For 17 years, Raise has walked alongside young people during some of the most important and challenging times in their lives. This year marks a milestone moment for us — a transition into a new stage of connection, innovation, and expanded reach.
Our newly released Annual Impact Report 2025 tells the story of that journey: what young people need most right now, how we’ve evolved, and how mentoring continues to significantly change and save young lives across Australia.
From a small beginning to nationwide impact
Raise began in 2008, mentoring just 58 young people across 3 school programs.
In 2025:
- 2,870 young people were supported
- 189 mentoring programs were delivered
- 170 high school partners were supported, both in person and online
- 2,224 mentors volunteered
Our comprehensive evaluation of our programs continues to confirm what we see firsthand — mentoring works.
It strengthens confidence, develops help seeking skills, builds resilience, improves school engagement, and helps young people feel hopeful about their future.
A Raise mentee put it simply:
"It helps you with what you are afraid of, and it takes care of you if you are lonely."
Why mentoring matters more than ever
Australian young people are facing increasing pressures — from mental health challenges and cost-of-living stress, to school difficulties and uncertainty about the future. Young people entering our programs tell us they want:
- A safe space to talk openly and be listened to
- Help navigating school
- Support with mental health and relationships
- Advice and guidance from a trusted adult
- Help with future plans
Through mentoring, young people develop:
- Confidence and communication skill
- Coping strategies for stress and adversity
- Help-seeking behaviours
- A stronger sense of belonging at school
- Hope for the future
The tools and support we provide are life changing, shifting how young people see themselves and their futures.
A new chapter: Raise Digital
While schools remain the heart of our delivery model, 2025 marked a major step forward — the design and delivery of Raise Digital, our purpose-built online mentoring program.
After a successful pilot, Raise Digital supported 117 young people this year. It opens doors for young people who can’t access in-school programs, providing flexible, safe, and trusted support wherever they are. By 2030, we aim to be mentoring 5,000 young people annually, with half accessing online support.
This innovation allows us to extend our reach to those most in need, reduce delivery costs over time, and meet young people where they are — in a digital world.
It takes a village
Every mentor, donor, school partner, and supporter is part of the Raise Village. Together, we’re working toward a bold vision:
A trained and trusted mentor for every young person in Australia who needs one.
We invite you to explore the full story, the data, and the voices of young people themselves in our Annual Impact Report 2025.
Read the Raise Annual Impact Report 2025.
Thank you for being part of this journey — and for helping build a brighter future for young Australians.
