Saint Theresa School in Somerville, MA, builds a strong foundation of academic excellence while embracing the Catholic faith, respecting diversity, and fostering community. ThinkGive is proud to partner with Saint Theresa School to bring social and emotional learning (SEL) programming to students, helping them develop confidence, empathy, and leadership skills.
We asked educators and students to reflect on the impact of ThinkGive. Here’s what they shared.
3rd-5th Grade Student Voices: What ThinkGive Means to Them
“I felt more included with my classmates, and they got to know me more.”
“It changed how I think and feel by helping me to notice things about my friends and family I didn’t before.”
“I learned how to give back to my community and neighbors.”
After participating in ThinkGive, students reported significant improvements in their social and emotional skills:
98% said they were kinder to others.
93% felt more connected to classmates.
93% felt more confident in their ability to make a positive impact in their world.
Educator Perspectives: Seeing Growth and Connection
“ThinkGive has been an invaluable resource. What once took an entire day of searching for lesson plans online now takes a fraction of the time, and the impact on students has been remarkable. The most meaningful change has been how students relate to one another. While they were friendly before, there was still an undercurrent of teasing. As we worked through the ThinkGive lessons, that dynamic shifted to where students began connecting on a deeper level, and the teasing faded as their understanding of each other grew.” – Tania Medeiros, City Connects Coordinator
Why This Partnership Matters
– Minna Kim, ThinkGive Program Coordinator
“They began running two pilot Spotlight programs for grades 5–8 last year and have expanded to full programs across grades K–8 this year — a testament to their wholehearted belief in social-emotional learning. Much of that momentum belongs to Tania Medeiros, City Connects Coordinator, who has been the driving force behind ThinkGive at Saint Theresa. Her regular updates and photos make clear how much she and her students look forward to each session. We’re grateful to have Saint Theresa in the ThinkGive community.”
Saint Theresa School is a recipient of the SEL for Every Child Fund, which provides full funding to implement ThinkGive’s SEL programming. If your school/organization serves a majority of under-resourced youth and lacks funding for SEL initiatives, find out if you qualify at thinkgiveproject.org/fund.
