Celebrating Juneteenth

“When we talk about race, we honor who children and teens are as learners. A conversation with a caring adult allows children to feel safe and ask questions instead of drawing conclusions about race and racism based on implicit and explicit messaging from the world around them and their own limited knowledge. Reading is a powerful way to nurture a child’s sense of curiosity and build a foundation for having bigger conversations about race over time.” – Smithsonian

Juneteenth is an opportunity to pause, recognize, and cement this moment in our nation’s history. June 19, 1865, is the date that Union Soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas with news the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free, two and half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.

The holiday is also known as Freedom Day and has been officially celebrated as early as 1866 by the African American communities recently freed from enslavement in Texas. The holiday quickly spread nationwide and has been commemorated annually by African Americans for over 150 years. Early celebrations included the singing of spirituals and prayer meetings. Into the 21st century, Juneteenth observances grew to include festivals with parades, food, musical performances, family reunions, and rallies to honor African American culture.

We join in the celebration of Juneteenth to promote and cultivate knowledge and appreciation of African American history and culture. It’s a celebration of freedom and achievement and encouraging others to work on continuous self-development and respect for all cultures.

Over the month of June, Think Together staff will engage students in lessons about the importance of Juneteenth to our nation, the meaning behind the day, and will then apply their learning by holding celebrations!

What does that curriculum look like?

Think Together’s K-5th grade students will learn about what the Juneteenth flag symbolizes, decorate the Juneteenth flag, and wave it proudly! Our students will talk about the injustice done to enslaved people in Texas, whose message of emancipation was delayed for over two years. As the students wave their Juneteenth flag, they will be equipped to teach their family and friends about the importance of Freedom Day.

Our 6th-12th grade students take a deeper dive into learning about Juneteenth. After watching informative videos, staff and students answer a set of questions together. They ask, “Why are there two Independence Days?” “How does it make you feel that there were over 250,000 enslaved people that received the news that slaves were free 2 ½ years after it actually happened?” and “Why do you think it’s important to acknowledge and celebrate Juneteenth?”

Think Together embraces daily curricula that center and celebrate diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for our students. To commemorate Juneteenth, students and staff at Think Together will encourage respectful dialogue, unlearn implicit bias, and educate ourselves on different perspectives, backgrounds, and cultures. It is equally important to continue these conversations at home to facilitate a growth mindset and encourage continuous learning.

We hope that you will join us in learning more!

Try the “Juneteenth Flag” Lesson for K-5th grade students.

Try the “What is Juneteenth?” Lesson for 6th-12th grade students.

It was a seemingly ordinary end of the year celebration at Compton High School.

Students gathered near the teen center on campus for a Culmination Carnival, complete with Kona Ice, popcorn, cotton candy, and games.

Think Together’s Compton High School program serves nearly 100 students daily and this day was no exception as youth lined up to check in for the event.

Once inside, students participated in wellness activities like yoga and cornhole. The drone club demonstrated how students coded their drone flight paths and took their learning to new heights. And, right around the corner, a celebration of the program’s student leaders took place inside the multi-purpose room.

One by one, student leaders of the Compton High School Think Together program were called up to the stage and recognized for their achievement. High schools operate a little differently than Think Together’s elementary and middle school programs. Students are encouraged to take leadership positions and run clubs that interest them. Represented among Think Together student leaders were organizers of Compton High School’s Beauty and Brains Club, music production, and culinary arts club.

After each student was called to the stage, Jacquese, a graduating senior asked everyone for their attention. With all eyes on him, Jacquese made a grand impromptu speech to personally congratulate his schoolmates for graduating and express his profound gratitude for Stephany, the school’s Think Together site coordinator, for all she did to help support their goals and ambitions.

“I would like to thank our site coordinator Stephany for pushing us all out of our comfort zones with Boeing, Lights On, and all the other events. We are all grateful for the things you put us through.”

Jacquese is an example of how Think Together students take an ordinary day in program and make it extraordinary. But it’s not without the support and mentorship of Think Together site coordinators like Stephany who come to school sites each day with the shared purpose of changing the odds for kids.

There was one more surprise in store for attendees. As the roar of applause for Jacquese settled, Randy stepped back to the center of the stage to recognize one more outstanding leader-Stephany Garcia.

“Stephany has shown an unparalleled commitment to creating a safe, fun, and inclusive environment for all who attend Think Together’s Teen Center here at Compton High School,” shared Randy.

Stephany has been with Think Together since August of 2021 and has shown persistence and resilience in building the flourishing program at Compton High School since the start of her tenure. Among the clubs, she has worked with her students to lead Drivers’ ed, Elite Triangle Fitness, Champion’s Nutrition Club, among many others.

Following Randy’s recognition of Stephany, Senior Field Representative, Aide Castro representing the offices of Assemblymember Mike Gipson of the 65th district, honored Stephany with recognition from the California State Assembly for her exemplary commitment to youth in Compton.

“Assemblymember Mike Gipson was honored to recognize Stephany Garcia, of Think Together. Her leadership as an agent of change was evident by the participation of the students. She has been able to engage the students of Compton High School by creating a safe space for expression and socializing, and we are grateful for her efforts.”

Over her nine years with Think Together, Veronica Vallejo is known for her outstanding work and passion for student advocacy. Veronica has built a successful program at Cielo Vista Charter School in Palm Springs, which serves over 150 students in grades TK through eighth grade. As site coordinator, Veronica ensures her program is student-centered and develops her program leaders to be student advocates. Veronica created a strong partnership with principals and parents at Cielo Vista, exemplifying our mission to partner with schools to change the odds for kids. Together, they develop an engaging program that continues to draw in students to be a part of the Think Together program. 

What is your Think Together “why?” 

When I first started at Think Together, just like most of us, I had no why. Working for Think Together sounded interesting, and I went for it! After my first year as a substitute program leader, I found my “why.” I was able to see myself in my students and I wanted to be the person I needed when I was younger. This passion has driven me in my work for the past nine years! 

What is one thing your team has accomplished that you are proud of? 

My team’s biggest challenge and accomplishment this year was growing from a small average daily attendance of 50 to 163 students enrolled. Our site has grown in ways we could not have imagined.  

Last year, our afterschool program was up for budget reductions due to low attendance. This year, we needed more staff and more funding to serve all the students who applied to be a part of the program. I am very proud of myself and my team for making the Think Together afterschool program at Cielo Vista a place where kids want to be. 

 Is there a student story that has stuck with you?  

A few years ago, I ran into a former student of mine from my days as a program leader. He walked up to me and let me know he had just graduated from high school. I was his program leader when he was in the 6th grade, and he wanted to thank me for always being myself and being proud of who I was. He let me know that since I had no shame in who I was, he felt that he could come out and live confidently being who he is. Representation in all forms matters and that is why I continue to live proud of who I am.     

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

As a site coordinator, whenever I have a new program leader placed at my site, I ask them to sit and remember why they might have the trauma they have. As educators, we should look back at everything we went through during our younger years and remember that the students we work with are likely going through similar challenges right now. I remind them to be who they needed at their age and to be conscious of the experiences they are giving them. The goal is for all students to walk away from their class years later and think “This person was the person I needed”.   

What do you hope that the students will take with them as they finish the school year?  

I hope they take away EXCITEMENT for the upcoming year! This year was filled with trial and error, but we eventually found our balance. My only wish is that they can’t wait to come back to Think Together in the Fall!  

Outside of work, what do you do for fun?   

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and pets. I enjoy traveling across the country, camping, and playing video games. Fun fact, I get paid to play video games on weekends! 

Schools are communities for students, educators and parents to come together and form a safe place of learning, accepting people of all races, ethnicities, religions, gender identities, sexual orientations, and many other differences that make us unique and special individuals; everyone is welcomed with open arms.

Pride Month serves as a time to not only spotlight the history and impact of the LGBTQ+ community but also work towards creating a diverse and inclusive environment inside and outside the classroom; a notion that is important to do all year round.

At Think Together we strive to create inclusive spaces for our students that promote a learning and understanding environment. To support students in becoming keen and objective learners, here are some engaging activities students can do inside and outside the classroom to promote inclusivity, belonging and kindness:

Kindergarten to 5th grade

Elementary students are always looking for the next sign of fun, so why not mix in some learning and make it even more meaningful! An idea for inclusive and creative arts and crafts could be to have students draw what their own family looks like. It’ll help them see that not every family is the same and they take many shapes and sizes. Creating their own version of what a pride flag is can help students express their own pride in themselves and what it means to be prideful. Reading them books that promote inclusivity and teach them about what Pride Month is and who it represents, is a good way to help them visualize and understand through literature.

6th grade to 8th grade

Middle school students are in a stage where they are just starting to figure out who the are and are going through changes they might not understand. A way that could help them feel comfortable and supported would be with creating a kindness wall that has positive affirmations for their peers to read and maybe be a rainbow in someone’s cloud. A “Take One, Give One” board is also another way that allows middle schoolers to spread kindness and support by taking a positive affirmation and either giving it to someone or leaving another behind to brighten someone else’s day.

9th grade to 12th grade

High school students can be more expressive and have a set of values and opinions that reflect who they are. High school is a bumpy rollercoaster with college being the next step, so it’s always important to remind students to love and accept themselves. A fun way to help students showcase this is by having them write a love letter to themselves. It helps them develop their creative writing skills and uplift their self-esteem. It could be a letter to their future self, past self, or a thank you for all they’ve accomplished.  It’s also important to teach high school students how to be an ally for the community and have social awareness of who those around them. It can prevent bullying and encourage empathy and compassion for their peers.

Learn more about how to make the classroom and home a more inclusive environment with these links!

Kaiser Permanente has provided Think Together with $129,500 in grant funding to train staff in trauma-informed care strategies at programs across the Bay Area, San Gabriel Valley, Santa Fe Springs, and the Inland Empire.

Through the grants, more than 10,000 students at 133 schools will benefit from trained staff equipped to support them in their emotional and cognitive development. By creating a trauma-informed care environment, Think Together helps students and teachers overcome the stigma associated with mental health issues. This new-found awareness will improve student academic performance and prepare them for higher education.

Trauma-informed care in a school setting addresses the needs of students who may be at risk for experiencing traumatic stress symptoms and shifts the focus from “what’s wrong with you” to “what happened to you.” Training in trauma-informed care enables staff to see a more complete picture of a student’s life situation, which leads to more effective, targeted solutions.

Studies of U.S youths aged 6-17 reveal that one in six experience a mental health disorder each year, and half of all mental health conditions begin at age 14. The most common of these are ADHD, depression, anxiety, and behavior problems. Many conditions go undiagnosed, and only half of those experiencing them are seeking or receiving treatment.

This trauma-informed care training has already had positive effects on students across each region.  Staff and students alike have learned the value of mindful moments and meditation activities, and staff members report that students are applying skills they learned in class to their daily lives, from identifying the signs that they may be struggling to the use of breathing exercises to re-center themselves.

Daniel Hernandez, a Bay Area staff member, shared,

“After the classes, my team and I became more intentional with our daily check-ins. Before we would ask students how they were doing every morning and left it at that. Since the classes, we ask why they are feeling happy, sad, or excited. They have opened up more since then and they have become more comfortable sharing over the last few weeks.”

The program is especially helpful for students who are more energetic and those with special needs. The inclusion integrated into each program allows it to be universal and helpful to all. These students were encouraged to ask for breaks from activities or the classroom when the environment would be too much to handle.

Another Bay Area staff member, Brook, said, “We were able to get our students to be more in tune with learning how to communicate their feelings. They now feel more comfortable approaching staff with questions or concerns. They also are learning how to better adjust to the learning curve that was brought with COVID.”

The program has been hit with the students as well. “I love the fidget toys! I sometimes don’t even realize I’m playing with it while doing my work and it helps me concentrate,” said JL, a student from the Bay Area program.

At the conclusion of the training, reports reveal that site leaders and staff being allowed to establish closer and deeper relationships with their students made it easier to connect with them.

Thank you to Kaiser Permanente Fontana, Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park, Kaiser Permanente Riverside, Kaiser Permanente San Jose and Kaiser Permanente Alameda for helping us fund these vital programs!

To learn more about Trauma-Informed care and mental health in schools visit:

https://www.traumainformedcare.chcs.org/what-is-trauma-informed-care/

https://www.nami.org/Advocacy/Policy-Priorities/Improving-Health/Mental-Health-in-Schools

Meet Joanna Ahimeyes, program leader at California Elementary in the Orange Unified School District. A former teacher, Joanna uses her knowledge as an education professional to benefit the 4th grade students at California Elementary after school.  

Joanna embodies the mission of Think Together by cultivating a fun and respectful space for her students to learn and grow every day. She does this with an emphasis on social emotional supports like daily check-ins and facilitating group conversations about “filling each other’s buckets” with encouragement and accolades. We are pleased to give you the opportunity to learn more about Joanna. 


What inspired you to work at Think Together and what continues to inspire your work here?  

I was inspired to work at Think Together, because when I was a teacher, Think Together was at my school. I was so impressed with the program and wanted to be a part of it! 

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

The students are doing amazing on the program i-Ready. They all work hard, and the challenges have been minimal. There have been many more successes to share. 

Is there a student story that has stuck with you? 

All the students are unique! They all have many wonderful stories to share. One day, I was speaking with a student, and she told me how she takes care of her mom. Her mom has an infection in her arm and needs IV treatments. I was so impressed at how caring and kind this student is, and though she has older siblings she is the one who cares for her mother and does so with pleasure! I love these kids! 

What are your favorite Social Emotional Learning routines you have in place with your students?  

The students are free to share what they are feeling at any time, and we do a group “check-in” daily. If they are struggling, I make sure they know they can talk to us confidentially. 

What do you hope that your students take with them as they finish the school year? 

I hope that the students remember to be responsible and respectful in their everyday lives. 

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

I hope to grow as an education professional and gain more responsibilities in my role. 

Outside of work, what do you do for fun?  

Outside of work, I try to be active by going for daily walks, paddle boarding, and beach yoga. I am also working on a book. I plan on being a published author within the next two years. 

This April, Think Together announced the three Faces of the Future Scholarship awardees at its Raise A Hand For Education Benefit. Thanks to funding from Pioneer Circuits Inc. Think Together was able to award a $10,000 scholarship to Abraham, $7,500 to Liliana, and $5,000 scholarship to Aaron. In addition to the scholarship, each recipient received a MacBook Air and a backpack to help prepare them for college.

We had the opportunity to sit down with these amazing young scholars who are ready to enter the next stage of their education.

Meet Abraham 

Abraham has been a part of the Think Together program at Compton High School for the last two years. During his time in program, he was a student leader and helped recruit students to the program. Abraham has many accomplishments, including hosting executives from The Boeing Company for a school visit and being a tour guide for special events. Additionally, last fall he coordinated a Wellness Fair for Think Together’s annual Lights On Afterschool celebration.  

Abraham shared, “There’s not a day when I don’t look forward to coming to Think Together and spending all my time here. It’s a place that has always felt so welcoming and a place I could call a second home. I love the activities, the staff, and the rest of the students.” Abraham will attend the prestigious Jackson State University to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance. He aspires to become a musician!

Learn more about Abraham by watching this video:

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Meet Liliana 

Liliana stumbled upon Think Together’s online flyer for West Valley High School’s Hack Club during the school’s lockdown in 2020. After attending the information meeting, Liliana found her place! Liliana shared, “Think Together was all about letting the students take charge and making the club what we wanted it to be; I was dumbfounded. I realized that what they were doing wasn’t something I have been involved with before, but I knew I wanted to be a part of it.”

With the leadership skills Liliana established through Think Together’s afterschool program, she discovered her interest in STEM. Liliana will be attending the University of California, San Diego to study biomedical engineering. Her hope is to provide accessible medical equipment to underserved communities.

Learn more about Liliana by watching this video:

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Meet Aaron

It wasn’t until Aaron entered PUC Triumph Charter High School that he met site coordinator Rey, who handed him an application to sign up for Think Together. Since then, Aaron recounts that he kept coming back to Think Together for the resources, the comradery, the support from the staff, and the amazing clubs. Aaron shared, “There was a cooking club, hosted by coach Alex…coach Alex taught me the basics, such as how to crack an egg and how to make sushi.”

Aaron will proudly graduate as a straight A student because of the support from Think Together’s homework club. He has been accepted to many of colleges and universities, but Aaron hopes to attend his top choice, The University of Wisconsin. He plans to major in Aerospace Engineering, and ultimately receive a master’s degree one day.

Learn more about Aaron by watching this video:

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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.

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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.