Help us raise money

As many of you know, I currently serve as a Mentor / Board Member for Minds Matter, which is an organization that I have been involved with since 2016. Working with my previous mentee, Zarifa (pictured), and watching her progress and grow over the years has been immensely rewarding and one of my most pivotal experiences since moving to New York City. Zarifa is currently a Sophomore at Bentley University. Although our formal Mentor relationship has come to a close, we have remained in contact and continue to build upon our relationship forged through Minds Matter. This past year I had the opportunity to take on a new mentee, Max. Max is a Junior in HS and already so excited about college and what his future holds. I am lucky to be part of both of their journeys.

Minds Matter is a nonprofit that transforms the lives of high school students from low-income backgrounds through a three-year program of academic enrichment, personal development, and mentoring. Students enter the program as sophomores and are paired with two mentors to meet with each Saturday. In addition to these mentorship sessions, each student attends group workshops focused on math, writing, critical thinking, and SAT preparation. Over the three years, each student dedicates more than 600 hours to the program—almost an entire extra semester of school! As students enter their junior and senior years, their focus shifts to college applications and college success. Minds Matter also sponsors summer enrichment programs that help to further prepare students during their junior summer. My previous mentee, Zarifa, had the opportunity to travel to Barcelona for an immersive language trek through CIEE. Max is waiting to hear back from his applications to summer programs at NYU, Syracuse, and Notre Dame.

The results of Minds Matter truly speak for themselves. Over 70% of students are first-generation college students, and the average family income of a student is less than $25,000. Thus far, 100% of Minds Matter graduates have been accepted to a 4-year college, and over 85% go on to attend universities ranked as “highly selective.”

As you think about your charitable contributions this year, I implore you to consider joining me in supporting Minds Matter and the terrific work the program does in New York City and around the country. I recognize how fortunate I am to have grown up in a household with supportive parents, who not only encouraged my academic pursuits and prioritized college but also taught me the importance of contributing and giving back to the communities in which we live. I hope that by devoting my time with these students each Saturday and financially supporting Minds Matter, I can ensure my mentees feel the support that I benefited from and are equipped with the tools required to realize their potential.

Thank you for considering a gift to Minds Matter; our collective goal is to raise $35,000 through the 5K challenge. We greatly appreciate any and all donations, as our students' success and the program hinges on your generosity.