Bringing Stories to Life with Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation
Think Together is proud to continue our partnership with Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, which has renewed its $100,000 grant that will help bring early literacy and numeracy programs to students in San Bernadino County. With this support, our youngest learners have more opportunities than ever to strengthen their skills, build confidence, and develop a lifelong love of learning.
To celebrate the continued partnership, San Manuel hosted a book reading event at Simpson Elementary School in Rialto Unified School District. As young readers filled the cafeteria, they were greeted with a warm welcome from the San Manuel team. Monique Osorio, program officer for the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, took her seat at the front, ready to bring “The Little Chick” to life.
When the reading ended, the young students made their way to a collection of books spanning a variety of genres. Thanks to the support of Think Together volunteers from the long-standing Book Doctor program, hundreds of books were available for these eager readers to take home.
Reading opens new worlds for young minds, helping them embrace fresh themes and build new skills. “I’ve noticed they comprehend more of the books they read or listen to,” said Site Program Manager Mereesa Cruz. “It sparks their imagination and shows them that learning can be fun.”
During the 2024-2025 school year, this partnership supported more than 3,300 students across 83 elementary schools, helping them develop essential reading and math skills through daily practice and small group instruction. Through the partnership students have dedicated time each day to reinforce classroom learning in areas like letter recognition, phonics, and number sense.
The impact of this partnership goes beyond student learning. The grant also funded classroom technology and professional development, equipping Think Together staff with the tools and training needed to deliver effective instruction and track student progress. With the ongoing support, site staff can create engaging, personalized lessons and monitor growth more effectively.
Since the program began, 88% of parents reported significant improvement in their child’s academic performance, and 94% say that their child feels more confidents in the classroom. These numbers reflect the meaningful impact early literacy and numeracy programs have on students’ growth and self-esteem.
“Our students are our future, and we deeply value the commitment Think Together has taken to work with our district to invest in each student’s education so that they can thrive,” said Agent of Expanded Learning Programs Norberto Perez of Rialto Unified School District.
As we look ahead, this continued investment from San Manuel ensures that even more young learners will have access to high quality instruction, supportive staff, and a future full of possibilities. With dedicated partners like Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, we can open more doors for students and help them reach their fullest potential.
