Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders, Today!
Bringing Leaders Together at the 2025 Inland Empire Education and Workforce Summit
In partnership with Think Together and the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce, the 5th Annual Inland Empire Education and Workforce Summit, brought together business, education, and community leaders to explore innovative high school programs that are shaping the region’s future workforce.
The event featured remarks from Edward Ornelas, Jr., President of the Inland Empire Chamber of Commerce, and Randy Barth, who opened the program. Dr. Guillermo Escalante, Associate Dean at California State University, San Bernardino, provided a higher education perspective on the regional workforce pipeline and introduced program case studies from Desert Hot Springs High School Principal Omar Tinoco and Palm Springs Unified School District Director of Expanded Learning Amber Gascoigne, highlighting career pathways in barbering and fashion design.
The summit also featured a keynote address from Dr. Angelo Farooq, California Workforce Development Board Member, and a panel discussion moderated by Think Together’s Director of District Partnerships, Johanna Lizarraga, with participation from: Dr. Steve Lee, Kaiser Permanente; Amy Foell, San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership; Dr. Stephanie Houston, San Bernardino County Office of Education; and Dr. Heather Williams Riverside County Office of Education.
Click here to read more about the event.
Palm Springs Life Magazine Celebrates the Leadership of Director of Johanna Lizarraga
For 17 years, Johanna Lizarraga has been helping to shape the future of Think Together students in Coachella Valley. As she rose through the ranks of Think Together, she championed the organization’s mission, empowering her fellow leaders to create meaningful learning experiences and build strong relationships with students, parents and the community.
Today as a Director of District Partnerships, she is a leader who is bridging a gap between school districts and communities to ensure all students have access to the tools that will help them succeed.
Thank you to Palm Springs Life for recognizing Johanna’s exceptional leadership!
Changing the Odds Through the Arts with Orange County School of the Arts
Congratulations to Think Together partner, Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) for being featured in the Los Angeles Times! Together we have impacted over 3,000 students across Southern California with dynamic arts education. Through enriching arts experiences led by professional OCSA teaching artists during Think Together’s afterschool, spring break, and summer programs, students gain hands-on learning opportunities in ballet folklórico and mariachi music.
Think Together Recognized in Modern Luxury’s 2025 Philanthropy Awards
We are honored to be one of the many outstanding organizations who were featured in the 2025 Modern Luxury Philanthropy Awards. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to changing the odds for thousands of students and communities across California. In Orange County, we are grateful to our school partners who have helped us bring better opportunities to more than 5,000 students, and we look forward to expanding our impact even further. Together, we are creating brighter futures for every student.
Expanding Our Impact Across California with New District Partnerships
As Think Together expands its reach across California, we’re deepening our mission to change the odds for kids through new and impactful district partnerships.
In Elk Grove Unified School District, Think Together kicked off its new partnership during the summer, serving 1,000 students across four school sites. For Think Together staff and students at Vacaville Unified School District, this partnership will serve nearly 600 students across five Vacaville school sites.
Neighboring school district, Fairfield–Suisun Unified School District, will also mirror a similar partnership with Think Together that will leave a lasting impact on nearly 1,000 students across nine schools. Working together with Lodi Unified School District, Think Together will provide 400 students from Joe Serna Jr. Charter School.
Think Together is excited to begin implementing programs that will positively impact the lives of thousands of students. Click here to read about the other districts joining us in expanding access to quality expanded learning opportunities across California.
Celebrating the Impact of Expanded Learning with Lights On Afterschool
On October 23rd, across California hundreds of Think Together staff, students and families came together to celebrate the power of expanded learning for Lights On Afterschool. It truly takes a village, and Think Together is proud to foster a strong community committed to changing the odds for kids and “Igniting a Brighter Tomorrow” for limitless opportunities. We’re grateful to our corporate partners, donors and supporters who believe in our mission and are committed to keeping the lights on afterschool.
If you missed our live broadcast, watch it here or read all about the event in our press release.
