Minds Matter Chicago

Established in 2006, MMC is a fully free afterschool program MMC equips youth in grades 10-12 with the academic and social-emotional foundation to access, persist in, and successfully graduate from a four-year college.

Now in its 19th year, Minds Matter Chicago (MMC) promotes equity in college access and opportunity to mentor diverse, low-income students in grades 10-12 and positioning them for greater post-secondary success.

MMC stewards academically committed, ambitious young people toward admission and enrollment at selective four-year institutions, providing supplemental instruction in critical thinking and writing, standardized test preparation, assistance with college and scholarship application processes, and access to high-quality summer learning experiences. To date, 100% of participating students enter college immediately post-high school, and 73% of program alumni have earned their bachelor’s degree.

MMC is an intensive program for both mentees and mentors, all of whom commit to meeting a minimum of two hours each week, 30 weeks per year, for a period of three years. This 2024-2025 academic year, MMC is serving 62 students, nearly 100% qualify for free/reduced-price lunch, 73% are first-generation college aspirants, and 77% speak a second language.