Education
Students at the MATTER Career Readiness Institution (MCRI) recently completed their latest certification course, finishing ahead of schedule with a 96% class average and record-breaking perfect scores. Even more exciting, every graduate is stepping into an apprenticeship or career pathway, with four beginning apprenticeships alongside Jamf engineering teams by the end of March.
At MCRI, the goal has always been clear: equip talented young leaders with the skills, mentorship, and real-world connections that lead to meaningful employment. This cohort is living proof. Each group continues to raise the standard, pushing what’s possible even further.
We’re grateful for partners like Jamf and their Customer Education team, whose commitment to accessible, high-quality training helps turn potential into profession.
From certification to career — this is what opportunity looks like!
The Chaya Project
On January 27, 2026, MATTER’s Chaya team led a training at Sacred Heart Mission School, engaging 440 students, 15 teachers, and 23 farmers. The day blended learning and action together incorporating classroom nutrition instruction, hands-on orchard planting, and a tasting of three Chaya recipes. By the end, students, teachers, and community leaders committed to making Chaya part of their daily diets, and the reference materials shared were embraced as practical tools to keep the momentum going.
During the training, participants learned how to establish and maintain Chaya orchards to create a sustainable food supply, while also celebrating Chaya as a heritage crop that strengthens traditional knowledge. Culinary uses of Chaya were also directly explored as teas and powders for medicinal and nutritional use, and prepared in local dishes with beef, peanut butter, and tomatoes, highlighting how easily it fits into everyday meals. The Chaya food program is building real traction, and expansion plans are already underway to deepen impact and extend food security.
Africa Stories Live! Reserve Your Spot Now!
We’re thrilled to announce the return of Africa Stories Live! Now in its fourth year in Minneapolis and in its inaugural year in Chicago, this powerful evening will immerse you in the stories and impact of the projects you’ve helped bring to life.
Join us for an inspiring gathering where you’ll hear firsthand from our partners on the ground—leaders who are transforming lives and communities through innovation, resilience, and hope.
This night is also a call to generosity. You’ll be invited to give boldly to MATTER’s Generosity Fund, which fuels our ability to launch projects that improve communities across the globe. Your generosity ensures that when our partners are ready to scale sustainable solutions, MATTER is ready to meet the moment.
Minneapolis
MATTER • April 28th at 5pm
7005 Oxford Street, St. Louis Park, MN 55426
Chicago
The Social Loft • April 30th at 6pm
2011 Tower Drive, Glenview, IL 60026
MATTERbox
The teams are locked in, the energy is building, and we can’t wait to see what happens when people show up ready to pack 10,000 meals to benefit kids and families. MATTERbox Madness is sold out and ready to roll on March 5th at the Mall of America®!
Next Up: National Volunteer Month in April! Now is the perfect time to start planning something meaningful for your team.
MATTERbox packing events events don’t just strengthen communities, they strengthen cultures. And the data from our packing survey benchmarks (above) show real impact for those organizations who take part.
If you weren’t able to join us for MATTERbox Madness, we can help you plan a fun and impactful packing event for your team during National Volunteer Month in April, or any time that works for you! Kick-start your MATTERbox Employee Engagement HERE!
Business Training
We recently welcomed the second Shamwari/Sinapis cohort to training in Zimbabwe. We believe this training will have a profound impact in helping these entrepreneurs discover their purpose in the business God has called them to launch.
Sinapis is a faith-based business training organization out of Nairobi that has trained 4,000 entrepreneurs across seven countries who have gone on to create 12,000 jobs and access $100M in investment capital.
MATTER is the first group to bring this training to Zimbabwe!