Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders, Today!

Bringing Leaders Together at the 2025 Inland Empire Education and Workforce Summit 

In partnership with Think Together and the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce, the 5th Annual Inland Empire Education and Workforce Summit, brought together business, education, and community leaders to explore innovative high school programs that are shaping the region’s future workforce.  

The event featured remarks from Edward Ornelas, Jr., President of the Inland Empire Chamber of Commerce, and Randy Barth, who opened the program. Dr. Guillermo Escalante, Associate Dean at California State University, San Bernardino, provided a higher education perspective on the regional workforce pipeline and introduced program case studies from Desert Hot Springs High School Principal Omar Tinoco and Palm Springs Unified School District Director of Expanded Learning Amber Gascoigne, highlighting career pathways in barbering and fashion design. 

The summit also featured a keynote address from Dr. Angelo Farooq, California Workforce Development Board Member, and a panel discussion moderated by Think Together’s Director of District Partnerships, Johanna Lizarraga, with participation from: Dr. Steve Lee, Kaiser Permanente; Amy Foell, San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership; Dr. Stephanie Houston, San Bernardino County Office of Education; and Dr. Heather Williams Riverside County Office of Education. 

Click here to read more about the event. 

Palm Springs Life Magazine Celebrates the Leadership of Director of Johanna Lizarraga 

Palm Springs Life feature on Johanna Lizarraga and her work expanding opportunities for Coachella Valley students.

For 17 years, Johanna Lizarraga has been helping to shape the future of Think Together students in Coachella Valley. As she rose through the ranks of Think Together, she championed the organization’s mission, empowering her fellow leaders to create meaningful learning experiences and build strong relationships with students, parents and the community. 

Today as a Director of District Partnerships, she is a leader who is bridging a gap between school districts and communities to ensure all students have access to the tools that will help them succeed.  

Thank you to Palm Springs Life for recognizing Johanna’s exceptional leadership! 

Changing the Odds Through the Arts with Orange County School of the Arts 

Congratulations to Think Together partner, Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) for being featured in the Los Angeles Times! Together we have impacted over 3,000 students across Southern California with dynamic arts education. Through enriching arts experiences led by professional OCSA teaching artists during Think Together’s afterschool, spring break, and summer programs, students gain hands-on learning opportunities in ballet folklórico and mariachi music. 

Think Together Recognized in Modern Luxury’s 2025 Philanthropy Awards 

Modern Luxury 2025 Philanthropy Awards feature recognizing Think Together for its impact in education and community partnerships.

We are honored to be one of the many outstanding organizations who were featured in the 2025 Modern Luxury Philanthropy Awards. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to changing the odds for thousands of students and communities across California. In Orange County, we are grateful to our school partners who have helped us bring better opportunities to more than 5,000 students, and we look forward to expanding our impact even further. Together, we are creating brighter futures for every student. 

Expanding Our Impact Across California with New District Partnerships 

As Think Together expands its reach across California, we’re deepening our mission to change the odds for kids through new and impactful district partnerships.  

In Elk Grove Unified School District, Think Together kicked off its new partnership during the summer, serving 1,000 students across four school sites. For Think Together staff and students at Vacaville Unified School District, this partnership will serve nearly 600 students across five Vacaville school sites.  

Neighboring school district, Fairfield–Suisun Unified School District, will also mirror a similar partnership with Think Together that will leave a lasting impact on nearly 1,000 students across nine schools. Working together with Lodi Unified School District, Think Together will provide 400 students from Joe Serna Jr. Charter School. 

Think Together is excited to begin implementing programs that will positively impact the lives of thousands of students. Click here to read about the other districts joining us in expanding access to quality expanded learning opportunities across California. 

Celebrating the Impact of Expanded Learning with Lights On Afterschool 

On October 23rd, across California hundreds of Think Together staff, students and families came together to celebrate the power of expanded learning for Lights On Afterschool. It truly takes a village, and Think Together is proud to foster a strong community committed to changing the odds for kids and “Igniting a Brighter Tomorrow” for limitless opportunities. We’re grateful to our corporate partners, donors and supporters who believe in our mission and are committed to keeping the lights on afterschool. 

If you missed our live broadcast, watch it here or read all about the event in our press release.  

Virtual celebrations underscored the importance of expanded learning programs and their role in supporting student success.  

SANTA ANA, CALIF. (October 24, 2025) – Think Together, California’s leading nonprofit provider of afterschool, expanded learning and school improvement programs, held its annual Lights On Afterschool virtual celebration on YouTube on Thursday, Oct. 23. The event, themed Igniting a Brighter Tomorrow, was part of the Afterschool Alliance’s nationwide advocacy event to shine a light on expanded learning programs.

Think Together’s virtual celebration brought together students, families, community partners and staff to share how expanded learning programs are empowering the next generation to thrive in all aspects of life. More than 800 viewers tuned in to learn how afterschool, summer, WREP, enrichment and more help students stay engaged in school, develop new skills, and discover their passions.

“Lights On Afterschool gives organizations like Think Together a platform to showcase what it truly means to invest in the future of young minds through expanded learning,” said Tommy Brewer, Think Together Senior Vice President of Partner Success and Innovation. “With this year’s state budget increasing funding for ELO-P and expanding eligibility, we’re grateful for the progress made and the opportunity to reach even more students across California.” 

In addition to the virtual celebration, nearly 400 Think Together sites across California hosted celebrations in partnership with school district partners. School site events ranged from literacy carnivals to craft fairs, STEM nights to fall festivals, each celebrating the unique ways learning can be supported in the hours after school.

At Magee Academy of Arts and Sciences in Pico Rivera, students set up booths to showcase their creative storytelling, robotics and coding, sports and the science behind outer space. State Senator Bob Archuleta and Pico Rivera Mayor John R. Garcia were in attendance and praised the students for their hard work and the impact Think Together has on the community of Pico Rivera.

 ”Turn on the lights because kids, you are the future of this country,” said Archuleta during his speech at the event. “When I walked around and I saw these displays and what you’ve done, oh my god, I couldn’t believe you did it. The artistic work, the engineering work, the capacity that you have now in space orientation, everything you’re doing, that’s amazing.”

The afterschool programming Think Together provides in collaboration with districts is made possible by funding through the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P), the After School Education and Safety Program (ASES), and the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program (21st CCLC). These programs play a key role in ensuring local education agencies (LEAs) receive adequate state and federal funding for increased learning opportunities, such as expanded access to academic support, extracurriculars, sports and much more. 

With Governor Gavin Newsom’s commitment to enabling universal access to afterschool and summer programs through the Expanded Learning Opportunity Program (ELO-P), state investment has increased from about $800 million per year to $4.8 billion per year. This substantial funding has been monumental in expanding access to students who lacked support from expanded learning programs such as Think Together.

As the state continues to prioritize expanded learning access, Think Together remains committed to serving the communities with the greatest need while diversifying its programs and doubling its footprint over the next four years. 

“As we look to the future, we’re privileged to have the opportunity to provide meaningful programs that help ensure every child, regardless of their background, has access to high-quality expanded learning,” said Randy Barth, Founder and CEO of Think Together. “Lights On Afterschool reminds us of what’s possible when we come together to invest in kids.”

About Think Together 

For over 25 years, Think Together has partnered with schools and communities to pursue educational opportunity 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 each year. Think Together’s program areas include early learning, afterschool programs, staffing, and leadership development for teachers and school administrators. For more information, call (888) 485-THINK or visit www.thinktogether.org.   

Personal stories and experiences fuel the change we want to see for tomorrow. Sylvia Rojas, Site Program Manager for San Bernardino West, watched her mother struggle to balance work and caring for their family of five. So, when Sylvia learned about Think Together and how SHE can be the first step in generational change, she didn’t give it a second thought. Learn more about Sylvia’s story below.

What is your Think Together “why?” What inspired you to work at Think Together and what continues to inspire your work here.

My why comes from my own personal story of seeing my mother struggle to support our family of five while juggling three jobs to provide care and a roof over our heads. A program like Think Together would have hugely benefitted my family back then. Today, I can still see parents and students have the same need and I am glad that I can be a part of the change and work with Think Together to provide a solution. My experience fuels my drive to create opportunities and provide unwavering support for students and families.

What advice would you give yourself 19 years ago on your first day at Think Together? Would you do anything differently?

Be prepared to handle a full classroom of students! Before Think Together I was used to only managing a group of five students or less so upgrading to a classroom of 25+ students was a big step up. But I wouldn’t change a thing. Think Together has given me a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Is there a student story that has stuck with you?

There is not a singular student story but an experience I have often that has stuck with me. I always tell my students that they will always have a spot at Think Together and can have a career helping students and their community too. Former students are now Program Leaders under my guidance. This has been a full circle moment to see my students return and support the same program that helped them.

It’s finally October which means Fall is finally here! What is your favorite Fall or October Activity?

Our annual Light’s On Afterschool dance performance. Students perform during the school’s Fall Festival at our school. I enjoy the dance performance every year because it creates a unity that brings our parents and teachers together watching our students performed.

Do you have a moment during your career at Think Together that has really made an impact on you?

Prior to working for Think Together, I worked in the retail business for many years. After being laid off, I decided to do something different and applied to my school district as a tutor. I loved helping and supporting students with homework. When Think Together was offered in my district in 2007, I applied and started my Think Together career at the Ontario Center School. One of my most impactful experiences at Think Together, was a visit to the Shalimar Learning Center with CEO Randy Barth to see where it all started. This visit brought back my past with my mom. I saw that this company’s roots were to support those families in need and that I was a part of the team that was carrying on that legacy. I was also inspired by Randy’s dream for the future of Think Together, which deepened my commitment to Think Together’s mission. Over the years, I have seen how Think Together is rapidly growing and throughout it all we keep support for students and families at the center of it all.

What is the theme song to your life? Why?

Coming Around Again by Carly Simon. It’s one of those songs I used to always play, and my girls would sing along with me. To this day, whenever I hear this song, it always makes me happy and brings back good memories.

Outside of work, what do you do for fun?  

I have been traveling during the summer months and travel to Greece, Spain, Barcelona and Paris. My next trip plan is Japan.

In partnership with Think Together and the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce, the fifth annual summit explored solutions for preparing students for college and career success. 

ONTARIO, CALIF. (Sept. 30, 2025) – Think Together, California’s leading nonprofit provider of expanded learning, afterschool programs, staffing, and school improvement services, in partnership with the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce, hosted its fifth annual Inland Empire Education and Workforce Summit at the Ontario Airport Hotel and Conference Center on Sept 30.  

Sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, the summit brought together business, education, and community leaders to explore innovative high school programs that are shaping the region’s future workforce. The summit underscores the importance of aligning education with workforce development to meet the Inland Empire’s growing economic needs. Kaiser Permanente, a longtime supporter of Think Together’s initiatives, plays a key role in helping students access programs that foster real-world skills and career readiness.

“Our continued partnership with the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce, Kaiser Permanente and so many others, allows us to drive innovation in education and provide meaningful access to WREP programs for students,” said Randy Barth, Founder and CEO of Think Together. “With the ongoing support of our community and partners, we can expand programs that engage students and prepare them for a successful future at a time when these opportunities are needed most.”

The event featured remarks from Edward Ornelas, Jr., President of the Inland Empire Chamber of Commerce, and Randy Barth, who opened the program. Dr. Guillermo Escalante, Associate Dean at California State University, San Bernardino, provided a higher education perspective on the regional workforce pipeline and introduced program case studies from Desert Hot Springs High School Principal Omar Tinoco and Palm Springs Unified School District Director of Expanded Learning Amber Gascoigne, highlighting career pathways in barbering and fashion design.

The summit also featured a keynote address from Dr. Angelo Farooq, California Workforce Development Board Member, and a panel discussion moderated by Think Together’s Director of District Partnerships, Johanna Lizarraga, with participation from: Dr. Steve Lee, Kaiser Permanente; Amy Foell, San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership; Dr. Stephanie Houston, San Bernardino County Office of Education; and Dr. Heather Williams Riverside County Office of Education.

“Events like the Inland Empire Education and Workforce Summit demonstrate the power of collaboration between education, business, and the community,” said Edward Ornelas, Jr. “By investing in programs that help students explore their talents and career paths, we’re not only preparing the next generation of leaders but also strengthening the Inland Empire’s economic future.”

Through workforce readiness programs and community partnerships, students develop essential 21st-century skills such as coding, robotics, AI and digital literacy, while also sharpening soft skills like problem-solving, empathy and active listening.

With a population of over 4 million, the Inland Empire is one of the fastest-growing economic regions in the state, making continued investments in education and workforce development critical. Private and public partnerships, like those highlighted at the summit, are key to sustaining high-quality programs and ensuring every student in the region is ready to succeed.

About Think Together 

For over 25 years, Think Together has partnered with schools and communities to pursue educational opportunity 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 each year. Think Together’s program areas include early learning, afterschool programs, staffing, and leadership development for teachers and school administrators. For more information, call (888) 485-THINK or visit www.thinktogether.org.   

About the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce (IERCC) 

The Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce (IERCC) supports commerce and economic prosperity throughout Riverside & San Bernardino Counties. The IERCC provides a platform for business executives to engage, network, and conduct business with like-minded individuals from all over the Inland Empire region. Learn more about the IERCC visit www.iechamber.org. 

For the past year, Think Together has partnered with Arts & Learning Conservatory (ALC) to bring our STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Enrichment Accelerator, “Behind the Scenes,” to life through an interactive technical theater program designed for students new to the arts.

Professional theater directors from ALC teach students skills like character development, script memorization, auditioning, lighting design, sound engineering, and other key elements of theater production.

To showcase these new skills, Think Together students collaborated with ALC to present productions of “The Wizard of Oz,” “The Lion King,” “Matilda,” “Alice in Wonderland,” and a variety of others at their school sites.

In addition to technical skills, students learn how to interact and work together. For eighth grade Think Together student Nathaly, she learned the value of teamwork within her role in the production of “The Jungle Book” and even made new friends along the way.  

“I like the fact that we have new experiences since we don’t really get a lot of programs like this. It’s been really cool to see how things work in theaters,” said Nathaly. “It helps me build new skills and I’ve learned a lot about teamwork. Even those kids who, like me, were shy, got to experience new things.” 

Many students in the Arts & Learning Conservatory program had never participated in or been to a theater production, making this a completely new experience for them.

“Consistently, I’ve seen kids push past embarrassment, push past being silly when it’s not always cool to be silly. They have each shown significant growth just in believing in what they’re capable of,” shared Toni Pelayo, Arts and Learning Conservatory Teaching Artist. “Part of this program has been challenging each and every student to really do something they’ve never done before and do it with boldness.” 

For the 2024-2025 school year, Think Together served over 1,000 students with 70 hours of exposure to the ALC program across 10 weeks of curriculum, with 35% of students saying they feel more confident and interested in school. ALC currently operates their immersive and technical theater program in eight schools in Paramount Unified School District, with more districts beginning in the winter.

“Think Together’s vision is that all students in California, particularly those from historically marginalized groups, are graduating from high school with all life options available. To accomplish this, we work to identify other community partners who can provide exposure to unique program experiences such as this one,” said Jaclyn Aviles, Senior Strategist and leader of the enrichment accelerator initiative for Think Together. “By exploring STEAM, students find passions and talents they didn’t know they had.”

After a successful school year in Compton Unified School District, the ALC and Think Together partnership is planning to expand to additional school districts across Southern California. The ALC program is only a fraction of what Think Together offers within our enrichment accelerators, which expand to sports and dance.

Opportunities like these remind us that when we invest in students, we are also investing in the future. Afterschool programs are more than a place for homework support; it’s a space to discover new talents, explore passions, and foster confidence that carries into every part of students’ lives. That’s why this October 23, Think Together invites you to join us for our Lights On Afterschool celebration, where we’ll be “Igniting A Brighter Tomorrow” to advocate for keeping the lights on afterschool. Tune in to our live YouTube broadcast at 3:30 p.m. and witness how expanded learning programs are opening doors to endless opportunities for students across California!

Think Together is proud to continue our partnership with Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, which has renewed its $100,000 grant that will help bring early literacy and numeracy programs to students in San Bernadino County. With this support, our youngest learners have more opportunities than ever to strengthen their skills, build confidence, and develop a lifelong love of learning.  

To celebrate the continued partnership, San Manuel hosted a book reading event at Simpson Elementary School in Rialto Unified School District. As young readers filled the cafeteria, they were greeted with a warm welcome from the San Manuel team. Monique Osorio, program officer for the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, took her seat at the front, ready to bring “The Little Chick” to life. 

When the reading ended, the young students made their way to a collection of books spanning a variety of genres. Thanks to the support of Think Together volunteers from the long-standing Book Doctor program, hundreds of books were available for these eager readers to take home. 

Reading opens new worlds for young minds, helping them embrace fresh themes and build new skills. “I’ve noticed they comprehend more of the books they read or listen to,” said Site Program Manager Mereesa Cruz. “It sparks their imagination and shows them that learning can be fun.” 

During the 2024-2025 school year, this partnership supported more than 3,300 students across 83 elementary schools, helping them develop essential reading and math skills through daily practice and small group instruction. Through the partnership students have dedicated time each day to reinforce classroom learning in areas like letter recognition, phonics, and number sense.  

The impact of this partnership goes beyond student learning. The grant also funded classroom technology and professional development, equipping Think Together staff with the tools and training needed to deliver effective instruction and track student progress. With the ongoing support, site staff can create engaging, personalized lessons and monitor growth more effectively.  

Since the program began, 88% of parents reported significant improvement in their child’s academic performance, and 94% say that their child feels more confidents in the classroom. These numbers reflect the meaningful impact early literacy and numeracy programs have on students’ growth and self-esteem.  

“Our students are our future, and we deeply value the commitment Think Together has taken to work with our district to invest in each student’s education so that they can thrive,” said Agent of Expanded Learning Programs Norberto Perez of Rialto Unified School District. 

As we look ahead, this continued investment from San Manuel ensures that even more young learners will have access to high quality instruction, supportive staff, and a future full of possibilities. With dedicated partners like Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, we can open more doors for students and help them reach their fullest potential. 

Think Together Enrichment Academies to Serve up to 900 Students Across 29 School Sites

Santa Ana, Calif. (September 15, 2025) – Think Together, California’s leading nonprofit provider of expanded learning, afterschool, education staffing, and school improvement services, is extending its reach to the Central Valley through a new partnership with Visalia Unified School District (VUSD), offering afterschool enrichment academies at 29 school sites, supporting up to 862 students in the region. Programs will focus on visual and performing arts, STEM, and specialty offerings like ukulele instruction, with an emphasis on student engagement, creativity, and whole-child development.

“Through our partnership, Think Together and Visalia Unified School District are turning afterschool hours into powerful opportunities,” added Jacob Hutchinson, VUSD’s Interim Director of the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program. “Students receive academic support and engaging enrichment activities that are essential for learning, growth, and meaningful connection.” 

This partnership represents Think Together’s first expansion in the Central Valley and supports Visalia Unified’s “One Visalia” vision to unify expanded learning offerings across the district. Approved by the Visalia Unified Board of Education earlier this year, Think Together will be among 14 expanded learning providers and is part of a multi-partner effort to build cohesive and high-quality expanded learning opportunities for students and families.

As part of the launch, Think Together has appointed Executive Director Cynthia Rocha, reporting to Area Vice President Cobán López for Think Together’s Central and Northern California regions, to lead programs in the Central Valley. Her hiring is in addition to a program supervisor and 22 enrichment instructors to support regional growth and program implementation.

“We are honored to bring Think Together’s mission to Visalia and partner with a district that shares our deep commitment to student success,” said López. “This collaboration is an exciting milestone and reflects a growing demand for meaningful and intentional enrichment experiences statewide.” 

Central and Northern California are projected to be strong areas of growth for Think Together as the organization works to meet the state’s six-fold investment in expanded learning and aims to double its footprint and scale the reach and impact of its expanded learning programs across California.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Visalia Unified and excited for the impact we’ll make together in the lives of students and families,” said Katy Wallace, M.Ed., Director of District Partnerships for Think Together. Wallace leads district partnerships across the newly launched Central Valley including those located in Tulare, San Joaquin, Fresno, Ventura, Kern, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Kings, Merced, Madera, and Stanislaus counties.

Think Together currently serves nearly 200,000 students annually with afterschool, school improvement and education staffing across California and continues to grow its impact in partnership with school districts, charters and community-based organizations.

“Think Together is reaching more students than ever and launching in the Central Valley marks a pivotal step in the journey of impacting more students with high quality expanded learning opportunities,” added Wallace.

For more information about Think Together and its expanded learning programs, visit thinktogether.org.  

About Think Together 

For over 25 years, Think Together has partnered with schools and communities to pursue educational opportunity 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 each year. Think Together’s program areas include early learning, afterschool programs, staffing, and leadership development for teachers and school administrators. For more information, call (888) 485-THINK or visit www.thinktogether.org.  

Think Together Caps the Back-to-School Season with Several New District Partnerships 

Think Together students practice ukulele in a music classroom setting.

As Think Together continues to grow its reach across California, its afterschool and enrichment programs now span from Southern California to the Central Coast, reaching throughout Northern California including communities across the Bay Area to Sacramento and beyond.

In partnership with Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District, nearly 1,000 students across nine schools now have access to Think Together afterschool programs that provide safe, supportive environments and enrichment opportunities to boost academic achievement, social-emotional growth, and college and career readiness.

Think Together is also proud to partner with Visalia Unified School District, extending its reach for the first time in Central Valley, across 29 schools. Programs will focus on visual and performing arts, STEM, and specialty offerings like ukulele instruction, with an emphasis on student engagement, creativity, and whole-child development.

Think Together also welcomed students for the first time in Elk Grove Unified School District, Lodi Unified School District, Milpitas Unified School District, Norton Science and Language Academy, Oakland Unified School District, Pomona Unified School District, Rio Unified School District, Salinas Unified School District, Stockton Unified School District, Westminster Unified School District and Vacaville Unified School District.

Maria Reichel Chief of Growth Strategy Named 2025 Women in Business Award Nominee by Orange County Business Journal 

Orange County Business Journal Women in Business Awards graphic with smiling woman.

As Think Together’s Chief of Growth Strategy, Maria Reichel’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping the organization’s trajectory and ensuring its continued success. Her trailblazing work earned her a nomination for the 2025 Women in Business Awards, hosted by the Orange County Business Journal, which recognizes extraordinary professional women who have greatly impacted their organizations, their profession and the Orange County community.  

Congratulations, Maria, on this well-deserved recognition!  

Jesse Durkin Executive Director of Programs Named 2025 Leaders of Influence Nominee by Los Angeles Business Journal 

Los Angeles Business Journal feature recognizing Jesse Dones among Leaders of Influence in Nonprofit & Philanthropy.

In Think Together’s Santa Fe Springs region, Executive Director of Programs Jesse Durkin’s commitment to bettering the community earned him a nomination in the Los Angeles Business Journal’s 2025 Leaders of Influence awards. Since joining Think Together in 2022, his leadership has been instrumental in expanding program impact and ensuring students receive the academic and enrichment support they need to thrive. 

Well done, Jesse! 

Think Together Wins Big at the OCPRSA 2025 PROTOS Awards Gala 

Think Together’s Marketing and Communications department secured four awards at the Orange County Public Relations Society of America (OCPRSA) 2025 PROTOS Awards Gala. The Marketing and Communications team is responsible for crafting and sharing Think Together’s impact through verbal and visual mediums, providing a clear and compelling story of the organization’s mission. 

Director of Communications Elena Bosch received the Distinguished Service Award, the chapter’s highest honor, recognizing her contributions to both OCPRSA and the public relations profession. Think Together was also honored with two PROTOS awards and an award of excellence.  

Cheers to this outstanding team! 

Family and Community Engagement Coordinator Melanie Barraza Shines in The Desert Sun News 

Woman holding a Think Together award in front of a Desert Sun article banner.

Family and Community Engagement Coordinator Melanie Barraza’s remarkable work in Think Together’s Palm Springs region has captured the attention of The Desert Sun. As the winner of the 2025 Randy Barth Leadership Award, her outstanding contributions have positively impacted thousands of students and their families, providing them with the tools and resources they need to thrive. 

Melanie’s achievements are a true testament to the passion and impact that every leader at Think Together brings to their work. 

Think Together is Igniting a Brighter Tomorrow for Lights On Afterschool 

Promo graphic for 2025 Lights On Afterschool virtual event, Oct 23, themed “Igniting a Brighter Tomorrow.”

We’re excited to once again join the nation’s largest celebration of afterschool and expanded learning with Lights On Afterschool through a virtual gathering of top lawmakers and local events throughout the state!   

Join us on October 23rd at 3:30 p.m. on Think Together’s YouTube channel for our Lights On Afterschool event “Igniting a Brighter Tomorrow” live broadcast. We will be commemorating the powerful impact Think Together is making for students across the state to be the very best version of themselves. 

As California’s leading nonprofit expanded learning provider, Think Together is committed to building pathways that create limitless opportunities for students. 

Students playing soccer and practicing drills outdoors with orange cones on the field.

Think Together is proud to announce the official launch of its expanded learning programs in partnership with Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District (FSUSD). The new programs serve nearly 1,000 students across six middle schools and three elementary schools. 

Programs will focus on providing safe and supportive environments for students after school, with enrichment opportunities designed to boost academic achievement, social-emotional growth, and college and career readiness. 

“We are excited to welcome Think Together programs to Fairfield-Suisun Unified,” said Janerl Lampson, Principal, Alternative Education. “These programs give our students meaningful opportunities to learn, grow, and connect outside of the regular school day, and we are already seeing the positive impact for families across our district.” 

This launch marks an important milestone in Think Together’s larger expansion into Northern California. Along with FSUSD, Think Together is also expanding further into Solano County as well as into Sacramento and San Joaquin counties. To support this growth, Think Together has hired an estimated 70 program staff to lead program implementation and provide direct services to students. 

Central and Northern California are projected to be key growth regions for Think Together as the organization works to meet the state’s historic six-fold investment in expanded learning. As part of this strategy, Think Together aims to double its footprint in the coming years and expand the reach and impact of its programs across the state. 

“We’re excited to launch programs in Fairfield-Suisun, where the district’s leadership and community commitment have made for a seamless and collaborative start,” said Greg Eibell, Director of District Partnerships for Think Together.  

Eibell oversees program partnerships across Northern California, including Napa, Sonoma, Marin, Solano, Sacramento, Yolo, Placer, El Dorado, San Francisco, and Contra Costa counties, ensuring quality implementation and strong district alignment. 

About Think Together

For over 25 years, Think Together has partnered with schools and communities to pursue educational opportunity 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 each year. Think Together’s program areas include early learning, afterschool programs, staffing, and leadership development for teachers and school administrators. For more information, call (888) 485-THINK or visit www.thinktogether.org.  

This year, Think Together joins communities across the nation in celebrating the theme “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future” for Hispanic Heritage Month, which is selected every year by the National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers (NCHEPM). For 57 years, the U.S. has come together to celebrate the diverse Hispanic American culture, history, and contributions that is rooted in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. 

The national observation of Hispanic Heritage Month first began as a week-long celebration in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson and was later extended into a month-long observation from September 15 to October 15 by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. September was chosen as the start of the celebratory month because it aligns with several Hispanic countries’ Independence Day, like Mexico and Chile.   

Why is it important to introduce students to different cultures and ideas?

By fostering awareness of heritage and cultures, students learn to be more empathetic when differences arise. As students grow older, they meet all kinds of people from different cultures and backgrounds. At Think Together, our goal is to integrate social-emotional learning and cultural awareness curriculum into its programs. This, in turn, better supports students in excelling and embracing those different from themselves.

What lessons are available to Think Together students to learn about Hispanic heritage?

One yearly activity that Think Together students across the state enjoy participating in is learning about the significance and history of Día de los Muertos. Students not only expand their minds with knowledge but also flex their creative skills in piecing together mini ofrendas (i.e. altars) to pay homage to an important individual in their life who has passed.

This September, Think Together students from South Whittier not only had the opportunity to learn about Día de los Muertos, but also to create beautiful artwork that will be displayed at the 20th annual Los Muertos Festival in Uptown Whittier during October.

Teach Rock is also a great source for K-12th grade Think Together students to use when exploring the many aspects of Hispanic heritage and how it has impacted their daily lives through music, community and culture.  

In celebration, Think Together gathered a few historic facts that highlight the contributions and stories of the Hispanic community. Significant moments such as these remind us how rich and impactful Hispanic heritage is and how it continues to inspire and influence the world around us.

Keep the learning going and explore the resources below to dive deeper into interesting facts, significant milestones, and powerful impact from the Hispanic community.

 

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