Mentor program aims to raise up high-schoolers

Before that can happen though, Raise Foundation program counsellor Fiona Simmons is calling for voluntary mentors.

Raise, in partnership with the NSW government's Youth Frontiers Initiative, is providing the program to Dubbo College Delroy Campus students who could benefit from having a positive adult role model to talk to each week.

"We are looking for people in the local community to join us as volunteer mentors," Ms Simmons said.

"Raise empowers the lives of young people through the Ismo and Youth Frontiers program in high schools.

"The organisation has grown from strength to strength since its inception in 2009, and more than1600 young people have now benefited from our mentoring programs."

Interested volunteers might be retired, parenting at home, studying, have flexible working hours, or an interested community member of any age.

Mentors involved in other programs run by the organisation range in age from 25 to 82.

"Volunteer mentors don't have to be teachers or experts to be a mentor, just be a good listener and able to act as a sounding board for ideas and aspirations," Ms Simmons said.

"An older person's skills and life experiences can make a real difference to a young person, and it just takes a few hours a week, a positive outlook and a genuinely compassionate interest in young people.

"Our mentors make a very tangible difference in the lives of our youth, and they are like liquid gold to us."

Raise's mentor training course will take place at Dubbo TAFE on Tuesday, March 29 from 9am-5pm. Mentoring will then take place at a Dubbo College, Delroy Campus on Tuesday mornings in term time for terms 2 and 3 (late September).

For further information or to become a mentor, you can email mentor@raise.org.au or visit the website www.raise.org.au.