Across Australia, young people are struggling in ways we haven’t seen before.
“We’re in a youth mental health crisis,” says Vicki Condon, Founder and CEO of Raise Foundation. “Raise connects young people with trained mentors — someone to listen, ask questions and be their cheerleader.”
The program running one hour a week, over 20 weeks, is changing young lives, but it’s an idea Vicki almost didn’t act on.
“I had a business plan for mentoring,” Vicki says. “But I sat on it … a crisis of confidence.”
Then something happened that made waiting impossible.
“Our family experienced the death by suicide of a 14-year-old friend. That’s when I thought, ‘This is not okay.’ I founded Raise, thinking if we could just help one young person, that would be worth it,” she says.
Seventeen years later, that one idea has blossomed.
“We’ve now had 19,000 young people in the program and trained 12,000 mentors,” Vicki says. “It belongs to lots of other people now.”
Raise’s mission is simple.
“The mentor comes in at the same time each week … and they sit and talk one-to-one,” Vicki explains.
“Sometimes they play cards … just be together. Other weeks, they unpack bigger challenges — from anxiety and bullying to family trauma or isolation. It’s whatever they bring. A lot of the young people in our program haven’t had that consistency,” she says.
Some of the most powerful moments come at graduation, when young people reflect on the experience.
“One young girl said, ‘I don’t talk in front of people … I just want to say thank you,’” Vicki recalls. “‘Because if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be alive right now.’ And it’s not just that child. It’s their family, their friends. I know we’re helping young people head off on a different pathway.”
Other stories stay with her for different reasons.
“One boy spoke about his dad leaving and a stepdad who had been violent,” she says. “What he was grateful for was this male role model — his mentor, the first man in his life who taught him how to be a good man.
“You don’t always know what a young person needs,” Vicki says. “But that’s what they take from it.”
The need for strong connections is growing.
“Across Australia, we’re seeing an epidemic of loneliness,” Vicki says. “It’s now one of the top issues young people are bringing into the program.
“This is real, eye-to-eye, heart-to-heart conversation — what’s lacking in our communities and what brings generations back together. And mentors often say they got as much out of it as their mentee did,” Vicki says. “It’s a win-win.”
Raise is built on generosity — but it’s not just about giving financial support.
“We talk about time, treasure, talent or ties. Mentoring, donating, sharing skills or connecting others to the work — it all matters. But sometimes, the most powerful thing you can give is your time.” — Vicki Condon, Founder and CEO, Raise Foundation
Share your time or skills — whether it’s lending your expertise or giving your time, there are many ways to support your community. Consider how to give this SA Giving Week.
