YMDG
Young Minds Determined to Be Great
YMDG is a mentorship program that exposes young people to a broader view of the world. It strengthens their sense of identity and their belief in what's possible for the future. The program is paused while we raise funds to relaunch it.
A wider world, a stronger self
YMDG challenges the beliefs shaped by past education, experiences, and environment. Mentorship, small-group sessions, and conversations with people who look like them give young people a wider view of the world and of themselves.
YMDG is about identity. When young people see mentors who look like them build careers, businesses, and legacies, their belief in what's possible for their own future grows.
How to help
YMDG stays paused until the program is fully funded. Donating is the clearest way to bring it back.
Donate
Fund the relaunch. Every gift goes straight to bringing YMDG back for Topeka's young people.
Interested in mentoring when the program returns? Get in touch.
Four pillars
Every YMDG session is built around four outcomes that carry into school, work, and life.
Education
Better grades, stronger self-discipline, better study habits, and a real understanding of why education pays off.
Life Skills
The basics of financial literacy, fitness and nutrition, and the interpersonal skills that build a healthy, independent life.
Soft Skills
Communication, emotional intelligence, problem solving, and critical thinking, plus the tools to steer clear of negative behaviors.
Entrepreneurship
Creativity, innovation, and ownership, which strengthen the desire to build wealth, leave a legacy, and create impact.
The years that shape what's next
YMDG is built for middle school and high school youth. We previously ran separate boys' and girls' tracks and plan to bring that structure back as the program returns.
Paused while we raise funds
YMDG is paused while we raise the funding to relaunch it at a higher level. When it's back, dates, curriculum, and sign-up will be posted here.
What it looked like
YMDG ran at the Central Park Community Center. Young people volunteered at a local homeless shelter, and the program hosted guest speakers, trainings, and mentor circles that gave them room to grow.
Help us bring YMDG back
YMDG is paused while we raise the funds to relaunch it at a higher level. Your gift goes straight to bringing mentorship back to Topeka’s young people.
Donate