FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What if I am interested in multiple roles?
Please select the position you are most interested in on your application. You will also be able to select secondary and tertiary preferences on the application.
What training do you provide for volunteers?
Volunteers should expect to receive approximately 5 hours of training. New volunteers participate in orientation and role-specific training.
What support will I receive as a volunteer?
As a Minds Matter NYC mentor, you are led by a Team Leader. Writing Advisers are led by an experienced Program Director. Team Leaders and Program Directors are long-term volunteers who have been in your role for multiple years and are trained by Minds Matter NYC staff to support you. Team Leaders and Program Directors are on-site, guiding each session, and available to answer any questions you may have. Minds Matter NYC staff members are also always accessible to volunteers to provide additional support.
Can I volunteer remotely?
No, Minds Matter NYC recently transitioned back to in-person sessions and expects to continue to operate as an in-person program as it has in the past. Volunteers are expected to attend sessions in person.
When and where do sessions take place?
Sessions take place on high school campuses in Manhattan. Program locations are organized by program year
- Sophomores
- The Heritage School (East Harlem)
- Central Park East High School (East Harlem)
- Juniors
- Pace High School (Chinatown)
- The High School of Arts and Tech (Upper West Side)
- Seniors
- Manhattan Business Academy (Chelsea)
Mentors start in the sophomore program and cycle through all three program locations. Writing Advisers are assigned one location and can stay there year to year or cycle through.
Can I choose my program location?
Program sites are organized by program year. Your location will be determined by your role and corresponding program year.
If you are interested in being a Mentor, please note that you will most likely be placed in our sophomore program. As you progress through the program with your student each year, you will go to a junior program site location the following year and a senior program site location the year after.
What happens each session? Do I need to come up with lesson plans?
Minds Matter NYC structures each session with designated activities and milestones. You will receive a preview of the week’s curriculum before you get to session and your Team Leader will review this material at the top of session. Volunteers are not responsible for lesson/curriculum planning. See below for more specific information based on the role:
How are the students selected?
Minds Matter NYC partners with more than 50 high schools across the city. Within these schools, we target students who are from low-income families (our average family income is $29K), and high-achieving—meaning they take the most rigorous courses available at their school, want to go to college, and exhibit maturity and ambition. Students apply for the program by completing an application, securing a nomination from a teacher or guidance counselor, and completing an interview with a current volunteer. We accept approximately 34% of applicants each year.
What support do volunteers receive?
Throughout the year, there is a scaffolded approach to ongoing support: volunteers are overseen by Team Leaders and Program Directors who work closely with staff; additionally, the staff is available for support, concerns, and questions.
What are other ways volunteers can contribute?
Volunteers can deepen their engagement by assisting with fundraising and recruiting other volunteers.