October 2025, Newsletter
Saturdays Are Back in Session!
Words From Our New Executive Director, Johnna Loreen (Minds Matter class of 2010)
The fall is an especially exciting time at Minds Matter as we welcome a brand new class of ambitious students into the program. We also have the immense privilege of watching last year’s seniors become freshmen again as they embark on the college journeys that they’ve worked so hard to begin. Every student is entering a new phase of their education and we are deeply honored to be able to provide them with support and mentorship as they invest in their futures.
To everyone who has helped make Minds Matter’s work possible - we are so grateful for you. Our dedicated volunteers, generous donors, and the parents who place their trust in us to help shape their child’s future - Minds Matter Portland wouldn’t exist without you. Thank you so much for your support. As the year kicks off, we hope you’ll continue to follow along the journeys of our hard-working students as they dedicate their Saturdays to creating their futures and making their college dreams a reality.
Program Kickoff! 🎉
September 27th marked the official program kickoff for all of our cohorts. This year at our NE Portland site, we have 52 students representing 12 different high schools in the Portland Metro area. We’re also ringing in our second year at Hillsboro where our 2 cohorts represent 7 local high schools. Every Minds Matter student makes a very special commitment; they could spend their Saturdays doing all kinds of things, but they choose to show up and spend that time investing in their futures. And in return, we are fully committed to providing every support we can to set them up for success in college and beyond.
Seniors
Our senior class is hard at work on college applications, learning how to tell their unique stories through their personal statements. They’re also honing their activities list and the list of colleges to which they will apply. To help them learn more, admissions counselors from Colgate University and Scripps College have visited Saturday sessions, with seven more planned visits this fall from Bowdoin College, Boston University, Pomona College, Brandeis University, Swarthmore College, Washington University in St Louis, and the University of Rochester.
Juniors
During the first session, students and mentors reconnected for the first time since May, catching up on all that happened over the summer. Students shared about their pre-college summer programs and also prepared to take their first practice SAT. Minds Matter will offer SAT prep leading up to the official SAT test date in March.
Sophomores
Our brand new sophomore cohorts met volunteers from diverse backgrounds, careers, and companies to kick off their Minds Matter experience. Students and mentors will spend the first four weeks of sessions meeting each other before matches are made at the beginning of November.
Minds Matter will also have our first college visit of the year on November 8th at the University of Portland!
We Still Need Volunteers! 📢
Join us at Minds Matter Portland in NE Portland or Hillsboro.
Mentor (NE Portland & Hillsboro) – Build a lasting connection with students while helping them explore colleges, careers, prepare for summer programs, and build critical professional skills. Mentors meet on Saturdays from 12:30–2:30pm and commit for 2 or 3 years.
Tutor (NE Portland and Hillsboro) – Support students academically with writing, mathematics, SAT prep, and homework help. Tutors meet on Saturday mornings from 10am–12pm.
Class Lead (NE Portland & Hillsboro) – Facilitate mentoring sessions for a cohort of students and volunteers. Oversee the curriculum, support mentors, and ensure students receive the resources they need to succeed. Sessions meet on Saturdays from 12:30-2:30pm.
Know anyone who would be perfect for these roles? Please pass this along to them!
A special thank you to all our AMAZING volunteers and supporters!
We couldn’t do this work without your incredible compassion and commitment.
- Minds Matter Portland Staff: Johnna, Reed, Danielle, and Nancy <3
