Built by the Game and Backed by Think Together
When Aleyda moved from Mexico to Los Angeles County just two years ago, everything changed at once. A new school. A new language. A new community. Starting over meant rebuilding her world from the ground up.
Despite the challenges of a new environment, Aleyda found a familiar constant in Think Together’s sports program at her school. Her passion for sports was nurtured by her family, which translated into a safe afterschool space for her through basketball and soccer.
“When I had recently arrived from Mexico, I started training afterschool with Mr. Alex, the Think Together Site Assistant at the time, and it truly left a positive impact on me,” said Aleyda. “I was able to familiarize myself with my teammates and strengthen my skills in sports because I was being encouraged to dedicate time to it every day.”
Some of the most cherished memories Aleyda has created within Think Together have been the times she’s spent with her teammates. The many shared tournaments that have resulted in many laughs, trophy wins, and even disagreements have made her time with Think Together that much sweeter and memorable.
“It’s important to have sports programs like Think Together’s because they help you feel like you’re part of something,” said Aleyda. “If you’re just starting and don’t know much about a sport, the support is there to help you excel. I learned so many new sports skills that I didn’t realize I was missing.”
While sports have been at the heart of her Think Together journey, Aleyda has also enjoyed the many other diverse opportunities the program has to offer. She learned new abilities in the cooking club with recipes, explored new places like the beach and UCLA’s campus through field trips, and received the academic support she needed for her schoolwork.
“Our Think Together program has been a bridge to opportunity for Aleyda, fueling her growth athletically, academically and emotionally,” said Aleyda’s Think Together Site Program Manager Rey Diamond. “The staff has been here to support her and make her feel comfortable and build her confidence. She has taken advantage of so many opportunities that broaden her exposure to new experiences.”
After graduation, Aleyda plans to attend her local community college and aspires to pursue a career in either criminology or nursing. She credits much of the growth she’s made since she moved to the United States to the Think Together team at her school. They’ve helped her excel academically when she needed extra support and ensured she was equipped with the tools she needed for life after high school.
“My time at Think Together feels like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’ve learned to live in the moment because I won’t be able to do this again after I graduate,” said Aleyda. “You build a friendship with the staff, and it will be something I’ll always cherish in the future.”
Think Together strives to create successful pathways for students like Aleyda that will prepare them for life after high school graduation. Whether through college and career readiness workshops, internships, field trips, or hands-on learning experiences, Think Together ensures students feel empowered to discover new possibilities.
Interested in doing your part to change the odds for students like Aleyda? Discover all the ways you can get involved with Think Together, whether that’s supporting an event, volunteering your time, organizing a fundraiser, or exploring corporate partnership opportunities.
