Randy Barth of THINK Together Shares His Thoughts on Education Reform THURSDAY

An education expert, who created a safe learning place for children from Costa Mesa's most-troubled street, on Thursday shares with 300 state and local business and education leaders his insights on improving education for all kids.

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Randy Barth was an investment adviser in 1994 when he organized a group of volunteers from St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, St. Joachim's Catholic Church and Women of Vision to provide a safe place for children from the Shalimar neighborhood to study and get education support. (Fun fact: I used to live around the corner from Shalimar.)

The nonprofit Barth founded, THINK Together, would go on to establish dozens of learning centers, partner with Tustin and Santa Ana schools to provide after-school programs and team with the Walmart Foundation and actor Matthew McConaughey's j.k. livin youth foundation to integrate youth health and nutrition programs into schools.

Now Barth, who is still the CEO of THINK Together, will talk education reform Thursday with Orange County Superintendent of Schools Al Mijares, President and CEO of the Orange County Business Council Lucy Dunn and KTLA News anchorman Chris Schauble, who moderates.

Barth will also refer to the new book he co-authored with former Los Angeles Times reporter Jennifer Delson, THINK Together: How YOU can play a role in improving education in America.

About 300 state and Orange County educators, elected officials, business leaders and philanthropists from across Southern California are expected at the event that runs from 5-7 p.m. in Lyon Air Museum, 19300 Ike Jones Road, Santa Ana.

For more information, visit http://thinktogether.org/book/.

Email: mc****@oc******.com. Twitter: @MatthewTCoker. Follow OC Weekly on Twitter @ocweekly or on Facebook!

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