Fourth-grader Jojo has been a Think Together student for the last four years. He loves to attend his afterschool program! He says that program helps him make more friends, learn new things, and help his classmates. Jojo wants to be a teacher one day.
From an early age, teachers have always been inspiring to him. He hopes to be a science or math teacher when he grows up to help kids and help them learn. Jojo’s favorite subject in school is math because, “math helps me improve in a lot of things and you use a lot of math in the real world,” he says.
Jojo feels like he has a great support system and that his friends are there for him even on bad days. His friends also help him with his homework, and that homework is his favorite part of the program day.
Think Together is special for Jojo because-
“We are all like a family and we all help each other, and we’ll treat you the same as everyone.”
Think Together partners with schools to change the odds for kids. We want to foster a community where all kids get a great education that prepares them for college and career. Through funding, grants, and generous donations from caring individuals, Think Together provides services and learning opportunities for over 200,000 kids across California.
As a nonprofit organization, Think Together relies on volunteers to support our programs throughout California. From early learning to high school, there’s always an opportunity to make a difference. Our volunteers – whether high school students, college students, parents or working professionals – are all invested in giving back to their communities.
There’s Franchel, a father, grandfather and professional graphic artist. He recently returned to college to complete his degree and volunteered with Think Together as part of his work-study program. He loved bringing his creative energy to Think Together, teaching students the fundamentals of art and the importance of creativity. The best part for him? “Seeing how some of the kids did a 360 turn-around, work ethic, attitude, everything,” shares Franchel, “If I was part of that then I was glad I was able to do that.”
Or there’s Savanna, a sophomore student at Cal State Fullerton. Savanna volunteered at an elementary school four afternoons a week last summer. She loved her experience so much that she started recruiting her friends to volunteer and plans to work at Think Together after college. Savanna says, “Working with kids in a classroom setting and watching the program leaders – this is something I want to do!”
Cody didn’t have a great experience with school growing up. When he first got involved as a volunteer with Think Together, he didn’t know what he brought to the table. But after over three years of volunteering at an elementary school, Cody shares, “Now, I want to ensure that all students have active role models that encourage them to follow their passions and reach their full potential.”
To all of our volunteers, thank you. You change the odds for kids every day. Think Together is always looking for more passionate individuals like Franchel, Savanna and Cody who are willing to volunteer their time to work with kids. If you want to create a community where all kids are ready for college and career, visit our volunteer page for more info: click here
Dr. Ever Arias M.D., Think Together alum, is serving on the frontlines in Orange County as a UC Irvine Health resident. We want to take this moment to thank him and all of the healthcare professionals caring for our communities during this pandemic. Your support allows us to help students in our expanded learning and afterschool programs reach for their dreams and make an impact in the world.
“Because of Think Together’s help, I went from the label ‘English Language Learner’ to ‘Honors English’ in a single year. That shift put me in an environment where people saw my potential and I was interacting with students whose families went to college. And I think that challenged me and pushed me to do better.”
“My number one thing is to impact kids’ lives,” shares Brianna. A senior at Bassett High School, she completed an internship through Think Together’s Workforce Readiness Education Program (WREP) at her elementary school last year. And that internship changed her life.
Brianna never thought of herself as a leader. Before joining WREP her junior year, she was not very involved at school. But everything changed when she saw that flyer promoting the program in the school hallway. Brianna overcame her fears, registered and was placed in the third-grade class at her old school where she facilitated art club. “Being able to see all the kids and be a part of something like that was special,” she shares.
WREP was so impactful to Brianna that she applied and was accepted as a student leader this year. Instead of helping at her old elementary school (which she still visits often), Brianna now works with her classmates, supporting them with homework help and tutoring.
“I was able to do the first internship, and it gave me confidence to do something bigger at my school.”
Brianna isn’t done working with kids, though. She’s applying to UC San Diego and UC Santa Cruz, where she hopes to pursue a career in nursing. Her long-term goal is to teach pediatrics nursing, combining her passion for kids and leadership. WREP not only provides Brianna internships, but also resume workshops, mentors, field trips and guest speakers. With Think Together’s partnership, Brianna will be ready for college and a great career. And she’ll be doing what she loves to do – impacting kids lives for the better.
