Platinum Minds

The Future We Are Creating

New Jersey’s inner cities are in free fall - ravaged by poverty, crime, drugs, gang violence, and high unemployment. Children here have precious little support and guidance to help them navigate their way out of the ghetto. Thus many of them are likely to repeat the cycle of poverty that they are born into. Community groups and non-profits try to provide support for these students.

Platinum Minds is a New Jersey non-profit 501(c)3 that helps boys from the inner city and other challenging environments break the cycle of poverty by placing promising students in better high schools and exposing them to extracurricular learning and leadership opportunities. With mentoring and guidance, these “Scholars” complete high school with B averages or better and go on to higher learning institutions. Along the way, Scholars are taught the importance of community service and community leadership and begin mentoring younger students just like them.

How We Are Creating It

The Platinum Minds Tuition Assistance Program,helps academically talented and motivated students leave under-performing and unsafe schools and attend safer and more academically-oriented private and parochial schools. Getting a private or parochial school education is expensive though. Even with scholarships and family sacrifices, there is often a gap. That’s where Platinum Minds comes in, filling the gap between what schools can offer as scholarships and what families can afford.

Last year, the Platinum Minds Tuition Assistance Program helped 3 students attend better schools but regrettably had to turn others down because of a lack of funds. This year, they’d like to help even more. The goal is 6 students.

Our Story & Why You Should Support Us

Platinum Minds was founded in 2007 by Yvette Long and consists of a core team of supporters, volunteers, and support staff. Their mission is “to collaborate with other community organizations in a joint effort to assist academically motivated boys from environmentally challenged areas with achieving their academic potential and becoming leaders in their communities.”

Platinum Minds has 23 scholars that have been given opportunities and experiences they would otherwise not have - workshops, symposiums, summer camps, tutoring, better high schools, college application assitance, etc. Examples of projects include:

1. Community Leadership project. Platinum Mind Scholars talked with residents in some of the toughest neighborhoods in New Jersey - Newark, Asbury Park, Trenton, and Camden - about the problems facing their communities and how ways young men like themselves can effect change. The result is a video"Common Problems, Common Solutions"

2. "Entrepreneur Leadership Symposium". Scholars met with community leaders and worked together towards identifying and solving community problems.Click here for photos of the symposium.

3. Frederick Douglass Reading Program. Scholars tutor elementary school students in reading.Click here to hear the Scholars talk about the experience.

At least 95% of Platinum Minds scholars show an increase in leadership responsibility and gain a higher self-esteem; 95% lead others in an activity or service program provided by Platinum Minds; 90% acquire a new skill; 95% will engage in a completely new and rewarding endeavor. As a result of our programs 100% of the participants will gain an understanding of the importance of high academic achievement and community involvement.