By Ewen McRae
The Raise Foundation is on the hunt for the next crop of youth mentors as it prepares for a big 2019.
The charity – which runs mentoring programs for high school students – is looking for mentors to help it run programs at Sunshine Secondary College’s North and Ardeer campuses, as up to 29 students are waiting on a mentor.
The program is aimed at students at risk of disengaging from education.
Ahead of International Volunteer Day on December 5, Raise evaluation director Carol Sandiford said the mentor program had a valuable role in the community.
“At Raise Foundation we believe that change comes from the heart of local communities and rely on these communities for our volunteer mentors,” Ms Sandiford said.
“We wanted to take the opportunity on International Volunteer Day to say a big thank you to our volunteers, as well as a call-out to those who can spare two hours a week next year and help to change a young person’s life.
“An unexpected benefit of volunteering is that it’s not just the young people who benefit. Being a mentor gives our volunteers a strong sense of purpose, helps them become better listeners and feel more connection to their community.”
Applications to become a Raise mentor are open for 2019. Volunteers undergo a screening process and 12 hours of free mentor training prior to the program commencement.
Applicants must be at least 21 years old, available for two hours a week during school hours, able to commit for 23 weeks between March and September, and able to attend 12 hours of face-to-face training.
Apply at raise.org.au/volunteer.
