College Readiness Program

With the support of generous community partners, Think Together’s Shalimar Teen Center gets high school students ready for college. Teens from low-income families in Costa Mesa receive academic counseling, participate in college field trips, meet with tutors, and take preparation courses for the SAT and ACT tests. At college and financial aid information sessions led by our staff and volunteers, students and their parents learn to navigate the challenging application process.

“Getting my bachelor’s degree is a goal I have always held close to my heart to inspire the younger generations in my family that look up to me as a role model,” says Antonio Gomez, 2017 high school graduate and 10-year Shalimar alumni. “Think Together has helped me gain the confidence to move forward through every obstacle that stood in my way.”

Antonio is now attending Cal State Fullerton and studying Mechanical Engineering. Of the six 2017 program seniors, five are enrolled in college! We will continue to support them through college with mentors who can help navigate the demands of college life.

Thank you to Pacific Life Foundation, DevTo Support Foundation, and Draper Family Foundation for supporting the College Readiness Program and our Shalimar students. “I don’t plan on stopping after earning my bachelor’s, I want to go above and beyond to earn my Ph.D.,” says Antonio – we know he will.