Making A Lasting Impact On Students

Jose Candelas has spent the last 20 years at Think Together, building bridges in the community between parents, kids and educators. But it is rare for him to truly see the lasting impact he is making on kids.

Recently, Jose reunited with Chantel Vasquez, who he first met 18 years ago when she was a Think student at Davis Elementary School. Now a college graduate, Chantel stopped by to say thank you for all the support throughout her elementary years.

Chantel joined Think Together in first grade because her parents, both Spanish speakers, could not adequately support her with homework. She entered the program struggling with reading, writing and math; six years later, she was ready for honors classes in middle school.

“Without Think Together, I don’t know what would have happened to me,” Chantel says, “I definitely wouldn’t have been able to go to college and chase my dreams.” Chantel was accepted to Stanford University, UCLA, UC Irvine and UC Riverside, to name a few. She recently graduated from UC Irvine with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. Now she’s studying for the GRE and preparing to apply to Cal State Fullerton’s graduate economics program – Jose couldn’t be prouder.