Minds Matter Portland helps ambitious low-income students achieve their dream of going to college. They provide guidance, resources, and hands-on opportunities to ensure that students develop the skills to successfully navigate the admissions process, their college years, and beyond. Given the recent Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action, volunteer action is ever more urgent and necessary to bridge the access gap for these promising young students.

Minds Matter began in NYC more than 30 years ago, and has been operating in Portland for nearly 20 years. The program is deeply committed to delivering results: 100% of Minds Matter students are accepted to 4-year colleges, with 90% graduating.

Volunteers meet with students on Saturdays on Alberta, next door to Eliot in the King neighborhood. Sign up for a coffee chat to learn more about what it’s like to volunteer, or fill out an online application if you’re ready to get started today!

On a personal note, I have also been volunteering as a mentor with Minds Matter for the past 3 years, and have found it an incredibly rewarding journey. If you’d like to hear more about my personal experience, please email serena@eliotneighborhood.org.