A Boost for the Next Generation: PAYCE Foundation supports mentorship program growth

A youth mentorship program is delivering exceptional support in the Southern Highlands of NSW, thanks in part to a $20,000 donation from the PAYCE Foundation.

Raise Youth Mentoring Program, supported locally by the Southern Highlands Community Foundation (SHCF), is a national not-for-profit providing early-intervention, school-based mentoring to young people facing rising pressures such as loneliness, financial hardship, and mental health.

Research shows that a caring, non-parental Mentor helps teens build resilience, belonging, and hope for the future.

SHCF Chair Jennifer Bott AO said the partnership with PAYCE Foundation has been vital in both raising awareness and driving “real and lasting change”.

“Together we’ve provided confidence, hope, and mentors to those who need them most, creating a powerful community of support,” she said.

“It means the world to us, and it makes the world of difference.”

In 2025, Raise successfully delivered 189 programs to 173 schools across the country, supporting 2,753 mentees, while also launching Raise Digital – a national online mentoring platform.

Bott said Raise mentoring achieved “statistically significant impact” for young people in all four key outcome areas: help seeking, resilience, school engagement and hope for the future.

“Everything we do is about improving outcomes for young people,” she said.

“And this year has continued to show consistent impact in the lives of the young people in our programs.”

Raise mentors are matched with students who have weekly one-on-one sessions for 23 weeks, concluding with a graduation celebration.

The program’s curriculum is designed to strengthen the mentor-student relationship while building key skills in mental health support, social and emotional wellbeing, and school engagement.

Curriculum topics align with the Australian Student Wellbeing Framework and cover areas such as identity, help-seeking, goal setting, resilience, future planning, community connection, and job-seeking.

“Looking ahead, we’re thrilled to embark on new initiatives together, further empowering and uplifting the next generation,” Bott said.

PAYCE Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan said supporting young people helps strengthen local communities.

“Youth wellbeing ensures young people can participate fully in their communities and are more likely to transition successfully into adulthood,” he said.

“We want to ensure younger generations have the opportunity to make real, positive change, which has a ripple effect into future years.”

Sullivan said the PAYCE Foundation, which is a major supporter of the Southern Highlands Community Foundation, looks forward to seeing Raise continue its impact on young Australians.

“We’re happy to be a part of the important work Raise and the Southern Highlands Community Foundation are doing,” he said.