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Raise Foundation is calling on the community to help it address a volunteer mentor shortage at Swansea High School.

The not-for-profit foundation’s Ismo, or In School Mentoring Opportunity, program pairs adults with life experience to share, with high school students who are most at risk of disengagement.

Belmont North volunteer Cherylin Beever has seen first-hand the profound impact this can have on a young person’s life.

“It’s such a positive experience to see their confidence grow,” she says.
“Sometimes you feel like these young people don’t have anyone batting for them.
“So, it’s nice to know you can make a difference as a neutral role model who they don’t otherwise know through school or their family.”

Mrs Beever started as a mentor at Glendale Technology High School last year after reading about the program in Newcastle Weekly.

This year she will share the love at Swansea, and is excited about the prospect of supporting yet another young person.

Volunteers are asked to give two hours of their time each week over the course of the 20-week program.

Although activity booklets, training and support are provided, the mentor experience is completely mentee-guided: some weeks Mrs Beever says they’ll chat over cards or a board game, other weeks she might help the student tidy up their resume and look for job opportunities.

Although an ex-primary school teacher, Mrs Beever highlighted that no prior experience is needed to be a mentor; just a listening ear and a positive attitude.

This year, Raise Foundation has committed to supporting 1,500 students across the country.

To find out more about volunteering, or to apply, go to raise.org.au/volunteer

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