Raise Foundation to recruit volunteers to mentor at-risk youths at Colo High School

The mentoring program will begin at Colo in Term 2, allowing students from years 8 and 9 to gain early intervention and work one-on-one with their own mentor.

Deputy principal, Andrew King, said he had seen the program in action at another school and was "really excited" to see it being rolled-out at Colo High.

"Raise has so many benefits, but the way it helps students to positively connect and engage with their learning is invaluable," Mr King said.

According to Raise, the program allows young people to feel supported, valued and listened to by an independent mentor.

It can have a number of positive outcomes for mentees including increased confidence, resilience, ability to set goals, improved coping skills, hope for the future at school and beyond, and also helping to identify trusted adults to ask for help, the Foundation claimed.

Janeve Freidman, Raise Program area manager for Colo, said mentors were being recruited now from the local Hawkesbury community.

"The mentees get to spend time with a trusted adult who is committed to meet with them for an hour each week to simply listen to whatever that young person wishes to speak about," Ms Freidman said.

"Being part of a Raise mentoring program, our young people benefit from increased resilience, connection and capacity to deal with the challenges as they navigate adolescence."

Mentors are trained in active listening skills, setting goals and learning how to relate to young people and support them with any issues they may be facing.

"Our mentors gain so much from the programs as well, and we often hear they have taken the positive skills learnt in the role as a mentor, back to their workplaces or family life. They find it so rewarding to help a young person identify their key strengths and to be a supportive person in their lives," said Ms Freidman.

Volunteers mentors are asked to commit two hours a week to the program.

The Colo High program will occur on Fridays from 10.20am to 12.20pm from April until September.

Apply to be a volunteer mentor at www.raise.org.au/mentor.