Minds Matter Southern California

06/16/2026

Some of the most meaningful moments in our program happen one conversation at a time.

Today, we're highlighting two mentors who embody the heart of mentorship: Yurid Chavez and Jesse Martinez.

✨ Yurid leads with empathy, collaboration, and encouragement, creating spaces where students feel heard, supported, and challenged to grow. Yurid joined us as Sophomore mentor this last school year. She's rocking it!

✨ Jesse's warmth, consistency, and unwavering commitment remind us that mentorship is often about something simple but powerful: showing up. Jesse just wrapped up his third year mentoring. Jesse's commitment is inspirational.

Together, they represent what students need most—not someone with all the answers, but someone willing to listen, encourage, and walk alongside them as they navigate high school, college access, and their future.

The impact of mentorship isn't always measured in a single moment. It's built week after week through trust, consistency, and care.

Interested in making a difference for the next generation of leaders? Comment below to learn more! Our next volunteer open house is July 15.

Help us celebrate Yurid and Jesse in the comments below. 👏

06/09/2026

Some of the most meaningful moments in our program aren't about college applications or test scores—they're the moments when students feel seen, heard, and supported. 💙

Today, we're highlighting **Victoire Parker — SEL Facilitator of the Year**

Throughout the year, Victoire has helped create spaces where our seniors can reflect, connect, and show up as their authentic selves. Through her warmth, thoughtful facilitation, and genuine care for students, she has fostered a sense of belonging that extends far beyond a single session.

Her impact is a powerful reminder that when students feel supported emotionally, they're better equipped to navigate challenges, build confidence, and pursue their goals.

As we celebrate our seniors and the community that supports them, we're grateful for volunteers like Victoire who help make this journey possible.

Interested in learning how you can support students through Social Emotional Learning and more? ☕ Join us for a virtual coffee chat or learn more at our upcoming Virtual Open House on June 10 at 6PM.

Help us celebrate Victoire and the many volunteers who create spaces where students can thrive. 👏✨

06/05/2026

Congratulations to the Minds Matter Southern California Class of 2026.

Twenty-three driven, determined students. Twenty-three college destinations. One extraordinary community behind them.

This Saturday, our Class of 2026 celebrated their graduation, and are heading to Amherst College, Brown University, Brown University/Rhode Island School of Design, Cal Poly Pomona, California State University Long Beach, Loyola Marymount University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Pasadena City College, Pitzer College, Pomona College, Santa Monica College, Swarthmore College, University of California Berkeley, University of California Merced, University of California Riverside, University of California San Diego, University of California Santa Cruz, University of Southern California, and US Merchant Marine Academy..

Since our first graduating class in 2013, 100% of Minds Matter SoCal graduates have been accepted to four-year universities. 82% attend top 50 colleges and universities. 94% graduate within four years. These results belong to our students. They show up, do the work, and deliver.
College acceptance is a milestone, not a finish line. A degree, a career, and a future without limits: that is the full journey. That is why Minds Matter SoCal is expanding our commitment to support students through every year of college.

To our Class of 2026: we could not be prouder. The capture some of the beauty seen, felt, and heard on graduation day.

06/03/2026

Behind every student experience is a community of volunteers who choose to invest their time, talents, and leadership in the next generation. 💙

Today, we're highlighting two incredible leaders whose contributions have helped shape meaningful experiences for students and volunteers alike:

✨ **Tanya Finks — Program Director of the Year**
As Program Director, Tanya has helped foster a program environment grounded in collaboration, consistency, and care. Her leadership has strengthened the Sophomore program experience and created a space where students can thrive.

✨ **Frances Groeneman — Curriculum Director of the Year**
As Curriculum Director, Frances has helped students explore transformative summer opportunities that expand their horizons and support their long-term goals. Her commitment to student growth continues to open doors and inspire possibility.

What we love most about Tanya and Frances is that their impact extends far beyond a title. They represent what happens when talented professionals choose to share their experience, leadership, and heart with young people.

Interested in learning how you can support students as a mentor, coach, facilitator, or program leader?

☕ We'd love to connect. DM us or comment below to schedule a virtual coffee chat or join us at our upcoming Virtual Open House on **June 10** to learn more about volunteer opportunities with Minds Matter SoCal.

Drop a 👏 below to help us celebrate Tanya and Frances and the many volunteers who make this work possible.

05/26/2026

✨ “You helped me believe…” 💙

Sometimes the most powerful impact isn’t just helping students get to college. It’s helping them see what’s possible for themselves.

Damari’s words remind us that mentorship, support, and community can shape so much more than academic outcomes. They can build confidence, expand dreams, and help students believe they are capable of reaching goals that once felt out of reach. 🎓✨

To every mentor, volunteer, educator, and supporter who continues to show up for young people: thank you for helping students imagine bigger futures for themselves.

💭 What’s something or someone that helped shape the way *you* think about your future? Share below ⬇️💙

05/22/2026

Help us celebrate our Spark Award Honorees by leaving some hearts and/or sparkles in the comments ✨💙

We just honored some incredible volunteers in this year's Minds Matter SoCal Spark Awards 2026: Leadership Through Service ✨. We’re proud to celebrate this year’s honorees, a group of incredible volunteers and leaders who continue to strengthen our community and uplift our students through mentorship, compassion, and care.

From mentors and facilitators to team leads and program leaders, each honoree embodies the power of consistently and intentionally showing up for young people. Over the coming weeks, we’ll highlight these inspiring individuals and the impact they’ve made throughout our community.

05/19/2026

There’s something special about Saturdays at Minds Matter SoCal 💙✨

Saturdays are filled with mentorship and collaborative learning, laughter, encouragement, and community. Every session is built around helping students grow, connect, and dream bigger together. 🎓🤝 Our volunteers show up week after week to guide, challenge, and support students through their high school and college access journey, and the relationships built along the way are what make this community so meaningful.

Curious about what our Saturdays look like? 👀 Connect with us in a coffee chat and follow along. Learn more about how students and volunteers connect, grow, and build futures together.

05/14/2026

🎓✨ Know a high school freshman with big dreams and strong potential? Applications for the next Minds Matter SoCal sophomore cohort are closing in 4 days - May 18, 2026! Send us a DM for more info 🧑‍🏫💻

Every year, we work alongside incredible students from low-income backgrounds as they navigate high school, college access, mentorship, leadership development, and future opportunities. Through a community of mentors, educators, tutors, and volunteers, students gain the support and confidence to pursue what’s possible. 💙

This program is designed for students who are:
✔ Dreaming about college and their future
✔ High-achieving
✔ Motivated to grow
✔ Ready to challenge themselves
Bring your passion, your resilience, and your boldest dreams—we’ll take it from there. 💫

Calling all educators, counselors, alumni, mentors, and community partners:
We need your help identifying and encouraging students who would thrive in this space. Your recommendation, conversation, repost, or tag could help change a student’s trajectory.
📣 Help us spread the word and connect us with future leaders.

Apply to Minds Matter SoCal for free mentoring, tutoring, and college prep. For motivated 9th graders from low‑income families in Los Angeles. Start your journey today.

04/21/2026

The Minds Matter team recently traded laptops for rolling pins and learning how to make pasta from scratch! Turns out the secret ingredient to great teamwork is pasta. 🍝

Our staff spent the day learning how to make the real deal kneading, rolling, laughing, and stepping outside our comfort zones. The best part was discovering fun, new ways to connect and work together.

Flour‑covered and fully bonded, it was the perfect reset as we look ahead to rolling out our seven‑year program.