Think Together Honors Colton Joint Unified School District as One of Its 2024 Champion of Change Award Recipient

Think Together and Colton Joint Unified School District have partnered since 2010, serving 22 schools in the district.

Santa Ana, Calif. (May 2, 2024)Think Together, California’s leading nonprofit provider of afterschool, expanded learning and school improvement programs, is proud to announce it has recognized Colton Joint Unified School District with its Champion of Change Award at a reception held at the district’s board meeting on May 2.

Over its 14-year partnership with Think Together, Colton Joint Unified has integrated various community partners into Think Together’s expanded learning programs. The programs introduce students to music through Drums Speaks©️ and Dhasa Care Foundation, theater through L.A. Arts Group, as well as competitive sports through organizations like the LA84 Foundation.

“This year’s Champion of Change Award we are very proud to present to Colton Joint Unified School District. Colton Joint Unified has been innovative in all the things they offer students,” said Randy Barth, Founder and CEO of Think Together. “They have expanded access to ASES programs, made 39 non-instructional days possible, and done all kinds of different enrichment. From theater to STEM to sports, and they have even embraced high dosage tutoring to help address the learning loss from the pandemic.”

Colton Joint Unified offers expanded learning programs to each of its 3,766 students free of charge by tapping into a range of funding streams including, but not limited to, Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) grants and After School Education and Safety (ASES) funding. Think Together partners with districts like Colton Joint Unified to offer families a variety of programs that fit their unique needs.

“Colton has the unique ability to see a challenge and face it. They come in and make sure that not just every student has what they need, but every staff member as well. With the expanded learning opportunity, Think Together has been able to expand our out -of -school time to nine hours and offer more seats to students,” said Rhonda Scott, Think Together’s General Manager for the San Bernardino Northeast region.

Think Together’s Champion of Change Award celebration was a reception held as one of several events this spring to support Think Together expanded learning programs across the state.

“It just brings so much joy to my heart to see what Think Together does for our community by providing opportunities where students can be happy and learn,” said Colton Joint Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Frank Miranda. “I’m very happy with Think Together, and as long as I am superintendent, we are going to continue to offer these programs to our community.”

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About Think Together 

For over 25 years, Think Together has partnered with schools to change the odds for kids. As a nonprofit organization, Think Together innovates, implements and scales academic solutions to take today’s education leaders to the next level and contribute to a future where every student graduates with all life options available to them. What started as a single neighborhood afterschool site, now serves more than 200,000 students in over 675 schools, from San Jose to Palm Springs. Through multi-pronged approach, Think Together’s program areas include early learning, afterschool, school support services and leadership development for teachers and school administrators. For more information, call (888) 485-THINK or visit www.thinktogether.org.

This month, Think Together is proud to recognize Colton Joint Unified School District (CJUSD) as one of its 2024 Champion of Change award recipients.

Through 14 years of partnership, Colton Joint Unified and Think Together have worked together to leverage public funding, like Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P) grants and After School Education and Safety (ASES) funding to provide enhanced program offerings to 3,766 students in 22 schools across the district. Colton Joint has also received 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding at nine school sites within the district as well.

In addition to implementing Think Together programs in the district, Colton Joint Unified also supports the integration of community partners into Think Together’s afterschool and expanded learning programs, allowing more students to have access to innovative learning opportunities.

“The Champion of Change Award for Think Together is given to partners that go above and beyond leveraging their resources to really make a huge impact and difference for their kids,” said Randy Barth, founder and CEO of Think Together. “This year, we’re proud to present this award to Colton Joint Unified School District for their innovative approach to scaling academic and enrichment programs so more kids can pursue their greatness.”

Think Together students in Colton Joint Unified are being introduced to music through Drums Speaks©️ and Dhasa Care Foundation, theater through L.A. Arts Group, as well as competitive sports through organizations like the LA84 Foundation.

Within the district, Think Together runs TK-Kindergarten, traditional afterschool programs and non-instructional day sessions for summer, winter, and spring breaks. In addition to academic support, students are developing social-emotional learning skills, music composition, active listening and teamwork.

Salvador, dad to Think student Abrianna, has noticed positive changes in his daughter once she started attending Think Together in Colton Joint Unified. His son was enrolled in Think Together prior to his daughter, so Salvador can tell firsthand the positive difference having two kids in Think Together has made for his family.

“She gets her homework done. She doesn’t have to worry about that when she gets home,” shares Salvador. “Her drive. She’s very motivated anyways, but I think it just gives her a way that she doesn’t have to rely on us. She’s relying on herself to get things done.”

Brenda, a single mom, attributes her daughters’, Truly and Lyra, newfound spirit to their school’s Think Together program in Colton Joint. Their father passed away five years ago, resulting in an understandable shift in their moods, but Brenda says they are now more open since attending program and have made many new friends.

Through the partnership between Think Together and Colton Joint Unified, the district has been able to expand their daily program of before and after school to a total of nine hours at certain school sites.

“It just brings so much joy to my heart to see what Think Together does for our community by providing opportunities where students can be happy and learn,” said Colton Joint Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Frank Miranda. “I’m very happy with Think Together, and as long as I am superintendent, we are going to continue to offer these programs to our community.”

Watch the video below to see how Colton Joint Unified School District is changing the odds for kids with Think together.

YouTube player

The month of May is dedicated to celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage. The reason May was chosen to celebrate Asian Pacific American communities is because in May of 1843, the first Japanese people immigrated to the United States. And, Golden Spike Day, which commemorates the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 that was largely built by Chinese workers, is also celebrated during this month.

Every year the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) designates a theme to the month, and this year they’ve chosen “Advancing Leaders Through Innovation” to commemorate the trailblazers of the Asian Pacific American community that have influenced history. The theme is a continuation of the “Advancing Leaders” series that began in 2021.

Please join Think Together in uplifting these innovative leaders, the history of these communities and the influence they’ve had on American culture.

The Origins of AANHPI Month

AANHPI month started as AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) with Chinese American Jeanie Jew, who was a former Capitol Hill staffer. It was a personal mission for her to advocate for Asian Pacific representation. Her great-grandfather immigrated from China in the 19th century and had contributed to the building of the transcontinental railroad. He was later killed due to growing anti-Asian sentiment when the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was passed. Jeanie saw this injustice with not only her family history, but others of the same cultural community.

AAPI month started as a week-long celebration in 1978, when President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation for Asian Pacific American Heritage Week. It wasn’t until 1992 that May was officially designated as a celebration for AAPI heritage. The Asian Pacific community encompasses diverse cultures that expand all over the continent of Asia and the Pacific Ocean, including India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and many more. The Native Hawaiian community was added to the group in 2021 by the Biden administration.

Asian American Innovators and Leaders

An Asian American trailblazer in the U.S. Senate is Ladda Tammy Duckworth, who is the first disabled woman and second Asian American woman to be elected to Congress. She is Thai American and is an Iraqi War Veteran that lost both her legs and partial use of her arm when she was flying a helicopter that was hit by an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) in 2004. In 2009, she was appointed as Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs by President Obama and currently serves as a senator for the state of Illinois. Senator Duckworth also made history again in 2018 when she announced she was expecting a baby, making her the first senator to give birth while holding office.

Another innovative individual from the Asian American community is Indian-born American computer architect Ajay Bhatt. He invented the Universal Serial Bus or what it’s most widely known as, USB, in 1996. He was an employee at Intel when he came up with the design for USB, and the idea came to him when his wife had difficulty printing something for their daughter. Today it is considered a universal standard plug-in and is used in a range of electronic products that power our daily lives.

Skating her way through glass ceilings is Asian American Judi Oyama, who’s a revered leader for female skateboarders. She is a California native who rose through the ranks of the male dominated pro-skater world in the 70s and was the only female competitor at the inaugural Capitola Classic in 1977. She was a teenager when she competed and ended up finishing in eighth place. In 2015, Oyama was the first woman to ever win the N-Men Icon Award, which is given to Northern California skaters who’ve left an impact in the sport. She was also the former Vice President of Board Rescue – an organization that provides skateboards and safety equipment to organizations that work with underprivileged and/or at-risk kids.

Breaking barriers in the field of literature is Laotian American poet Bryan Thao Worra. He is leading the way for his community as the first Laotian American to receive a Fellowship in Literature from the National Endowment for the Arts. Worra was also selected to represent Laos as a Cultural Olympian during the 2012 London Summer Olympics’ Poetry Parnassus. He is an advocate for the Laotian American community and has worked to uplift other Asian Pacific American writers.

A recent win for the Asian Pacific American community occurred in 2022 when Sokhary Chau became the first Cambodian American to be elected as mayor in the U.S. He holds office in Lowell, Massachusetts, which is home to the nation’s second-largest Cambodian community; Long Beach, California is the first. Chau and his family left Cambodia during Khmer Rouge’s genocidal rule and settled in Lowell in the 80s.

Native Hawaiian Innovators and Leaders

Before it came a worldwide sport, surfing—or “he’e nalu” in Hawaiian — was a common cultural practice and can be dated back more than 2,000 years to ancient Polynesia. Duke Kahanamoku, a renowned gold medal Olympic swimmer, popularized the sport when he won in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. He demonstrated surfing in places like Australia and the U.S. where it took off and gained headway around the 1930s to 1940s. Today surfing continues to influence not only action sports, but worldwide tourism trends and environmental awareness.

Hawaii has many ancient roots, one of them being hula. With colonization, many traditions have been lost and forgotten, but it was Native Hawaiians like ʻIolani Luahine who fought for the ancient traditions to be revived in the 20th century. She was known as the “high priestess of ancient hula” and created schools dedicated to teaching the ancient art of hula. ‘Iolani is credited with reviving hula kahiko, which is the ancient style of hula dance, for future generations and preserving Hawaiian culture.

Before the abolishment of the Hawaiian monarchy, there were royals like Princess Pauahi. She was a notable philanthropist that established the Kamehameha School system to improve future generations of Native Hawaiians, academically and culturally. Upon her death in 1884, the schools were founded as they were one of her wishes she left behind in her will. Today, the Kamehameha Schools have grown into a statewide educational system serving more than 48,000 learners annually at 30 preschool sites, K-12 campuses on Hawaii, Maui and Oahu and a range of community outreach programs.

Pacific Islander Innovators and Leaders

A notable trailblazer who opened the door to the Pacific Islander community in literature was Sia Figiel, the first Samoan woman to be a published author in the U.S. It was her first novel, “Where We Once Belonged” that gained her notoriety in the states when it was published in 1996. Figiel’s novel depicts a coming-of-age story that surrounds the topics of gender, identity, and Samoan tradition of 13-year-old Alofa Filiga. Much of her writing is derived from traditional Samoan storytelling and she has garnered many awards.

In 2023, the Pacific Islander community celebrated another win when 18-year-old Iam Tongi became the first Pacific Islander to win American Idol. He is of Tongan and Samoan decent and secured the win with his original song, I’ll Be Seeing You”. Many other artists in the Pacific Islander community have praised Tongi’s win for bringing national recognition to Islander music. He dedicated his win to his father, who died a few months before his first audition.

Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen is another leader in the Pacific Islander community. She is the first woman to hold a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives from American Samoa and the first woman of Samoan descent to be part of the Republican Party in Congress. Part of her legislative efforts have been to effectively pass the American Samoa Economic Development Credit (ASEDC) in 2017. The legislation established economic growth and job stability for almost 3,000 workers in the American Samoa tuna industry. Congresswoman Radewagen has also led efforts to nominate a high percentage of woman to military service academies.

Fun Facts about the AANHPI Communities

Contrary to popular belief, fortune cookies are not actually Chinese. They are from Japan and aren’t a common staple in China. Japanese immigrants first brought the cookies over in the early 20th century to San Francisco, from there key events played a role in shifting the cookies to Chinese restaurants. Once Japanese immigrants were sent to internment camps in 1942, their businesses closed giving Chinese immigrants the chance to adopt the fortune cookie we know today. We know the fortune cookie as having a vanilla taste, but it was originally larger and made with sesame and miso paste, having a savory taste rather than sweet.

Many years ago, Polynesian voyagers would make journeys across the Pacific Ocean to trade goods and establish relationships with neighboring islands. One of these voyages led to the influence of the lei in Hawaii. It was introduced to Native Hawaiians by early Polynesian voyagers from Tahiti. A lei is a garland or wreath made of flowers, leaves, shells, seeds, nuts, or feathers and it was occasionally given between chiefs to symbolize a peace agreement. The lei can mean many things like love, honor and respect, and it’s important to always remember proper “lei etiquette.” It can be considered rude if someone is to immediately take it off once given, since it can be a gift of admiration. Today, Hawaii tourists are adorned with leis once they arrive to the islands and Native Hawaiians will throw leis into volcanoes to honor Pele, the volcano goddess.

Moving further across the Pacific Ocean, South Asia is home to the largest human population in a single country, which is India with 1. 43 billion people, China comes in at a close second with 1.42 billion people. Having such a vast population has led India to reach many milestones, one of those being the birthplace of four major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. India also has many spiritual practices, a popular one being yoga which is derived from the Sanskrit word “yuj” meaning “to unite” and is over 5,000 years old, making it one of the oldest physical disciplines in the world. While the physical aspect of yoga is the most practiced, it is only one of the eight limbs of yoga. There is Yama (ethical conduct), Niyama (personal practice), Asana (physical practice), Pranayama (breathwork), Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), Dharana (meditation), Dhyana (being present), and Samadhi (interbeing).

The Asian Pacific American community is a vast group, filled with rich and diverse heritages. We have only highlighted a fraction of all the innovating leaders and history. Think Together makes it our mission to provide expanded learning opportunities to diverse students across the state of California and ensure bright futures are created. Please join us in keeping the learning going and experiencing new cultures!

Want to learn more? Explore the links below to continue to expand your knowledge on all the amazing contributions and milestones the AANHPI communities have made in history!

More than 2,000 summer learning curriculum kits will benefit students across the state this summer.

Santa Ana, Calif. (April 30, 2024)-Think Together, California’s leading nonprofit provider of school improvement, expanded learning and afterschool programs, held a donor and volunteer engagement event where 2,000 curriculum kits were assembled to enhance summer learning for over 20,000 students.  

In lieu of hosting an annual fundraiser gala, Think Together gave donors the hands-on opportunity to engage with Think Together’s mission to change the odds for kids. Over a two-day event, volunteers assembled kits that will directly support Think Summer curriculum, which will allow students to design, engineer solutions, learn from one another and bring their ideas to life.  

More than 100 volunteers from organizations such as TopGolf, National Charity League, State Farm, Cox, Deloitte, Pacific Life, Poppy Bank, Soroptomists of Orange, West Coast Dental, Farmers Merchant Bank, University Synagogue, and Marsh & McLennan Insurance assembled summer learning enrichment kits with supplies for activities in STEAM, English language arts, physical education and visual arts.  

“We see time and time again the significant benefits of summer learning programs for students,” said Randy Barth, Think Together Founder and CEO. “Too often, breaks are filled with kids spending extended time in front of screens and pulled out of routine which is not beneficial in the long-term for student success.” 

During the summer, research suggests that students in underserved communities can lose up to three months of progress from the previous academic year compared to their wealthier peers. But summer can also be a time to help level the playing field through high-quality, summer learning programs that produce measurable benefits in math, reading and social and emotional learning.  

Starting as early as mid-May, Think Together will partner with school districts to run 4–6-week summer learning programs filled with enriching lessons, field trips and opportunities to keep connected to friends. Think Together’s approach combines fun with learning, giving students opportunities to learn new skills and stay sharp on others before school starts again in the fall.   

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About Think Together   

For over 25 years, Think Together has partnered with schools to change the odds for kids. As a nonprofit organization, Think Together innovates, implements and scales academic solutions to take today’s education leaders to the next level and contribute to a future where every student graduates with all life options available to them. What started as a single neighborhood afterschool site, now serves more than 200,000 students in over 675 schools, from San Jose to Palm Springs. Through multi-pronged approach, Think Together’s program areas include early learning, afterschool, school support services and leadership development for teachers and school administrators. For more information, call (888) 485-THINK or visit www.thinktogether.org.   

In partnership with Think Together and the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce, the fourth annual summit tackled post-pandemic issues still impacting education and workforce readiness. 

ONTARIO, CALIF. (Apr. 24, 2024) – Think Together, California’s leading nonprofit provider of afterschool, expanded learning, and school improvement programs, in partnership with the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce, hosted its fourth annual Inland Empire Education and Workforce Summit at the Ontario Airport Hotel and Conference Center on April 24.  

The annual summit convenes educators, business leaders and elected officials to discuss key strategies for bridging the gap between education and the workforce, and creating a platform where innovative solutions can be explored to ensure the success of students and the prosperity of the community.  

The summit opened with Dr. Alex McDonald from Kaiser Permanente, to share how healthcare intersects with education and workforce development. Kaiser Permanente sponsored the summit and has a strong history of supporting initiatives that work to improve whole health outcomes for the communities it serves. 

“At Kaiser Permanente, we understand that the link between health and education is fundamental to achieving positive outcomes for students,” said Dr. Douglas Mack, Chief of Physical Medicine, Kaiser Permanente San Bernardino County. “By addressing health disparities and promoting wellness initiatives, we not only support academic success but also empower students to thrive in all aspects of their lives.” 

Randy Barth, Founder and CEO of Think Together, then introduced Jusbith Aguayo, a student speaker from Eisenhower High School, who shared her inspiring journey and highlighted the impact of educational support programs on students’ lives.  

“As we continue to face the complexities posed by the pandemic, it’s important to recognize the transformational power education and community have in shaping the future of our students,” said Barth. “Jusbith’s story is a testament to the profound impact these initiatives can have on individuals and communities alike when overcoming barriers to success.” 

Following her testimonial, Barth led an expert panel of education, workforce and healthcare leaders to discuss how education can support and prepare students for success in the workforce while continuing to face challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as academic performance, social emotional learning and mental health issues. Participants included: 

  • Dr. Angelo Farooq, Chairman at California Workforce Development Board 
  • Dr. Carol Tsushima, Administrator of Workforce SBCSS at San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools 
  • Dr. Scott Price, Chief Business Official at Riverside County Office of Education 
  • Dr. Douglas Mack, Chief of Physical Medicine, and Rehabilitation Specialist at Kaiser Permanente 
  • Connie Leyva, Executive Director of KVCR & FNX 

To round out the summit, California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond gave this year’s keynote address, emphasizing the importance of equitable access to quality education and the need for continued collaboration between educators, policymakers, and community stakeholders. 

The California state budget allocated more than $4 billion to support the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P), allowing schools to offer no-cost afterschool, before-school and school-break programs to traditionally under-resourced students. ELO-P programs have been embraced by public schools throughout the state to give students and families added out-of-school time support. 

After the devastating effects of the pandemic on children and families, the state championed ELO-P grants to help support students most impacted by the pandemic. However, these grants support expanded learning programs for K-8 students. High Schools utilize 21st Century Community Learning Center grants to provide expanded learning opportunities, such as Think Together’s Workforce Readiness Education Program (WREP), Driver’s Education and STEM clubs for high school students.  

Private and community-based programs play a vital role in supplementing these efforts, offering a diverse range of enrichment activities, mentorship opportunities, and academic support tailored to the unique needs of high school students.  

“Afterschool programs that expose students to career-ready learning experiences create a critical bridge between school-day learning and future success, said State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond. “That’s why I have championed investments in apprenticeship programs, paid internships, and workforce readiness programs. When our afterschool programs directly link to the real world, we connect our students to real success.” 

Those looking to get involved with Think Together can visit: www.thinktogether.org

About Think Together 

For over 25 years, Think Together has partnered with schools to change the odds for kids. As a nonprofit organization, Think Together innovates, implements and scales academic solutions to take today’s education leaders to the next level and contribute to a future where every student graduates with all life options available to them. What started as a single neighborhood afterschool site, now serves more than 200,000 students in over 675 schools, from San Jose to Palm Springs. Through a multi-pronged approach, Think Together’s program areas include early learning, afterschool, school support services and leadership development for teachers and school administrators. For more information, call (888) 485-THINK or visit www.thinktogether.org

About the 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. 

California State Superintendent of Instruction Tony Thurmond Tapped as Keynote Speaker at Inland Empire Education and Workforce Summit 

Think Together, in partnership with the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce, hosted its fourth annual Inland Empire Education and Workforce Summit at the Ontario Airport Hotel and Conference Center on April 24.  

The annual summit brought nearly 200 educators, business leaders and elected officials together to discuss key strategies for bridging the gap between education and the workforce, and creating a platform where innovative solutions can be explored to ensure the success of students and the prosperity of the community.  

The summit opened with Dr. Alex McDonald from Kaiser Permanente, to share how healthcare intersects with education and workforce development. Kaiser Permanente sponsored the summit and had a strong history of supporting initiatives that work to improve whole health outcomes for the communities it serves. 

“At Kaiser Permanente, we understand that the link between health and education is fundamental to achieving positive outcomes for students,” said Dr. Douglas Mack, Chief of Physical Medicine, Kaiser Permanente San Bernardino County. “By addressing health disparities and promoting wellness initiatives, we not only support academic success but also empower students to thrive in all aspects of their lives.” 

Randy Barth, Founder and CEO of Think Together, then introduced Jusbith Aguayo, a student speaker from Eisenhower High School, who shared her inspiring journey and highlighted the impact of educational support programs on students’ lives.  

Jusbith’s story is truly inspiring. Having immigrated to the United States in her early teens, she experienced tremendous academic and personal growth. Having joined Think Together in her middle school years, she found her voice and built invaluable skills for the future through participation in the Work Force Readiness Program and other various clubs.

“As we continue to face the complexities posed by the pandemic, it’s important to recognize the transformational power education and community have in shaping the future of our students,” said Barth. “Jusbith’s story is a testament to the profound impact these initiatives can have on individuals and communities alike when overcoming barriers to success.” 

Following her testimonial, Barth led an expert panel of education, workforce, and healthcare leaders to discuss how education can support and prepare students for success in the workforce while continuing to face challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as academic performance, social emotional learning and mental health issues. Participants included: 

  • Dr. Angelo Farooq, Chairman at California Workforce Development Board 
  • Dr. Carol Tsushima, Administrator of Workforce SBCSS at San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools 
  • Dr. Scott Price, Chief Business Official at Riverside County Office of Education 
  • Dr. Douglas Mack, Chief of Physical Medicine, and Rehabilitation Specialist at Kaiser Permanente 
  • Connie Leyva, Executive Director of KVCR & FNX 

To round out the summit, California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond gave this year’s keynote address, emphasizing the importance of equitable access to quality education and the need for continued collaboration between educators, policymakers, and community stakeholders. 

“Afterschool programs that expose students to career-ready learning experiences create a critical bridge between school-day learning and future success, said State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond. “That’s why I have championed investments in apprenticeship programs, paid internships, and workforce readiness programs. When our afterschool programs directly link to the real world, we connect our students to real success.” 

The California state budget allocated more than $4 billion to support the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P), allowing schools to offer no-cost afterschool, before-school and school-break programs to traditionally under-resourced students. ELO-P programs have been embraced by public schools throughout the state to give students and families added out-of-school time support. 

After the devastating effects of the pandemic on children and families, the state championed ELO-P grants to help support students most impacted by the pandemic. However, these grants support expanded learning programs for K-8 students. High Schools utilize 21st Century Community Learning Center grants to provide expanded learning opportunities, such as Think Together’s Workforce Readiness Education Program (WREP), Driver’s Education and STEM clubs for high school students.  

Private and community-based programs play a vital role in supplementing these efforts, offering a diverse range of enrichment activities, mentorship opportunities, and academic support tailored to the unique needs of high school students.  

YouTube player

In lieu of hosting an annual fundraiser gala, Think Together gave donors the hands-on opportunity to engage with Think Together’s mission to change the odds for kids. Over a two-day event, volunteers assembled kits that will directly support Think Summer curriculum, which will allow students to design, engineer solutions, learn from one another and bring their ideas to life.    

On April 19 and April 20, 100 volunteers from organizations such as TopGolf, National Charity League, State Farm, Cox, Deloitte, Pacific Life, Poppy Bank, Soroptomists of Orange, West Coast Dental, Farmers Merchant Bank, University Synagogue, and Marsh & McLennan Insurance assembled summer learning enrichment kits with supplies for activities in STEAM, English language arts, physical education and visual arts.   

One lesson students will learn over the summer is “For Your Amusement.” In this lesson, students will create a prototype for an innovative carnival ride or game as part of a larger themed amusement park collaboratively designed by their program group. 

“This event format was exciting to see come to life. Through this event, our donors and volunteers get to assemble supplies that will be directly used in classrooms across the state to engage student minds over the summer break,” shared Dianne Chaves, Think Together’s Senior Director of Programs & Innovations.  

During the summer, research suggests that students in underserved communities can lose up to 3 months of progress from the previous academic year compared to their wealthier peers. But summer can also be a time to help level the playing field through high-quality, summer learning programs that produce measurable benefits in math, reading and social and emotional learning.  

“We see time and time again the significant benefits of summer learning programs for students,” says Randy Barth, Think Together’s Founder and CEO. “Too often, breaks are filled with kids spending extended time in front of screens and pulled out of routine which is not beneficial in the long-term for student success.” 

Starting as early as mid-May, Think Together will partner with school districts to run 4-6 week summer learning programs filled with enriching lessons, field trips and opportunities to keep connected to friends. Think Together’s approach combines fun with learning, giving students opportunities to learn new skills and stay sharp on others before school starts again in the fall. 

Did you know that April is Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month? This month-long celebration was officially proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1982 to promote leaders in the STEM fields who use complex math to solve some of the world’s greatest mathematical problems. To commemorate this month, Think Together is celebrating two new STEM curriculum partnerships who work with our organization to provide students with enriching learning experiences.

One of those partners is STEM to the Future, which is a nonprofit organization with the mission to “inspire, motivate and support Black and brown elementary and middle school youth as they create the futures they want and deserve.” Think Together students are being introduced to STEM concepts while also thinking about real-world problems and opportunities that affect their local communities. Our third through fifth grade students have worked in small groups to build model communities where they assess environmental stability and social harmony.

“Research has shown that STEM Careers are at the forefront of innovation and offer substantially higher financial benefits and job security,” shared Think Together Director of Enrichment Programs Molly Stoeckel. “Programs like STEM to the Future are working with Think Together to revolutionize the landscape in education through curricular offerings that create spaces of dialogue and engagement with the sciences and technological realms.”

The other new STEM partnership Think Together welcomes, is Science Action Club (SAC) designed by the California Academy of Sciences. They create various science kits for students to learn about topics that range from weather, insects and bird species. Think Together’s fifth grade students are going to be working on SAC’s Cloud Quest kits, which focuses on the impact clouds have on weather and climate. Students will get the chance to design their own satellite in small groups and research the effect of different types of clouds and report their findings to NASA.

“Think Together is changing the odds for students in the extended learning space by partnering with thoughtful organizations who write well rounded curriculum and train our own curriculum team on how students learn best,” said Stoeckel. “It’s really about putting the needs of our students as learners and as curious members of our communities first.”

Think Together strives to provide California youth with expanded learning opportunities through these diverse partnerships. Together, we’re able to create bright futures and continue to change the odds for kids.

Joshua Felix Named Among Top Human Resources Distinguished Leaders by Orange County Business Journal

This month, I am proud to acknowledge Think Together’s Chief People Officer Joshua Felix, who has been recognized by the Orange County Business Journal as a Human Resources Distinguished Leader.

Since 2006, Josh has elevated Think Together’s human resources functions. He has crafted and executed initiatives that align with both business objectives and Think Together’s mission of providing all children with top-tier, accessible education.

Congratulations, Josh!

Rachel Minecki Named Shalimar Learning Center’s New Community Program Center Manager

Think Together is happy to welcome Rachel Minecki, as our new Community Program Center Manager for the Shalimar Learning Center.

Rachel has spent over 10 years working in the nonprofit sector dedicated to supporting her community and making a change. With that same mindset, Rachel will now be using her knowledge to support our Shalimar Learning Center in developing, engaging and enriching programming for students. In her new roles, she will also coach program staff and foster new partnerships.

Thank you for joining us in our mission to change the odds, Rachel!

Seventeen years at Think Together has helped Humberto Quintana fulfill his passion for education while giving him the tools to help lead students on their journeys. His dedication is always on display at every field position and region where he has worked, and he is known for going the extra mile. Join us as we learn more about Humberto.


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

Growing up, I never had the opportunity to participate in afterschool programs. My Think Together why is that now, as an adult, I really enjoy being able to provide a place for kids to safely participate in various learning activities.  I started my career with Think Together as a Program Leader and was new to working with students, but I soon realized that they were the reason my job didn’t feel like work. I really enjoy participating in afterschool programs, delivering lessons, playing different sports and being able to connect with kids. I am blessed and grateful that my passion for helping students and my dedication for what Think Together stands for is still strong after 17 years.

If you could go back 17 years ago on your first day, what advice would you give yourself? Why?

I would advise myself to stay a Program Leader a little longer. I truly enjoyed being in the classroom and making strong connections. I always looked forward to showing students science experiments, learning math games and exploring different club activities.

Is there a student story that has stuck with you?

During my time as a Site Coordinator (now Site Program Manager) at Franklin Elementary in Redlands, I enrolled a student that had just moved from Mexico two weeks prior and faced many challenges with language barriers, communicating with others and making friends. I can relate to what this student was experiencing so I selected a group of students to create a “Welcome Committee” to support new student orientation and provide a warm environment for all students and visitors. From this experience I learned more about social emotional learning and how to better support student needs.

You have held many different positions at Think Together over the years. Which one was your favorite and why?

I learned to love the Site Coordinator position the most. As a Program Leader, I really enjoyed being in the classroom with the students. But as a Site Coordinator, it was rewarding to be able to plan a program and work with other leaders on the best way to provide safe and quality programs to our students. I feel that as a Site Coordinator I could share my knowledge and have a direct impact on what program we deliver to students.

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

“The only victory that counts is the one over yourself.” – Lionel Messi

I strive to be better than my previous self every day. Conquering my own imperfections can bring more success to my personal life, so I try to be better than myself for others. I continue to work on loving myself to love others better.

What do you wish more people knew about working with students in the education field?

I wish they knew that working with students can be challenging at times and that the reward is greater than the struggle. I believe that you must enjoy what you do so it won’t feel like work and helping students with their struggles, to see them succeed, is the highest reward.

Outside of work, what do you do for fun?  

Outside of work I enjoy coaching a boys youth soccer academy and traveling with the team to competitions. I also play soccer in a league and with my family. I have fun being outdoors, going to sporting events, camping, snowboarding and the beach. I also like to watch comedy movies and shows.