsibility and has made a significant impact in the education of young people through their partnership with Think Together. The company’s dedication to providing resources, mentorship and hands-on learning opportunities has helped to improve educational outcomes and increase the number of students who are college and career ready.

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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.

About The Boeing Company

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing’s diverse team is committed to innovating for the future and living the company’s core values of safety, quality and integrity. Learn more at www.boeing.com.

Think Together is proud to name Azusa Unified School District (AUSD) as one of its Champion of Change award recipients.

In a reception that brought together district administrators, principals and Think Together leaders, Azusa Unified was recognized as a school district that fights for students’ academic and social growth, builds trust within the community, and continues to change the odds for kids.

Think Together has spent the last fifteen years working with AUSD to offer students transitional programs to aid their academic achievements. This includes supporting students through all stages of life, beginning with transitional kindergarten and continuing through elementary and middle school, and high school programs.

Just this past spring break, nearly 450 students in nine of the district’s elementary schools participated in full day expanded learning camps. Students in TK-6 grades participated in STEAM-focused lessons, giving them access to college and career pathways in the science and technology fields.

Alejandra Madrigal is a working mom of two daughters enrolled in Think Together. To the Madrigal family, the program is a place for the girls to broaden their social skills and reach new academic milestones.

“It’s so great to have caring people, caring for my family, my daughters, and it just makes me happy that I can go to work and feel safe that they are in a safe space,” shared Alejandra. “I’m just so extremely happy to have this program here with Azusa Unified.”

Thank you to Azusa Unified School District for your continued partnership, Think Together is proud to recognize you as a Champion of Change.

Think Together and Azusa Unified School District have partnered since 2007 serving up to 6,800 students across 15 schools including nine elementary schools, three middle schools, one K-8 and two high schools.

Santa Ana, Calif. (April 18, 2023) Think Together, California’s leading nonprofit provider of afterschool, expanded learning and school improvement programs, is proud to announce it has awarded Azusa Unified School District with its Champion of Change Award at the nonprofit’s annual fundraising eventRaise A Hand For Education Benefit.

This award recognizes school district partners that have made significant contributions to the education and development of Think Together students. Over its 15-year partnership with Think Together, Azusa Unified has worked with Think Together to offer students and families an array of expanded learning services from early learning to high school programs, academic support to athletics and beyond.

“We are proud to recognize Azusa Unified School District as our Champion of Change because of their exemplary focus on the needs of their students, both during the school day and outside of it,” said Randy Barth, founder and CEO of Think Together. “By placing their students front and center, they are ensuring that their academic success and personal growth are prioritized from an early age until long after they graduate.”

Azusa Unified offers expanded learning programs to each of its 6,800 students free of charge by tapping into a range of funding streams including, but not limited to, Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) grants. Think Together partners with districts like Azusa Unified to offer families a variety of programs that fit their unique needs.

“Think Together has been an instrumental partner in providing expanded learning opportunities to our students. We are grateful for their unwavering commitment to educational equity and access. This recognition is a testament to the collective effort of our school community and the work we do to support the academic success of our students,” said Azusa Unified School District Superintendent Arturo Ortega.

Think Together recognized Azusa Unified in a celebration on April 18. The event was held as one of several Raise A Hand For Education Benefit events this spring to support Think Together expanded learning programs across the state.

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About Think Together

Santa Ana, Calif. (April 14, 2023) Think Together, California’s leading nonprofit provider of afterschool, expanded learning and school improvement programs, is proud to announce it has launched the Think Together Arts Accelerator to widen the opportunity for students to engage in visual and performing arts curriculum and exploration.

The Arts Accelerator launched in collaboration with Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) for students enrolled at Fairhaven Elementary School in Orange Unified School District. The new program is being piloted at Fairhaven, with programs underway to serve 180 students across California Elementary School, Sycamore Elementary School and Esplanade Elementary School within Orange Unified as well.

“We are thrilled to work with Orange County School of the Arts to bring the best of both of our programs – arts and afterschool – to students who aren’t always exposed to this kind of learning,” said Randy Barth, founder and CEO of Think Together. “This collaboration allows us to expand our collective reach and provide students with the opportunity to explore and develop their artistic talents while receiving a quality education.”

The Arts Accelerator will offer afterschool programs in theatre, dance, visual arts, and music, where students will gain experience and exploration of various art forms, techniques, and performance opportunities. Students will learn foundational skills, vocabulary, and the importance of all roles involved in a visual and performing arts presentation.

By leveraging the expertise of OCSA’s decades of involvement in arts educational spaces alongside Think Together’s years of partnering with school districts to develop quality afterschool programs, the two organizations have come together to create a unique and dynamic arts educational experience for elementary school students. The new collaboration aims to bridge the need for specialized educators and the increased demand for arts and enrichment for students.

“This meaningful partnership with Think Together is a mission-aligned program for OCSA. We believe deeply in the power and value of a quality arts education for all students,” said Teren Shaffer, president and CEO of Orange County School of the Arts. “It is a privilege to collaborate with the visionary leaders at Think Together and within Orange Unified School District to increase access to the arts for deserving young students.”

Tucked into the school’s multipurpose room, the students are waiting in their colorful skirts, silently practicing their steps before their performance. For most of these students, this is the first time that they have had the opportunity to not only learn how to dance, but also perform in front of an audience. They filter out the door single file and catch their first glimpse of the crowd filled with family and friends. The moments before the music plays, the students hold an excited breath before the energetic melody fills the silence and their precise, coordinated steps they’ve been practicing for months take over.

Students have reached the culminating event after learning about ballet folklórico for the last 10 weeks. Lilia Muniz, OCSA Instructor for the past seven years, has been teaching students on the fundamentals of the dance style alongside the cultural significance of ballet folklórico.

“I have seen them grow so much over this short 10-week period. They’ve learned so quickly and, even though students don’t like to admit it, I think they’ve liked the structure,” Lilia shared.

Fifth-grader Gianna has participated in the folklórico program since day one and has enjoyed the experience. For Gianna, this is her first time performing outside of a couple cheerleading performances. This performance will be different, since she is going to perform for her dad who danced ballet folklórico when he was younger. When asked how dancing folklórico makes her feel she shared, “I like dancing because I can express a lot of emotions in tiny moves.”

Another fifth grader in the program, Kira, has been getting out of her comfort zone. She shared how she’s nervous to perform, but also excited to show how much she has learned. “I like it because I’m learning a bunch of new stuff, including new things about Mexico. I like learning the different types of footwork and the culture behind it. I’ve seen performances, but it’s a different experience learning to do the dances now myself.”

Both Kira and Gianna shared that even though Miss Lilia is strict, she’s strict in the best way because she has encouraged them to always try their best. Other students echoed the sentiment, and as much as they are excited for their performance, they don’t look forward to the end of their weekly lessons.

OCSA is well-known for the rigorous curriculum for students and pushing them to achieve their full potential. Lilia shared how teaching students in the community over a short period of time can be challenging, but it is so rewarding to see students grow their confidence. “I hope they feel proud about what they’ve learned, ballet folklórico is a beautiful dance culture and an art form that I am excited to see people embrace and appreciate.”

Think Together has documented the entire 10-week program, and Lilia hopes that you take away from the video below the joy it has been for her and the students to learn together.

Creating a Collaborative Experience

Think Together, in partnership with Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA), has launched our Arts Accelerator program which delivers engaging arts programming to students in grades K-6. The 2022-2023 course offerings include Theatre Arts Exploration, Dance Exploration, Visual Arts Exploration, and Musical Arts Exploration.

Currently, the program is being piloted at four school sites in Orange Unified School District (OUSD), with 180 students participating. OUSD leveraged Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) grants to bring the Arts Accelerator program with aims to bring hands-on, engaging learning experiences to address the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs and interests of students.

“We are thrilled to work with Orange County School of the Arts to bring the best of both of our programs – arts and afterschool – to students who traditionally aren’t exposed to this kind of learning,” said Randy Barth, founder and CEO of Think Together. “This collaboration allows us to expand our collective reach and provide students with the opportunity to explore and develop their artistic talents while receiving a quality education.”

Bringing Art to Students

Parents and principals have been so excited, particularly about the performances. It’s an opportunity to bring the community together in celebration of the arts. Both parents, principals and stakeholders are also so excited to see how the students have been progressing with skill development and appreciate the caliber of talent provided by OCSA.

Students are walking away with not only accelerated arts skillset but learning about the history and cultures that align with the programs they’re participating in. Programs like these create equity and access to high quality instruction that students may not otherwise have access to for free. Learn more below about what Think Together students will be learning!

Theatre Arts Exploration

Students in the Theatre Arts Exploration course will gain experience and insight into the world of theatre arts through the exploration of acting, character development, blocking, original storytelling, artistic choice, finding their voice, improvisation, scene work, ensemble building, and teamwork. They will learn foundational skills, theatre vocabulary, and the importance of all the roles involved in a theatrical presentation.

Dance Exploration

Students in the Dance Exploration course can expect to be introduced to a wide spectrum of dance styles, where they will develop and refine dance techniques. Each class consists of warm ups, skill introduction, and developing technique that increases the student’s skills, practice, appreciation, and knowledge of dance. Choreography is taught through the lens of various dance styles and the students work on their own group choreography and performance skills as well.

Visual Arts Exploration

In the Visual Arts Exploration course, students will learn about a variety of visual art making mediums and experiment with their own style. Focus is placed on foundational visual arts skills and the importance of artistic choices through the creative process.

Musical Arts Exploration

Students in the Musical Arts Exploration course will embark on a musical journey which acquaints them with the foundational skills necessary to understand, appreciate, and participate in making music with their voices, musical instruments or a combination of both. Each class incorporates engaging activities to help students along their journey of learning music, which may include introduction and refinement of musical technique, musicianship, and expansion of foundational music skills and understanding.

Looking to the Future

In addition to building up this robust program with OCSA, Think Together is partnering with other organizations to bring the arts to students across the state. We partner with Building Beats, Global Cultural Foundation, Versa-Style, Segerstrom Center for the Arts “Arts Teach,” Arts Learning Conservatory, Silicon Valley Creates, Music Center and Afterschool Music Academy to bring a variety of creative curriculum to over 60 schools benefitting around 2,400 students annually.

Our hope at Think Together is to work with our curriculum, corporate, and foundation partners to bring more elevated experiences to students and provide them with well-rounded opportunities to explore the arts, STEM and sports.

Brandin Garcia, a Think Together team member of 12 years, provides a top-tier program as a site coordinator at the STEAM Academy at Osburn Burke Middle School in Think Together’s Santa Fe Springs region. Throughout his tenure at Burke Middle School, Brandin has emphasized student agency for his sixth through eighth grade students. At Brandin’s program, there are a variety of student-led clubs such as gardening, journalism, and the Bob Ross Club. Brandin is known throughout the Santa Fe Springs region for his mentorship of new middle school site coordinators. Brandin is a team player and impacts students and peers by leading by example. We are thrilled to give you the opportunity to get to know Brandin!

What is your Think Together “why?”

I have a couple of “whys” for working here. My first “why” is to provide a safe space for kids and teens to be free and express themselves; a place where they can feel heard and seen. My second “why” is for the families who rely on free programs like Think Together. My mother was a single parent of three and worked overtime multiple times a week to provide for me and my siblings when we were younger. Having a safe place for us after school helped our family be financially stable and gave my mother peace of mind.

Is there a student story that has stuck with you from your time at Think Together?

Multiple student stories stick out to me, but one story is about Marcus, who was an eighth-grade student at Richard Graves Middle School. At the end of the school year, I received an e-mail from the principal that read, “When these kids were seventh-graders last year at the end of the year we had 123 who would not have made it. This year was only 27, that’s almost a 100-kid difference, and Think Together was part of it. Thanks for the help, especially with Marcus.” Marcus was an eighth-grade student with all Fs and many of the teachers had lost hope in him. When Marcus joined the program, I was able to work with him and help bring all his grades up. He graduated that year with his highest grade being an A and his lowest grade being a C-. At his promotion, with tears in his eyes, Marcus shared with me how grateful he was that I did not let him give up.

What is one thing you have learned from your students at Burke Middle School?

One thing I have learned from my students here at Burke is that a student is not defined by a moment. These students are growing and maturing every day and as educators, we cannot allow ourselves to give up on any student due to their not-so-good moments. We must see the best in them and encourage them to see themselves as we see them: as a person with the power to thrive regardless of their circumstances or what others may say about them.

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

The best piece of advice that I’ve received is to stay true to myself regardless of the noise around me. A dead fish can go with the flow, but it takes a living fish to swim against the current.

What do you hope that the 8^th grade students will take with them as they get ready to enter high school?

My team and I encourage our students to be true to themselves and not just follow the crowds. If there’s something they are interested in, they should pursue it regardless of who’s going with them. It’s easy for students to think that their friends are their whole world in middle school. But their world will expand, and I don’t want them to look back in regret over the opportunities they turned down just because their friends weren’t interested too. I hope they go into high school confident to do the things that make them happy and make the most of the next four years.

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

I truly enjoy being a site coordinator, but if the opportunity presents itself, I wouldn’t be opposed to seeking a quality assurance coach position at Think Together. I’m also open to the doors that may open for me to pursue a career as a probation officer or social worker.

Outside of work, what do you do for fun?

I love spending my free time pouring into the next generation as a high school youth leader at my church. I also enjoy traveling, hiking, and running. I recently ran my second half marathon this past February.

Thank you, Brandin, for changing the odds for kids!

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 collaborative events that have taken place over the last few weeks!

LA Clippers score point with career panels

In an ongoing partnership with the LA Clippers, Think Together high school students were invited by the Clippers to attend a “Women in Sports” panel featuring female employees of the LA Clippers for Woman’s History Month. At the event, students heard about the different roles and educational backgrounds of the employees, with an opportunity to ask questions during a Q&A. To end the night on a high note, the students also attended the LA Clippers game as they took on the Toronto Raptors at the Crypto Center.

Think Together student Destiny from our San Gabriel Valley Region enjoyed the panel and shared her takeaways. “Honestly, all of them [the panelists] were my favorite, because they all said something about women, in general, being the best, and their careers just inspired us a lot.”

Previously, Think Together students also attended a panel hosted by the LA Clippers and the Coalition of Black Male Physicians for Black History Month. Students were able to learn more about the field of medicine and hear from physicians and the importance of Black representation in the medical field.

Pacific Life helping promote literacy

Think Together is always excited to help students approach important subjects, like literacy, in new and engaging ways. Thanks to volunteers who attended Pacific Life’s Underwriter Symposium in late February, 400 literacy kits were assembled and have been distributed to Think Together students in Compton and beyond.

With the kits, students learned and practiced their literacy skills, and each box was packaged with a personalized note from the volunteers who assembled them. These messages of encouragement ranged, from “I am so proud of you,” to “never give up on your dreams,” and “reading is power.”

The literacy kits consist of game supplies including flashcards, playing cards and fly swatters that are used to race their opponents in finding and tapping on the site word announced by their program leader.

Mid-game, Dagoberto shared “It’s really fun, you get to hit the words. Then, those who have the most, win.”

Think Together in the Fast Lane

In late February, students from Colton Joint Unified School District got to attend the Speediatrics Fun Day Festival, hosted by the NASCAR Foundation at Fontana’s Auto Club Speedway. Think Together students participated in a full week of healthy living lessons during their afterschool program, and the official Auto Club Speedway pace car visited the school sites as part of it.

Students got an in-depth lesson on the different features of the pace car, and how it varies from their parent’s cars, in addition to the role a pace car plays during a race. Then at the speedway, students participated in pit-crew-inspired games and had the opportunity to meet NASCAR racer, Parker Kligerman.

Celleste, a Think Together program leader, shared how this experience impacted her students.

“The NASCAR field trip was an impactful experience that both the students and staff enjoyed being a part of. Not only was the field trip great but so were the lesson plans that we were able to teach to our students. The PowerPoints were interactive, interesting, and fun which made it easy for the students to learn.

These lesson plans got the students extremely excited to go to the speedway. The day of the field trip went fantastic as the students participated with tons of excitement and enthusiasm at each activity. Overall, the field trip was a great experience for everyone involved and I would love to be a part of something like this again!”

Think Together would like to thank 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].