Minds Matter Detroit | Minds Matter Across America

When Patrick Martinez returned to his native Detroit in 2015, he realized his hometown needed Minds Matter.

Coming from a low-income background himself, Patrick understood first-hand the pressures Minds Matter students navigate every day. For Patrick, it was his older sister who made the difference in his life, making sure he graduated high school, went on to college, and ultimately launched a successful career in financial services.  

When Patrick’s career took him to Cleveland, it also brought him to Minds Matter. Like so many thousands of other volunteers across the country, Patrick found both a community in Minds Matter and the opportunity to serve. For Patrick, that opportunity had a special significance as it was how he could honor what his sister had done for him. After returning home, Patrick was determined to bring Minds Matter to Detroit to help those students just like him.

Building Minds Matter Detroit from the ground-up was a family affair for Patrick. As the youngest of five, Patrick leaned on his family’s network to make connections with schools and teachers, find volunteers, and—most importantly—recruit students. Not only did his family help launch the chapter, but three siblings and Patrick’s sister-in-law  joined him as volunteers!
With seed funding from the Taubman Foundation, Minds Matter Detroit launched in 2016. Over the last eight years, the program has grown to match the increasing local need.  This year, Minds Matter Detroit has partnered with SAY Detroit, an essential community center in the heart of the city, which will both house and expand the program.

As an all-volunteer chapter, Minds Matter Detroit embodies the best of both Minds Matter and Detroit—drive, camaraderie, and the belief that you can build a better tomorrow, today.
To learn more about Minds Matter Detroit, please visit www.mindsmatterdetroit.org for more!