Think Together, Author at Think Together

Cultivating a safe and nurturing space is always key to making people feel seen and understood. For Think Together Site Program Manager Juliana, that place was and continues to be Think Together.

She began her journey with Think Together in the third grade, when her parents noticed Juliana needed extra support in her schoolwork due to a significant shift at home that was deeply affecting her. Juliana’s parents first language is Spanish, so it was difficult for them to provide her with the full support she needed to excel in school and Think Together became the best option for them.

It was then that Juliana forged a very special relationship with Corinna Mendoza, a Think Together Program Leader at her elementary school. After a heartfelt conversation with Corinna on Juliana’s first day in program, Juliana felt an instant change in herself.

“When I started, I gave all my teachers and program leaders a hard time. Once Ms. Mendoza had that one-on-one conversation with me, I felt seen, I felt heard,” Juliana said. “She saw my potential and she saw that I could do great things. So, the following day I had a whole 180. I wanted to show her that what she saw in me is not going to be in vain.”

From that point on, Juliana fell in love with the Think Together program and strived to make her Program Leader Corinna proud. Most days, Juliana would beg her mom not to pick her up until she was the very last student left in the afterschool program because she wanted to make the most of her time there.

As Juliana moved on to middle school, so did Corinna who was promoted to a site program manager role at Think Together and coincidently placed at the middle school Juliana attended! With the continued support of Corinna, it allowed Juliana’s academic journey to flourish.

“She went to my middle school promotion and my college graduation. She’s one of the reasons why I took the path to go to college. As a first-generation Mexican American, it’s a big accomplishment for me and my family. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be in the position I am today, which is why I hold Think Together so dear.”

Juliana discovered many new aspects of herself during her time with Think Together as a student. She found her love for sports and enjoyed learning about healthy living.

After leaving the program as a student, Juliana became a tutor within Think Together, then a program leader. As a program leader, she received Think Together’s Changing the Odds award, a great accomplishment within the organization that recognizes Think Together staff who go above and beyond. Juliana is now a site program manager at a school site in Think Together’s Santa Fe Springs region.

Many of her colleagues, especially Sam, who’s one of the program leaders at the site Juliana manages, are grateful to have such a supportive leader like Juliana who has both the students’ and staff’s best interest at heart.

“Juliana has given me room to explore the educational aspect of expanding students’ minds. She was the biggest supporter when it came down to the learning curve as a new program leader,” Sam shared.

Juliana only hopes to grow from where she is now. She strives to remain a line of support for the students she guides towards their academic success.

“I encourage my students to continue school and to do great things because I know they are capable of it. I see a lot of me in them and a lot of those students that are challenging,” Juliana said. “I hope that I’m able to give them that safe space in Think Together and encourage them just the way my program leader did.”

Think Together’s Partnership with California Academy of Sciences’ Science Action Club Sparks Change to School Campuses

Think Together’s partnership with California’s Academy of Sciences’ Science Action Club (SAC) has been featured in the Association of Science and Technology Center’s Dimensions digital magazine. Through our partnership, Think Together and SAC have been able to provide 350 Think Together 5^th grade sites the opportunity to embark in outdoor adventures and learn fascinating facts about topics that range from weather, insects and bird species.

SAC’s dedication to rally diverse communities across California to advocate for environmental causes and participate in community science, complemented Think Together’s mission to bring educational opportunities to children that will prepare them for college and career. We are delighted to provide this experience to our students and look forward to the impact it will make

Think Together School Partner Compton Unified School District Is Named Finalist in the World’s Best School Prize for Innovation

Think Together is honored to announce Davis Middle School from the Compton Unified School District has been named as a finalist in the World’s Best School Prize for Innovation by T4 Education. Davis Middle School is the only school in the United States that was included in the Top 10 for the Innovation category, joining other schools from Chile, Brazil, Italy and several other countries.

As a finalist, Davis Middle School is also competing for the #1 spot for the Community Choice Award for the World’s Best School and become a member of T4 Education’s Best School to Work program.

For over 14 years, Compton Unified School District has been one of Think Together’s district partners equally dedicated to creating an impact in its community. Their efforts have created waves of success for students throughout the school district, allowing for opportunities of growth to spread across multiple campuses.

Congratulations to Davis Middle School and Compton Unified School District!

Parenting OC Nominates Think Together as “Best After-School Program” for 23rd Annual Reader’s Choice Awards

The locals of Orange County have spoken and nominated Think Together for “Best After-School Program” for the 2024 Reader’s Choice Awards hosted by Parenting OC. This nomination is an honor as we continue to support underserved communities in Orange County and across California, making it our mission to expand our reach to as many children and families as possible.

Support Think Together by clicking here to vote!

Summer is here and Think Together is making it its mission to bring the summer fun into your home! Think Summer is filled with curriculum-based enrichment activities that actively engage the minds and encourage curiosity for our students. In the list below, you will find some of our Think Summer activities that you can easily do at home.

It’s a Solid…It’s a Liquid…No, it’s Oobleck!

Is it a solid or liquid? Think Summer students were fascinated by the mystery of oobleck. This simple mixture combines to make the perfect STEM experience where kids can learn to have fun with science. With an activity like this, kids can learn the difference between the distinct states of matter.

Materials You’ll Need:

1 Container
1/2 cup of corn starch
1/4 cup of water
Utensil to mix with

Instructions:

Pour 1/2 cup of corn starch into container.
Pour ¼ cup of water and mix with corn starch.
Continue mixing combination until smooth.
Have fun and enjoy!

Create Fan-tastic Paper Windmills

It’s heating up but Think Summer students kept their cool with their own windmill! This simple yet creative activity will help kids learn about the wind and how windmills work.

Materials You’ll Need:

Paper
Crayons or markers
Push pin
Straw
Scissors

Instructions:

Take a piece of paper and cut into a perfect square. Fold the paper into a triangle, taking one corner and lining it up to the other side. This will leave excess on one side that, once cut, gives you a square!
Use your imagination and create fun designs to both sides of the paper!
Fold your paper diagonally to create a perfect triangle and press lightly. Do the same to the opposite side. Once unfolded, there will be a perfect “X” on the page.
Cut halfway along creases, towards the center. Do not cut all the way.
Bend each corner to the center of the page. Do not fold.
Once all 4 corners are at the center, place straw behind the center and push the push pin to secure all corners.
All done! Enjoy the cool breeze of your very own windmill.

Time to Clean Up!

A fun beach trip can also be educational! This Think Summer we taught our students the importance of keeping our oceans clean, while also showing them the science behind why oil and water don’t mix.

Materials You’ll Need:

Clear container
Vegetable oil
Water
Spoon
Cotton Ball
Paper towel
Cotton Wool (Optional)
Sponge (Optional)

Instructions:

Fill a clear container halfway with water.
Drop a small amount of oil into the water and watch as the oil and water separate!
Use different materials to try and sperate the oil from the water. (Spoon, Cotton wool/ball, paper towel, and sponge.)
Pour dish soap into container and mix! Watch as the oil slowly begins to disappear.

Summer is a great time to relax and spend time with family and friends. It can also be a great time to learn new things, especially with students becoming more susceptible to the “summer slide”. The “summer slide” pertains to the loss of math and reading skills throughout summer break, which can cause subsequent skill loss each year. According to Scholastic, “…children in 3rd to 5th grades also showed that students lost, on average, about 20 percent of their school-year gains in reading and 27 percent of their school-year gains in math during summer break”.

Think Together aims to prevent the “summer slide” by partnering with our school district partners. Programs like Think Summer provide students with a safe space to learn and experience new things every day, even after school is out of session. As a result, students can go into the school year with confidence and fun memories to tell their friends!

“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, signifies 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 21^st 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, 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-5^th 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 6^th-12^th 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 two and a half 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-5^th grade students.

K-5_Social-Awareness_Juneteenth-Flag Download

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

6-12_Social-Awareness_What-is-Juneteenth Download

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The company has provided $500,000 in funding throughout its five-year partnership with Think Together supporting afterschool programs in its Los Angeles and Orange County school districts.

Long Beach, Calif. (June 12, 2024) Think Together, California’s leading nonprofit provider of afterschool, expanded learning, and school improvement programs, announced today that Boeing has awarded a $100,000 grant to support STEM, coding and robotics programs throughout Think Together afterschool programs in Los Angeles and Orange County school districts.

The grant renews Boeing’s investment in Think Together’s Coding For All initiative, which includes curriculum focused on visual and text-based code editing, rapid prototyping, STEM career explorations, Invention Adventures activities, and Hack Clubs for K-12 students.

“Forging partnerships with organizations like Think Together and supporting impactful initiatives like Coding For All helps enable future leaders in STEM to hone their skills, pursue their dreams and leverage their passion to launch a career,” said Adam Galia, Senior Government and Community Relations Specialist at Boeing.

Throughout its five-year partnership with Boeing, Think Together has served more than 12,000 students across 61 K-12 schools with coding and robotics programs starting in Compton Unified and Lynwood Unified School Districts before expanding its investment to include Bellflower Unified, Orange Unified and Paramount Unified School Districts. During the 2023-2024 school year, this equated to 3,660 students served with lesson plans, supplies and equipment needed to explore STEM subjects.

Think Together’s afterschool expanded learning programs are funded in part by After School Education and Safety (ASES) grants awarded by the California Department of Education and 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants secured from the U.S. Department of Education. California has the largest system of publicly backed expanded learning in the nation.

To curb learning loss and expand access to expanded learning, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, committed a record $5 billion investment by 2025 for afterschool programs as part of a historic $123 billion funding bill to support K-12 schools. Organizations like Think Together rely on public grants as well as private philanthropy to bring high-quality education programs from preschool to high school.

“We are grateful for partners like Boeing who believe education is the key to changing the odds for kids,” says Randy Barth, founder and CEO of Think Together. “STEM knowledge is integral to future success and Think Together is proud to offer that knowledge to students through our partnership.”

In addition to corporate charitable investments, Boeing employees have served as Think Together volunteers, offering their time and talent as science competition judges, career mentors and event speakers. Boeing invested $191 million in communities globally in 2023, including $15 million in California.

About Think Together

Think Together partners with schools and communities to pursue educational equity and excellence for all kids. As a nonprofit organization, Think Together innovates, implements, and scales academic solutions that change the odds for hundreds of thousands of California students. Think Together’s program areas include early learning, afterschool, school support services and leadership development for teachers and school administrators. For more information, call (888) 485-THINK or visit https://bit.ly/ThinkHome_.

About Boeing

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

Think Together is proud to announce that Boeing has once again awarded a $100,000 grant to support STEM, coding and robotics programs throughout Think Together afterschool programs in Los Angeles and Orange County school districts.

Throughout its five-year partnership with Think Together, Boeing has provided $500,000 in funding supporting afterschool programs in its Los Angeles and Orange County school districts.

“Forging partnerships with organizations like Think Together and supporting impactful initiatives like Coding For All, helps enable future leaders in STEM to hone their skills, pursue their dreams and leverage their passion to launch a career,” said Adam Galia, Senior Government and Community Relations Specialist at Boeing.

Boeing and Think Together have served more than 12,000 students across 61 K-12 schools with coding and robotics programs starting in Compton Unified and Lynwood Unified School Districts before expanding its investment to include Bellflower Unified, Orange Unified and Paramount Unified School Districts.

During the 2023-2024 school year, this equated to 3,660 students served with lesson plans, supplies and equipment needed to explore STEM subjects. This includes students like Noemi, an incoming Junior at Compton High School, who discovered her passion for coding and robotics as a student leader with Think Together’s drone club, supported by the Boeing grant.

Think Together is proud to partner with Boeing to continue to bring unlimited opportunities and resources to the students we serve to foster their horizons and get them more interested in potential STEM related careers.

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Over the past decade, Diana Reyes has worn many hats. She has been a Quality Assurance Coach, Site Coordinator and is now a Site Program Manager for the San Bernardino Northeast Region. The pride Diana takes in coaching her staff and maintaining program quality is the reason many students see her as a positive light. Read more about Diana Reyes!

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

I’m a former afterschool kid that grew up in the inner city of Boyle Heights. The housing projects I grew up in were infested with gangs, drugs, and violence. The afterschool program kept us out of harm’s way. It was a safe haven for us to be free, be kids, and have fun! The fact that I’m able to guide, teach, and be a pillar to my students and community keeps me motivated. It really is a full circle moment for me and continues to motivate me daily.

What is one thing you are proud of your team accomplishing this school year? What were some challenges, and what were some successes?

We faced a few challenges in the beginning of this school year. We had some staffing issues but luckily my team and I were able to rely on each other. My team managed to balance the shortage and rolled out new curriculum at the same time. I am so proud of my team, and the way we stick together. Champions!

Is there a student story that has stuck with you?

One student story that stuck with me is with a former student, Ashley. Ashley surprised me with a gift card and a devotional. She said that my positive influence inspired her to become a professional photographer. I’m very humbled and grateful that I was able to guide her in the right direction. Students coming back to tell me about their amazing career plans reminds me that what I am doing is making a difference.

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

Every day is a fresh start, work through your challenges and create new opportunities. The best view comes after the hardest climb. Working with students is not a science, there is no formula to make sure everything works out perfectly all the time. But these mantras help me stay on track and serve as a reminder for not just myself, but my staff and students.

Can you share any tips to maintaining a motivated and positive work environment with your team?

Stay open-minded and be solution oriented. Encourage your team, recognize, praise your team, celebrate wins, reflect, and debrief. Promote culture and keep the communication lines open!

How would you describe your role to someone who is thinking of becoming a Site Program Manager (SPM)? What tips would you give them to prepare for this role?

As an SPM you wear many hats. You must be comfortable not being comfortable (sometimes). Consistency, hard work, and dedication all go hand-in hand. Be open to ideas from your team and build relationships with stakeholders, parents, staff, and the community. Most of all, be the change you want to see.

Outside of work, what do you do for fun? 

I spend time with my family! I have three wonderful boys and I’m blessed to be their momma. #boymom

Another year down, another class of bright seniors join our ranks of amazing alumni!

Every year, Think Together guides hundreds of high school seniors towards graduation and equips them with the tools they need to excel after leaving the program. Whether that be pursuing a higher education, joining the workforce, or any other aspirations our students might have to pursue.

Get to know some of our distinguished alumni and all the amazing things they’re up to now.

Building the Way as a Future Engineer

One of Think Together’s 2021 Good to Great scholarship recipient and guest speaker at our 2023 Inland Empire Education and Workforce Readiness Summit, alumni Diego has continued to shine bright.

He’s currently a junior at the University of California, Irvine where he’s studying mechanical engineering.

As co-director of UCI’s Engineering Student Council outreach committee, he has mentored local middle and high school students by sharing what the engineering field is like.

Diego is also part of the Anteater Formula Racing Team, where a group of students design an F1 racing car and compete alongside 100 other universities across the U.S.

Diego attributes many of his mentorship qualities and leadership skills to Think Together and encourages current students to take advantage of the resources provided.

“Think Together is a great organization, not only for the connection that you’ll have with your friends, but also how it builds you as well,” Diego said. “I was able to start my school’s first Think Together Hack Club, so being able to run those meetings built my public speaking skills and my confidence as well.”

Leading the Way as a Leader

From Think Together student to now site program manager within the organization, alumni Gabriela is continuing to change the odds!

She was a Think Together 2021 Faces of the Future scholarship recipient and started as a program leader in Think Together’s Northeast San Bernardino region.

Gabriela has now moved up to manage the same school site she began in as a program leader! She is also currently studying criminology at Chaffey College.

She recounts that much of her personal and professional growth was due to the mentorship and support she received during her time as a Think Together student, and now as a staff member.

“I have more experience on how to talk professionally, how to work with adults, be more organized, and show more leadership skills,” Gabriela said. “I decided to become a Think Together staff member because I enjoy the environment and how students get to experience many extracurricular activities that they don’t get to do during the regular school day.”

Gabriela aspires to climb up the ladder within Think Together and possibly one day work closely alongside our founder and CEO, Randy Barth.

Changing the Odds for Communities

Gabriel has jumped to new levels since graduating from Think Together’s after school program. He is a junior at Dartmouth College studying political science and philosophy.

Gabriel has developed a passion for dismantling disparity within under resourced, low-income communities. It has led him to pursue internships within organizations like Rising Communities and the Dartmouth Sustainability Center.

While he was a Think Together student, Gabriel always advocated for new club opportunities for his peers. Now, he continues the work in intern roles like at Rising Communities, where he mentored other students. Gabriel lives out his title as one of the Think Together 2022 Faces of the Future scholarship recipient.

Gabriel credits his work establishing himself as an independent individual to Think Together’s support!

“Think Together really gave me those skills you need for independence. Like decision making skills and critical thinking skills, things that you use in your everyday life, especially as a first-generation college student. Being in Think Together really helped me cultivate those skills that I needed to be successful and be able to make right decisions.”

Working Towards a Brighter Future

Kaiya, one of Think Together’s 2023 Good to Great Scholarship recipient, is continuing to pursue her dreams and is working toward getting her bachelor’s degree in social work at California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Despite only being a freshman, Kaiya has big plans for her future: to graduate with a master’s degree in social work. She is following in the footsteps of her mom who currently works as a social worker.

Kaiya says that many of the tools she needed to succeed in college she learned during her time at Think Together, especially the support she received from her site program manager Ms. Stacey.

“Think Together to me is family. Ms. Stacey was my site program manager all throughout middle school and she ended up working at the high school that I was at for the first two years I was there,” Kaiya said. “During COVID when we were doing things together online, she was a big support. I was able to get my food handlers and my driver’s education through the program, both of which were a huge help.”

She has been transitioning into her first year of college with no hassle and has been getting accustomed to college life. Since Kaiya has cultivated a passion for uplifting communities, she has been interested in joining clubs on campus that provide support to those in need.

Paving the Way for Women in STEM

Alumni and a Think Together 2022 Faces of the Future scholarship recipient, Katrina is following in the medical science footsteps of her family, as a sophomore bioengineering major at the University of California, Riverside.

Since graduating from the Think Together program, Katrina has created big goals for herself to one day work in the medical supply manufacturing industry and obtain a master’s degree in a STEM field.

Katrina values the networking skills she cultivated during her time as a Think Together student and the leadership qualities she acquired while being an intern within the student leadership program for Think Together.

“Think Together to me was like my family and my friends. They helped me prepare for university and for my potential career, not just academically but on a social level. Networking is probably the most important thing to do and being able to communicate,” Katrina said. “That’s what Think Together really emphasized because it wasn’t just about helping each other with homework or clubs, but also being able to interact with each other.”

Katrina is excited for what lies ahead of her and can’t wait to build her career in the bioengineering world and hopes to work directly in the field, rather than be behind a desk.

Think Together is honored to have lit the path for each of these students and the many more who have gone before and will come after them. We are excited to see where the bright futures take them! We wish them all the best as they build their careers and accomplish their goals.

Schools are communities for students, educators and parents to come together and form a safe place of learning and acceptance. Schools are a place where 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 5^th 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.

Think Together also works with curriculum partners like Fulcrum to supply students with social emotional learning (SEL) activities that support the importance of self-expression, trust, collaboration, encouragement and much more. Fulcrum provides students with physical activities that build confidence and opportunities for connection.

6^th grade to 8^th grade

Middle school students are in a stage when they are starting to figure out who they are and they are likely going through changes they may not fully understand.

One way to help them feel more comfortable and supported is to create a kindness wall that has positive affirmations for their peers to read. 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.

9^th grade to 12^th grade

High school students tend to be more expressive and have learned to create a set of personal values and opinions that reflect who they are. High school can be a bumpy rollercoaster with emotional twists and turns, so it’s important to remind students to love and accept themselves.

A meaningful and engaging 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 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!

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Since 2015, State Farm has supported the Think Together DriveSafe Program and Workforce Readiness and Education Program at four high schools in Los Angeles and Riverside counties. At two schools in Perris, one in Azusa and one in La Puente, high school students learn safe driving habits, earn their learner’s permit and participate in skill-based workshops that help develop crucial employability skills.

Students participate in the 8-week DriveSafe program with Think Together Older Youth Leaders teaching students general driving responsibilities, signs and signals, and the effects of alcohol and drugs while driving. Upon passing the post-assessment, students are eligible to participate in the Driver’s Education program. Students are eligible to take their permit test at the DMV at the end of both components.

“From Car Seat to Driver’s Seat ™ State Farm® is committed to keeping everyone safe on our roadways,” said Sarah Johnson, Corporate Responsibility Analyst at State Farm.” Our support of the Think Together DriveSafe Program is another way to positively influence teens’ behaviors behind the wheel.”

One of the program sites, Bassett High School, has excellent turnout for program attendance and enrollment. “The DriveSafe program gives us great knowledge of the road and makes me feel more prepared to drive,” said Isaiah, an 11th grader at Bassett High School.

The leadership at Bassett High School has noticed that the program has benefited students by helping them build connections and receive information beyond the driver’s handbook.

Older Youth Leader Angel, who conducts the program, feels this opportunity gives the students great agency. “From my personal experience, being able to interact with the students and teach additional information beyond what the driver’s manual teaches is impactful in teaching them the skills needed to be safe drivers,” shared Angel.

Angel uses slideshows and pictures during lessons and speaks about personal experiences driving to give students a holistic perspective on driving on the roads.

Not only can the students learn the educational side of driving, but they can also gain personal connections from the program’s experience.

“The program has given students the flexibility to complete it at their own pace, as well as allowing kids who normally don’t interact with each other a chance to build relationships,” mentioned Site Program Manager Elizabeth Portugal.

State Farm is proud to support the Think Together driver’s education and the Workforce Readiness and Education Program (WREP) to Think Together high school students at the high schools previously mentioned. WREP provides skill-based workshops to over 200 Think Together students across four high schools, including internships, support from Think Together staff in the application process, interview skills, and resume help. DriveSafe will help put safer teen drivers on the road, as studies show that teen drivers who have not completed driver’s education are 16 percent more likely to have a crash. A permit will grant the autonomy needed to participate in community internships and commute to jobs and other commitments.

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