Coaching, High School Diploma, Leadership, Mentoring, Network Connectivity, Secondary School, Time Management, Training/Teaching
Title: Volunteer Mentor
Reports to: Saturday Programs Director
Time Commitment: ~2.5 hours per week on select Saturdays
Schedule: September - May
Long-term Commitment: 3-year cycle(Sophomore through Senior year)
Our Mission
Minds Matter Houston transforms the lives of highly motivated high school students from low-income communities. We bridge the opportunity gap by providing the resources, mentorship, and support necessary for students to thrive in college and beyond. Our students have the ambition; we provide the roadmap.
The Role: Your Journey as a Mentor
As a Mentor, you are more than a tutor; you are a champion for a student's potential. You will be paired with a bright, motivated student starting in their sophomore year, walking alongside them until they walk across the stage at high school graduation.
Key Responsibilities:
- Relational Mentorship: Build a consistent, trusting 1-on-1 relationship. You will be a stable presence, helping your mentee navigate the social and academic pressures of high school.
- College Access Coaching: Guide your mentee through the complexities of college research, fly-in programs, and the application process.
- Skill Advocacy: Facilitate growth in "power skills"—time management, professional communication, and goal-setting—using the Minds Matter curriculum.
- Summer Program Support: Assist your mentee in applying for competitive summer academic programs at top-tier universities.
- Academic Accountability: Provide a supportive "nudge" to ensure program assignments and schoolwork remain a priority.
What We're Looking For
We seek professionals and community leaders who are as committed to our students' success as they are to their own.
- The "Long View": The ability to commit to a three-year cycle is essential. Your consistency is the bedrock of your mentee's success.
- Educational Advocates: A firm belief that a student's zip code should not determine their destination.
- Empathetic Leadership: A balance of high expectations and deep compassion for the barriers our students face.
- Reliability: Our sessions happen on Saturdays; showing up is the first and most important part of the job.
- Clearance: Ability to pass a comprehensive background check.
The Mentor Experience
- A Structured Community: You aren't on an island. You will work within the Programming Team, supported by staff and a cohort of fellow mentors.
- Professional Networking: Connect with a diverse, high-achieving network of volunteers across Houston's corporate, medical, and civic sectors.
- Skill Development: Hone your coaching, active listening, and leadership skills through our comprehensive training and ongoing workshops.
- Tangible Legacy: Experience the profound satisfaction of seeing "your" student receive their college acceptance letters and realize their dreams.
How to Apply
Ready to change a life? Apply here.
For more information, visit www.mindsmatterhouston.org or email us at volunteers@mindsmatterhouston.org