Together We…Project Positivity

“I’m enjoying the rhythm of it all.”

This is the positive outlook Maria Medina uses to describe both her life and her role as a Program Leader at Wilson Elementary in Lynwood. Her contagious and genuine love for her career over the past nine years has been the driving force behind her success. Read below to learn how Maria effectively bridges the gap between students, parents and teachers…all with a smile!

What continues to inspire your work at Think Together?

My students and team are a constant source of inspiration. I genuinely love coming to work each day, knowing we’re making a difference by helping students with their homework and providing them with a safe environment. Even though my days are long, and I am juggling multiple jobs, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I especially appreciate Ms. White or as I know her, Shoma, and the trust she’s placed in me. She’s taught me so much, and I’ve grown tremendously in this role because of her guidance.

Would you rather be able to speak to animals or speak all languages fluently and which animal or language would you be most excited about?

 I’d love to speak other languages, even the language of animals! As a bilingual English and Spanish speaker, I often find myself translating and seeing the relief on people’s faces when I can bridge that communication gap. This truly brings me joy. It’s especially important to me because my parents only speak Spanish. I hope that if I’m not around, someone will be there to help them.

What has been your favorite project at Think Together?

One of my favorite projects was coaching the elementary school basketball team last year. Although I didn’t have much basketball experience, I dedicated myself to learning, using videos and working with a parent volunteer. It was amazing to see how the kids and I progressed. Our team was undefeated and took first place for the basketball season! Their happiness was contagious, and I was so proud of their hard work.

If you had a theme song for your life, what would it be?

Right now, my life’s theme song would probably be Cumbia Cusinela. I don’t understand the lyrics, but the rhythm is great. That’s how I feel about my life at the moment – I’m not entirely sure if I’m on the right track, but things are flowing smoothly, and I’m enjoying the rhythm of it all.

What is a mantra, affirmation, or quote that has helped you over the years and how?

Walt Disney’s quote, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them,” has been a guiding principle for me. Whenever self-doubt creeps in, I remember that the only way to know the outcome is to try. So, I offer a prayer, hope for the best, and take the leap. 

You have been with Think Together for almost 10 years, what has been your biggest takeaway from working at this organization and in the education field? 

My biggest takeaway is the importance of maintaining a positive attitude, no matter what the day brings. While some days will be better than others, our students are always watching us, and it’s crucial that we project positivity so we can support them in every way possible.

Outside of work, what do you do for fun?  

I enjoy baking, shopping, and spending quality time with my family and friends.

Think Together alumna Esther took the path of exploration far and wide to establish her widely popular Beauty and Brains Academy, a club at Compton High School. Creating a space that opens the door for many creative outlets is key for student expression and exploration.

Esther’s cosmetology club was born out of a desire to have a space where self-confidence and creativity could be cultivated by teaching various beauty tips and tricks, as a tool to make a great first impression!

Think Together gives high school students opportunities to grow by offering them the agency to establish and lead clubs that explore unique and diverse interests such as STEM, cooking, cosmetology, gaming, and many more.

Esther was only a high school sophomore when the idea to create the Beauty and Brains Academy came to her. The academy quickly gained popularity. There are regular student attendees and plans to become a school-wide elective at Compton High School.

In addition to being a club founder, Esther had already been involved in Think Together’s high school internship program where she shared the responsibility of supporting with leadership site visits, afterschool events, and tabling to invite students to join the program.

“I used to be really shy and quiet. Because of Think Together, I feel more confident. Like anything is possible,” shared Esther. When asked if she thought her interest in makeup could lead to a career path, she answered, “I didn’t even know it was a possibility, but now I know it could be.”

As the Beauty and Brains Academy continues to grow, so does the support it receives from people in the community. Many Los Angeles based influencers like Charis Smith have coordinated donations with other online influencers to gift unused beauty PR packages to Think Together cosmetology clubs like Esther’s!

“Growing up in L.A. it is so easy to fall down the wrong path, so nonprofits like Think Together are really changing that dynamic and helping guide these students to an amazing career path in the future,” says Charis.

Extracurricular activities help students build social connections, develop new skills, and explore different career paths. Think Together’s high school programs aim to provide academic support, college and career readiness, and leadership skills to unlock their full potential and flourish in college and beyond.

Esther is an example of the power of expanded learning and cultivating a safe space where students know they have the freedom to explore different interests and follow their passions.

At Think Together, we understand that education begins long before a child steps into a classroom and that affordable childcare is essential for working families to thrive.

However, access to affordable childcare and early learning isn’t always feasible. In Orange County alone, the median cost of childcare for kids under 2 years old is a staggering $19,097 while the household income for many families can be as low as $33,150 a year.

Think Together and the PNC Foundation, through PNC Grow Up Great® – the bilingual, $500 million initiative launched in 2004 to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life – are teaming up to support families with early childhood development, literacy and family education. Through a generous grant, they are funding literacy development initiatives with childcare providers and programs throughout Orange County.

One such program is led by Elizabeth Lindsay, who has operated a home-based childcare center in Santa Ana for the past 21 years. Think Together currently supports 33 providers like Elizabeth, ensuring they have the resources to help children and families thrive.

“Think Together has been really good for my program,” Elizabeth said. “They help me a lot with obtaining the materials and funding that I need, obtaining resources for parents and giving support when needed.”

These affordable childcare programs not only provide a supportive space for children to thrive but also offer parents and caregivers resources for their growing families.

Parents participate in engagement workshops, applying a research-based curriculum that equips parents with the tools to develop in their roles as their child’s first teacher and empowering them to strengthen their children’s math, language and literacy skills. Currently, these workshops have served 137 families representing 162 children, and parents have expressed gratitude for these resources.

In addition, PNC’s grant funds up to eight Think Together early learning staff with training that equips them with the strong understanding and ability to identify, apply and coach childcare providers with the Competencies, Foundations, Frameworks and EDI Domains and appropriately implement the 10 components of the Family Child Care Home Education Network (FCCHEN) model. 

For 20 years, PNC Grow Up Great has helped young children discover their love of learning by collaborating with community-based nonprofit organizations, like Think Together. By supporting and delivering engaging programs, experiences and resources for families, children and educators, PNC Grow Up Great is helping to create a world of opportunities for the next generation and beyond.

“PNC’s support for early childhood education is a strategic investment to help broaden opportunities for social and economic mobility among at-risk children,” said Jarrod Ingle, PNC Bank regional president for Orange County and Inland Empire. “PNC Grow Up Great strives to eliminate barriers so that every child can succeed, and we are proud to work with partners like Think Together who are dedicated to serving our community through educational opportunities for our youngest learners.”

Think Together is proud to team up with PNC to bring exceptional literacy programs to Orange County families. For more stories, follow Think Together on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. 

Where would you be without Think Together? For Andrea Suarez, she was enrolled in culinary school before finding her passion for education. Now Andrea is an Assistant Site Coordinator for Howard Tanner Elementary in the OC region where she strives for progress over perfection. Learn more about Andrea by reading below.

What are your professional goals for 2025 and how do you continue to stay inspired at Think Together?

As we start off a new year, I want to continue learning about all the great programs and learning opportunities Think Together has to offer students and their families. My professional goals are to grow into a new position where I can continue to share my creativity and passion for student success. 

What has been your favorite place that you have travelled to?

The Grand Canyon was the most amazing place I’ve visited. It was a quick stop my parents made while on a road trip to Chicago and even though we weren’t there for long, it’s been a treasured core memory. The views were unbelievable, and the air was so crisp and fresh. I was standing on land but at the same time walking on clouds. I would love to go back to the Grand Canyon and explore it with my kids so they too can experience the amazing feeling.

What has been your favorite/ most proud project to have been a part of while at Think Together?

It was putting a presentation together and leading a group of students in a LEGO STEM activity.  This project gave K-5 students the opportunity to learn about coding, movement, and engineering as they built a theme park with LEGOs. The students did an amazing job working together and adding their creativity into their theme parks. I felt so proud of everyone, and their projects were so cool I had to leave them up on display!

If you could be the lead singer in any band, past or present, which band would you choose and why?

I would be the lead singer for the band Train because whenever I listen to their music, I can’t help but feel happy. Their music is catchy and easy to sing along with and gives you a sense of hope and goodness. 

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

Something I’ve been told and started to tell my kids and students I work with is “Progress over perfection.” Those three simple words have been a game changer for me when it comes to reducing stress. I don’t believe perfection exists because it looks different to everyone. Even when you think you have reached perfection, you find that there is still more you can do to make it better. However, progress is something anyone can notice and appreciate.

If you weren’t an Assistant Site Coordinator or in the education field, what career would you be pursuing?

I would be a pastry chef. Fun fact about me is I went to culinary school after high school before pursuing a career working in education.

You are someone who sees both sides of Think Together as an Assistant Site Coordinator and as a parent at Think Together. What can you share about this unique experience? 

Having the opportunity to do both roles is amazing. I not only get a chance to help our children learn and grow but I also get to share those opportunities with my own kids. They enjoy having me around and think it’s cool they get to call me Mrs. Andrea, instead of mom. I enjoy the Assistant Site Coordinator side because I see all the hard work that it takes to provide all the resources offered. As a parent, it just makes me feel extra thankful for the hard work that everyone puts in to bring the programs to the schools.

Outside of work, what do you do for fun?  

 I like to relax at home with a family game night or movie night with my kids.

Think Together’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) team plays a pivotal role in bridging families and site program managers to resources they need to realize a student’s full potential, regardless of their background.

The team of 10 wears many hats within their roles including acting as a liaison to school support services, advocating for legislation that funds expanded learning and serving as a resource for school site and district partners.

They have trained over 1,500 Think Together staff members to better understand the needs of the communities Think Together serves. In 2024 alone, the FACE team delivered nearly 8,000 informational pieces across Think Together’s regions ranging from site event flyers to family resource brochures to newsletters.

Oftentimes, our Family and Community Engagement team develops close connections to both students and parents. For one Family and Community Engagement Coordinator Sara Orellana, that meant helping a family in dire need of assistance.

While Sara was representing Think Together at a booth at a school event, a mother approached her with a plea for help. The mother confided in Sara that she no longer had a safe place for her and her children to live and were moving from one place to another. Sara took immediate action and enlisted the support of the children’s Think Together school staff, school principal and even the city mayor to ensure the family had what they needed to start a new chapter.

“Having the city involved made me feel very inspired because it made the impossible possible,” shared Sara. “At one point, folks were telling the mother that she was going to have to spend a number of days on the street, but because she found our Think Together table, I was able to use my connections in the community to help her.”

Sara went above and beyond, by putting together a budget to help the family and organized a basket with essentials like clothes and basic household items.

In addition to connecting the family to resources, Sara created a safe space for the mother to share her feelings and emotions as she steered this challenge. To this day, Sara is grateful for the outpour of support she received from our school partners, site staff and the city.

“It meant the world as an educator and as a family and community engagement coordinator for a parent to show up for their kiddos,” added Sara. “She and her kiddos are in a better place. Mom now checks in regularly to see if there’s any volunteering she can do or anything she can donate to the program to support. That really goes to show that if you put your heart into the families, they’ll bring it back to you.”

If you or someone you know is facing any hardship, please explore the resources listed below for support.

It’s a very merry time at Think Together. From volunteering at book doctor events to assembling holiday kits and celebrating literacy wins, our partners’ generous support has made this holiday season one to remember. 

Dodgers Foundation Hits a Home Run for Reading 

To celebrate the love of reading, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation teamed up with Think Together to host two LA Reads events at Morris Elementary Environmental Literacy Academy and Ruth Grimes Elementary School in San Bernardino County.  

Nearly 400 students across the two schools eagerly listened to Dodgers great Dennis Powell read Ann Higginbottom’s book, Bigger Than Me. Each student received Dodgers swag and left home with a copy of the book.  

Ross Stores Patches Up Books at Book Doctor Event 

Ross Stores held a book doctor event where 15 volunteers collected, cleaned, and sorted books to be distributed throughout Think Together program sites for students to enjoy this holiday season.  

Since 2023, Ross Stores Foundation has generously supported Think Together’s STEM programs serving more than 1,000 students at ten elementary and middle schools in Perris and Moreno Valley with a focus on coding, robotics and environmental science.  

Ross Stores is committed to supporting nonprofit organizations that help under-resourced youth with academic achievement, financial literacy and career readiness. 

Nossaman LLP Joins in the Holiday Cheer  

Joining in on the holiday fun, a dozen volunteers from Nossaman LLP conducted a book doctor event at their Los Angeles office. Roughly 250 books were collected, sorted, and patched up for distribution at Think Together sites throughout Los Angeles County.

Thanks to long-time Think Together board member Mary Lynn Coffee, an attorney with Nossaman LLP, who helped make this event happen! 

State Farm Spreads the Holiday Cheer  

State Farm is helping spread the holiday spirit early to Think Together students! Volunteers constructed 500 kits, each containing crayons, pencils, erasers, and coloring books inside. The kits will be distributed to elementary schools in San Jose. 

Assistance League of Tustin Builds Kits for The Holidays  

The Assistance League of Tustin chapter felt the holiday spirit and hosted a holiday kit build event at their Tustin headquarters. Volunteers assembled over 600 holiday themed kits that will go to Think Together students throughout Orange County.  

Think Together is proud to partner with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, State Farm, Ross Stores, the Assistance League of Tustin and Nossaman LLP to bring exciting events and spread holiday cheer to the students we serve every day. Follow Think Together on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter for more stories.  

Scooby Doo chants are just one part of Jacqueline Gonzalez’s strategy to keep program fun as a Site Program Manager at Geddes Elementary in the San Gabriel Valley region. She hosts an annual walk to end homelessness, strives to leave people feeling happier after every conversation and has helped hundreds of students excel at Think Together over the course of 17 years. Read below to learn the chant and hear about Jacqueline’s desired superpower.

You have been with Think Together for almost two decades, what continues to inspire your work?

The success of my students and their overall well-being is what inspires my work. I want to push my students to be the best they can be by offering educational opportunities, creativity, and collaboration. I think the work my team and I offer is so valuable because it not only provides high-quality programs and safe spaces for students, but assures parents their kids are in the best hands. One of my personal joys is seeing how excited the students are to be in program every day!  Changing and continuing to change the odds for kids is the greatest mission because every student deserves to have an opportunity, and I am lucky enough to see their happy faces each day.

What was the funniest work moment you have experienced that still makes you laugh today?

It was during an interview. My interviewee asked if I remember her, and she mentioned her daughter had been one of my students when I was a Program Leader. After I recognized her, she mentioned that she uses my attention getter, “When I say Scooby Dooby Do, you say where are you? When I say holy moly, you say holy moly guacamole!” She now works for Think Together and it makes me laugh to know that she still uses the same silly attention getter that I used with her daughter.

What has been your favorite/most proud project to have been a part of while at Think Together?

It would be our annual walk to end homelessness. Every year I look forward to this event because it’s a great cause but also my middle school students have the chance to see the world from a different perspective. Students and their families are so grateful we can come together as a community to be a part of such an amazing event and grow beyond the classroom.

What is one superpower you wish you could have that would benefit you at work? Why?

I wish I had the superpower to have endless creativity. I think this would benefit me at work because it would allow me to unblock old patterns or thinking habits. Creativity can connect reflection with action. I believe that creativity opens the mind, and it nurtures ideas to enrich young minds. It stimulates and motivates me in my career each day.

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

I have received such good advice over the years, but I have a few that I hold close. First you always want to love what you do. This is essential in my line of work because my love is directly shown through the success of program and student success. Also, spread love everywhere you go and to never let someone walk away without leaving them happier than before they came up to you.  I also strive to never be afraid to do the right thing and I hope to pass this along to my students as well.

If you weren’t an SPM or in the education field, what career would you be pursuing?

I always love helping others, so I always wanted to be a social worker. Being able to get the necessary resources for families in need and being an advocator for them is something I always had the passion to do.

Your career has allowed you to support students from early learning to young adults. What does this mean to you, and do you have any student stories that have stuck with you? 

One story that stands out to me is about a student I had years ago who struggled to get to our program every day. I ended up creating a plan with him to make sure he showed up and used all our resources. After persistence from both ends, he fell in love with our program and even became a part of my leadership team. Years went by and one day him and his mother came back to visit me wearing a Think Together shirt! I asked if he was now working with the organization and he replied “Yes, I can’t thank you enough for always pushing me to be better each day and be the best I can be.” His mother hugged me and thanked me for never giving up on him. Rarely do you get to see the results of your work in such a real way, but I am so glad I can cherish this moment forever.

Outside of work, what do you do for fun?  

On my free time, I love spending time with my family, shopping, and cooking Mexican food.

Think Together is proud to partner with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to expand access to early literacy and numeracy programs throughout its San Bernardino and Riverside County school sites.

For the 2024-2025 school year, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians invested $100,000 to help build foundational literacy skills for thousands of students in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Think Together staff receive training in the Systematic Instruction in Phonological Awareness, Phonics, and Sight Words (SIPPS) curriculum and serve students in transitional kindergarten (TK) through 2nd grade.

Their contribution provides technology in each classroom which allows staff to receive ongoing professional development, deliver lesson plans and assess students’ understanding of literacy and numeracy concepts.

“We are proud to partner with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to ensure that our staff are equipped with the tools and training necessary to create innovative, student-centered learning environments,” shared Sr. Director of Corporate Foundation Relations Lawrence Gustafson. “Their generous investment directly supports staff to empower our students to achieve proficiency in reading and math.”

Think Together’s early literacy programs serve TK-2nd grade students at 83 elementary schools, serving 40 students per school. Each site will receive two iPads, along with an additional 12 hours of SIPPS specific training. The goal is for each student to be proficient in ELA and math standards by third grade, which studies have shown that early access to literacy and numeracy can support this.

To accomplish such an ambitious goal, Think Together students and staff at Challenger School of Sports and Fitness in Victor Elementary School District were grouped into cohorts of three or four peers with priority attention from their program leaders.

“I have found it beneficial to teach my students to use SIPPS every day at program, with three to four students only, which allows them to listen, stay focused and implement it on their own without me there,” shared Program Leader Tatum Fernandez. “Because of the resources from San Manuel Band of Mission Indians we were able to utilize the SIPPS flash cards, practice vowels, and sight words to help them improve their reading since the beginning of the school year.”

An added benefit to students receiving such hands-on learning is that students are engaged while they learn to improve their reading and writing skills. Second-grade student Kaitlyn enjoys learning to spell with SIPPS. “Spelling is fun because it helps you learn to write and finish your sentences,” Kaitlyn shared.

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians supports programs that create pathways to a better future through education. This includes afterschool programs as well as S.T.E.A.M. education, college and career readiness, community-based music, and arts access as well as scholarship assistance.

Thank you to the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians for helping Think Together to change the odds for kids and provide much-needed literacy and number development for their futures. Follow Think Together on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X for more stories.