What if a few hours a week could change a student’s life…and yours?
At Minds Matter Southern California, we believe every student deserves someone in their corner, and that someone is often a volunteer. People like you who bring their whole selves to the table. Our volunteers come from all backgrounds: different cultures, careers, ages, and life experiences. What they share is a belief in the power of potential and the idea that every student deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Whether you are drawn to one-on-one conversations or feel more at home supporting behind the scenes, there is a role here that fits you. And more than a role, there is a community built on empathy, equity, and joy. A place where showing up for students also means being seen, supported, and celebrated yourself.
Explore the roles below to discover how you can make a difference today.
Find Your Way to Make an Impact
Every role is an opportunity to change a life. Discover the perfect fit for your skills and passion.
MENTOR
Be the Mentor You Once Needed
Support students as they navigate academics, life, and the path to college.
CONNECTIONS FACILITATOR
Lead with Heart in a Connections Circle
Create a safe space for students to reflect, share, and build emotional wellness.
SUMMER PROGRAMS TEAM LEAD
Champion Life-Changing Summer Opportunities
Help students access transformative summer programs and build their college readiness.
TEST PREP TUTOR
Boost Confidence Through Test Readiness
Help students tackle the SAT with strategies, encouragement, and personalized support.
This is Why it Matters
Because your presence can change a student’s path, and your own.
Each volunteer plays a unique part in helping our students succeed. Your support becomes part of their story, and often, part of yours too. You’ll help students gain confidence, discover their voices, and believe in what’s possible. But the impact doesn’t stop there.
Many of our volunteers say they came to give back and left with something they didn’t expect: a stronger sense of purpose, a deeper connection to community, and the reminder that small, consistent acts of care can create powerful change.
If you’re looking for a meaningful way to spend time, build relationships, and be part of something that lasts, you belong here. You don’t need to have all the answers. Just a willingness to show up, listen with empathy, and walk alongside someone as they grow.
Let’s Connect.
It starts with a conversation. Take the first step and sign up for a chat or come meet the community.
Changing Lives, One Story at a Time
Mentorship isn’t just an action. It’s a story. These voices reveal what it truly means to make a difference.
“Getting involved with Minds Matter has certainly been the most rewarding and gratifying experience since graduating college. Being able to share and use my personal academic background as a learning tool to help promising students like Marvin reach their full potential is beyond wholesome. I have genuinely enjoyed every moment of the journey and look forward to seeing Marvin – whom I view as a little brother – and the rest of his peers go on to make this world a better place.”
Daniel
“Being able to mentor driven students and help them achieve their goal of attending college has been very fulfilling—and doing so with an organization laser-focused on making a difference has made volunteering even more rewarding!”
“I am inspired by Marcus’s hard work and dedication to his education and value the opportunity to, in some form, contribute to his success while building a life-long relationship.”
Amiyr and Alex
“My participation in Minds Matter gave me the opportunity to help a promising young man articulate his unique story of growing up a bi-racial male in South Los Angeles. Once he was able to articulate who he was, it was about helping him to find the right types of experiences– summer programs, after-school programs, tutoring– that would set him up to be able to tell his story to college admissions officers. I look forward to being a part of Brandon’s life for decades to come.”
ReidChanging Lives, One Story at a Time
See how mentoring changes lives from those making it happen.
Mentor
As a Minds Matter mentor, you’ll be more than a volunteer; you’ll be a trusted guide, a consistent presence, and a champion for a high-achieving student. You’ll work alongside a co-mentor in a small group (a “quad”), helping your mentee build confidence, develop life skills, and navigate high school and the college application journey.
You don’t need a background in education, just the willingness to show up, listen deeply, and share your own college and life experiences. Many of our mentors say they’ve grown just as much as their mentees through this experience. Relationships often last far beyond the three-year program, continuing through college, graduation, and even weddings.
Mentoring isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about showing up with heart, embracing growth together, and helping your mentee turn challenges into opportunities.
Time Commitment: ~2–3 hours per week from August through May. This includes attending at least 80% of Saturday sessions (12:15–2:30 PM) and a brief weekly check-in with your quad.
Support & Belonging: You’ll be paired with a co-mentor and supported by a team of leads, coaches, and staff.
You’ll Love This If: You value deep relationships, enjoy showing up consistently, and want to make a lasting difference in a student’s life.
Impact: “Young people with mentors are 55% more likely to enroll in college.”
Mentors often say, “This is the most meaningful part of my week.”
Over 90% of our students graduate from four-year colleges, and mentors are a big reason why.
Connections Facilitator
As a Connections Facilitator, you’ll co-lead a weekly social-emotional learning (SEL) circle for a small group of high school students. These Saturday morning circles are intentional spaces where students practice self-awareness, connection, and community-building through guided listening and reflection.
You don’t need to be a counselor, teacher, or expert. In fact, facilitators aren’t there to fix anything, you’re there to hold space. We value vulnerability, presence, and the ability to model authentic listening.
You’ll collaborate with your co-facilitator and team to create welcoming spaces where students can share their stories and build critical life skills like empathy, communication, and resilience.
Time Commitment: ~2 hours per week from August through May. This includes attending a two-part summer training, 80% of Saturday sessions (9:00–10:00 AM), and 1.5-hour monthly facilitator meetings. An additional hour per week is recommended for planning.
Support & Belonging: You’ll receive training, planning support, and be part of a close-knit facilitator team.
You’ll Love This If: You’re a reflective, empathetic listener who values emotional growth, community, and authentic connection.
Impact: Connections helps students build emotional literacy and community; strengthen their voice, agency, and self-awareness, and feel seen, heard, and valued in a space where they belong.
Summer Programs Team Lead
As a Summer Programs Team Lead, you’ll help students and their mentors navigate the application process for summer academic programs across the country. These experiences prepare students for college life, develop their independence, and expand their worldview.
You’ll be the point person for a group of student/mentor teams, offering guidance, tracking progress, and ensuring students meet important deadlines. You’ll also help vet and recommend programs, manage logistics, and support mentors with tools and training. This is a great role if you’re organized, collaborative, and excited about helping students access new opportunities.
Time Commitment: ~2 hours per week from September through May. Most active January through May, with 10 in-person Saturday sessions (~3 in October, 3 in January, 2 in February, 1 in March, 1 in April/May) and weekly team calls.
Support & Belonging: You’ll be trained and supported by the Director of Summer Programs and collaborate with other Leads.
You’ll Love This If: You’re detail-oriented, organized, and passionate about expanding access to new experiences and college opportunities.
Impact: Students who participate in summer programs arrive at senior year more confident and college-ready; gain experience living on a campus, meeting new peers, and practicing independence; and receive mentorship through a high-stakes application process
Test Prep Tutor
As a Test Prep Tutor, you’ll work with a small group of students during Saturday morning sessions to build confidence and skills for the SAT. You’ll support them through personalized goal-setting, guided practice, and reviewing diagnostics in a way that meets them where they are. This role is ideal for those who enjoy coaching, problem-solving, or teaching in smaller, more focused settings. Our tutors help students shift from test anxiety to test readiness and celebrate every milestone along the way.
Time Commitment: ~2-3 hours per week from August through May. This includes attending 80% of Saturday sessions (10:00 AM–12:00 PM) and ~1 hour of prep during the week.
Support & Belonging: You’ll receive curriculum support, prep resources, and join a team of peer tutors.
You’ll Love This If: You’re patient, encouraging, and enjoy breaking down complex ideas into simple steps that help students feel capable and empowered.
Impact: Students gain access to more college opportunities as stronger test scores open doors to competitive schools and scholarships.