Planning our second annual December Delight wasn’t smooth. There were long meetings, back-and-forth emails, and more late-night group chats than we can count. But when event day finally came, every minute of effort felt worth it.

The biggest struggle early on was securing a venue. After weeks of searching and rejections, we finally hosted at REACH Ashland Youth Center where we held the first one in partnership with the Community Closet. With that in place, our team went all in. Donations rolled in from generous individuals and student clubs, filling racks with clothes and tables with books. We also added games, prizes, and plushies to create a space that felt joyful and warm, especially for the kids.

Setup day tested us. We were racing the clock, sorting last-minute donations, taping signs to walls, checking sound, and making sure everything was where it needed to be. But admins and tutors worked side by side, lifting, laughing, and pushing through the chaos together.

The event itself was beautiful. Families browsed freely and picked out what they needed. Kids played games and hugged their new plushies. Seeing real smiles and hearing real thank-yous reminded us that even small acts of giving can have a huge impact.

This year’s theme, “A Starry Elevation,” built off of last year’s “A Bright Start.” If our first event lit the spark, this one was about rising—going higher, reaching further, and deepening our impact. We didn’t just repeat last year’s event. We elevated it. With more donations, better coordination, and a stronger sense of purpose, this year showed how much we’ve grown—not just as a team, but as a community.

More than just a holiday event, A Starry Elevation was a reminder that with every challenge we face and overcome, we rise—together.

The hectic planning, numerous meetings, extensive emails, and late-night texting sessions were all part of the challenging yet ultimately rewarding experience of organizing CONSTILLATE's December Delight event. Our dedicated admin team faced obstacles along the way, but our collective effort and collaboration made the event a resounding success, helping countless families in our community.

In the initial planning stages, we encountered setbacks such as securing a suitable venue. However, our persistence paid off when we found a location that was not only cost-effective but also welcoming and accessible to the community. Our team worked tirelessly to collect donations from generous individuals and clubs, amassing racks of clothes that we could distribute for free. Families could choose from a wide range of items, from t-shirts to shoes, to create a more memorable holiday season. Moreover, we received book donations that catered to various reading levels, from early readers to chapter books. Our event also featured games for children, allowing them to play and win prizes, further enhancing their experience.

As the event day drew nearer, the process of setting up fostered a strong sense of collaboration among our team members. Tutors and admins worked hand-in-hand to ensure that every item was in its proper place, stations were set up correctly, and the music playlist was ready to go. Our teamwork proved to be effective, as we managed to set everything up on time, even amidst a surge of additional donations. The December Delight event was not just successful in terms of execution; it also had a profound impact on our community. Witnessing the smiles of children as they received plushies and seeing the joy our event brought to families was truly heartwarming. More importantly, this experience allowed us, CONSTILLATE members, to bond and grow together through overcoming challenges and working towards a common goal.

In retrospect, the journey of planning and executing the December Delight event was filled with obstacles, but our unwavering dedication and collaboration ultimately led to its success. As a team, we not only made a positive impact on our community but also learned the value of perseverance, communication, and unity in the face of adversity. We eagerly look forward to hosting this event again next year and continuing to make a difference in the lives of those around us.

Four months of meticulous planning, endless meetings, and unwavering dedication had led up to this amazing day. The 22nd of August marked a new beginning for CONSTILLATE, a day that would forever be engraved in the hearts of the admin team. It was the day when their collective vision, born out of a desire to bridge the educational gap in immigrant communities, began to take shape and make a huge impact.

The journey had been nothing short of hectic, with every member of the admin team pouring their hearts and souls into turning CONSTILLATE into a reality. Their mission was clear: to provide academic support to students, connect them with dedicated tutors, and foster a sense of community through education.

At the driver's seat of this passionate mission were the program directors, Iteoluwa (Tutu) Aladesanmi, Johnny Peng, Alex Lopez, and former Assistant Program Director Hunter Ito. Jean Marie French and Da'Nae Davis, CONSTILLATE's founding curriculum managers, uploaded lots of lessons based on the curriculum plans of the San Lorenzo Unified School District. Their dedication ensured that students would receive top-notch educational support.

Meanwhile, the founding student managers, Kat Nguyen and Sophia Guan, along with the founding Outreach Coordinator, Crystal Mai, worked tirelessly to reach out to potential tutors and students. Their efforts were instrumental in spreading the word and gathering support for CONSTILLATE's mission. Victor Chen, the founding scheduling manager, undertook the key task of matching tutors with students based on preferences and needs. His attention to detail ensured that every student received the personalized support they required. The admin team's collective commitment was evident as they worked tirelessly to bring CONSTILLATE to life.

The significance of this Monday cannot be overstated. It was the day when a group of determined teenagers transformed their idea into a reality. CONSTILLATE was more than just a tutoring program; it was a movement dedicated to empowering their community through education.

As the first tutoring session started, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement and anticipation. Tutors, students, and admin team members came together, united by a common purpose. The amazing tutors who volunteered their time and the eager students seeking knowledge were a testament to CONSTILLATE's mission becoming a reality.

As the days turned into weeks and months, CONSTILLATE continues to grow, evolve, and flourish.To all those who played a part in CONSTILLATE's journey, whether as a tutor, a student, or a member of the admin team, your dedication and commitment made it all possible. CONSTILLATE's success was a reflection of the collective efforts of a community determined to bridge the gap in education and empower the next generation.

As CONSTILLATE kept growing, it was important to remember that it was all thanks to the hard work, dedication, and belief of those who had embarked on this incredible journey.