From Childhood to Adulthood, Think Together Leads the Way

Life is full of many changes and challenges, so it leaves room for minimal constants that shape one’s outcome. For Valerie Zuniga, Think Together has been the constant in her life, guiding her from childhood to adulthood. From stepping into a Think Together classroom as a kindergartener to becoming a program leader to capturing impactful stories alongside the organization’s marketing and communications team, Valerie has embodied what it means to change the odds for kids.

During her years as a Think Together student in elementary and middle school, Valerie felt supported in all aspects of her academic journey, whether through her schoolwork, extracurricular activities, or just having a safe space where she could express herself freely. When she reached adulthood, Think Together was by her side once again, this time giving her a peek behind the curtain as a staff member.

“I came back to Think Together because I wanted to be there for someone the way someone was there for me,” Valerie said. “I remember being in those seats as a student, so it changed the way I navigated being a program leader with more patience and empathy towards the kids. It felt like a very familiar position for me, and it wasn’t a transition that I struggled with.”

Think Together was also the space where she first learned what a college education could look like and sparked her passion for the career path she works towards today. Valerie expresses how lucky she feels to have had the guidance when she was a Think Together student, as to what a college career could look like.

“As a first-generation student, it’s always hard not knowing what to do. My middle school Think Together program leader is the one who introduced the idea of college to me, and that stuck with me. She was a program leader in college, a position I later found myself in as well. It gave me a space to work with children, which ignited my passion for education.”

In her next stage with Think Together, Valerie found herself taking an even deeper look at the impact the organization makes through storytelling. With her working towards a career in marketing and an enthusiasm for education, Valerie found the perfect fit with an internship in Think Together’s Marketing and Communications team this past summer.

She had the opportunity to see and support how Think Together streamlines the impact it creates through external channels such as social media, email campaigns and blog articles.

“It has truly been a full-circle moment for me. It’s shocking to see how, at every stage, Think Together has been there for me, supporting me as a student academically, guiding me as a program leader discovering my passion for impacting children, and now, as an intern, showing me how I can blend my two career passions: education and marketing.”

Valerie’s biggest takeaway throughout her Think Together journey has been to witness the purpose of why Think Together is committed to changing the odds for kids across California. She recounts how incredible it was to be able to see how every decision, big or small, always ties back to providing students with endless opportunities to succeed.

For Valerie, Think Together shaped her to be the person she is today and equipped her with the tools to be more confident and pursue a future where she contributes to impact-driven work. Now, with her younger brother also walking in the same footsteps as her as a Think Together student, Valerie can see firsthand the impact the program has on him and hopes it brings him as much determination as it has her.

“I am proud to be a Think Together alum,” Valerie stated. “To all my fellow past Think Together students, don’t think twice about coming back because Think Together will welcome you with open arms at any stage. It’s a transformational environment where you’ll grow beyond measure.”