Volunteer Instructors/Teachers/Mentors

Minds Matter is a 20 year old not-for-profit organization whose mission is to transform the lives of accomplished high school students from low-income families by broadening their dreams and preparing them for college success. Each year, Minds Matter places bright and motivated students together with college graduates, who are committed to developing strong relationships with students and guiding them toward their academic pursuits.

Available Volunteer Opportunities- Mentors: Time Commitment: 3-4hrs/week, September through May we pair two mentors with each student to work for two hours every Saturday on essays, summer prep program selection, and school selection. Mentors are required to hold a bachelor’s degree, attend at least three Saturday sessions a month, and undergo a background check.

Our weekly sessions are structured and we also have a lot of fun mentor/mentee outings, giving ample opportunity to get to know your mentee as well as other volunteers.

Writing & Critical Thinking Volunteer Instructors: Time Commitment: 4-10hrs/week, October through May. Typical Writing and Critical Thinking Volunteers have a professional or academic (graduate level or above) experience in writing. Each volunteer is grouped with three students in a structured program to help take the students’ writing skills from the basic to the intermediate and advanced level. In addition to meeting with students for two hours each Saturday, these volunteers also review weekly essay assignments and participate in the review of summer program and college applications.

Test Prep Volunteer Instructors: Time Commitment: 2-4hrs/week, October through May. We train our Test Prep Volunteers to take students through a structured weekly Kaplan curriculum and Math Matter instruction (sophomore year only) that helps elevate their SAT/ACT scores. In October, Test Prep volunteers undergo 4-5 two hour training sessions. Volunteers guide students through a structured. 

For volunteers we provide an opportunity that can… 1. Enrich your life as well as someone else’s 2. Enable you to meet and network with other young professionals in NYC 3. Boost your resume- enhance your leadership and group management skills 4. Allow you to hold leadership posts and carry the organization to new levels each year. Program Dates: Saturdays from 12:30pm - 2:30pm from September 2012 – May 2013. Mentors are required to attend at least three Saturday sessions a month. • Location: Mentoring will occur 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza location or E.106th and Madison.

All candidates must have a bachelors and will need to complete an application and participate in an interview process, which includes a background check clearance. A three hour training session will be held prior to the first mentor/mentee meeting. For more information and to apply, please visit www.mindsmatternyc.org Questions: Contact Jesse Burne, Director of NYC Programs at (212) 626-6590 or at jesse.burne@mindsmatter.org