Minds Matter’s mission is to transform the lives of accomplished high school students from low-income environments by broadening their dreams and preparing them for college success.
We aim to equip underprivileged high school students with the tools to gain acceptance to top-tier academic summer programs and four-year universities, as we believe no student dedicated to earning a college education should be limited by socioeconomic status
Why Minds Matter?
Low-income, high-achieving students are grossly underrepresented at competitive colleges. Only 3% of students at the nation’s top 146 colleges are from a low-income background.
College graduates earn a staggering 84% more than high school graduates. Without appropriate college preparation and access, low income students will not earn a college degree, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.
What We Do
Minds Matter of Denver is a chapter of the national Minds Matter organization. Since its founding in New York City in 1991, the effectiveness of Minds Matter has been affirmed – 100% of its students have been accepted into a four-year college. The organization has expanded to twelve cities nationwide, including Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, the Twin Cities and Washington D.C.
Minds Matter of Denver is committed to making college education a reality for accomplished high school students from low-income environments since we first opened our doors in 2004. Students are paired with two adult mentors and spend time during weekly after-school sessions working on summer and college applications, standardized test preparation, community service efforts, writing and speaking skills, and other life skills that benefit the student academically and personally. This year, more than 180 volunteers from the Denver area will team up to support 60 students from five area schools!