For 20 weeks, local teenagers were supported by Sydney Airport volunteer mentors through the Raise Foundation's program, giving them a trusted adult who showed up each week to listen, encourage and support them.

Recently, students from one of our local high schools celebrated a significant milestone, graduating from the Raise Foundation's youth mentoring program after completing a five-month journey of connection, growth and support.

Sydney Airport has proudly partnered with the Raise Foundation since 2020, providing financial support to help deliver mentoring programs for local young people, while also encouraging employees to volunteer as mentors.

Raise is a national youth mentoring organisation that works with public high schools to support students during some of the most important and challenging years of adolescence. Through its evidence-based mentoring program, students are matched with trained adult mentors who provide a safe, supportive and consistent presence in their lives.

Each week during Term 2 and Term 3, mentors from the airport and mentees meet one-to-one for around an hour at school. Those regular guided conversations help students build confidence, resilience, stronger connections and a greater sense of belonging.

Sydney Airport employees have embraced the opportunity to get involved, with more than 50 team members volunteering as Raise mentors since the partnership began. From frontline operational teams to senior leaders, mentors commit their time each week to listen, encourage and support local students as they navigate school and life.

From mentoring to meaningful experiences

A highlight of this year’s program was welcoming mentees, mentors and Raise staff to Sydney Airport for a full-day behind-the-scenes experience. The group explored the Integrated Operations Centre, visited the airfield and gained a unique insight into the diverse careers that keep Australia’s busiest airport operating every day.

The experience helped students understand what it takes to run an airport and discover potential future career paths.

The tour also provided an opportunity to celebrate the connections that had developed over the course of the program, with mentors and mentees sharing a memorable day together outside of the classroom.

The Impact goes both ways

Danica Quiggin, Sydney Airports Community Investment Manager, has just completed her first year as a Raise mentor and said:

“I've always believed in the value of the Raise program, however becoming a mentor showed me just how powerful those one-on-one connections can be. The weekly conversations, the trust that develops over time, and seeing my mentee grow in confidence throughout the program was incredibly rewarding. Watching her celebrate her achievements and believe in herself more than she did at the beginning made me realise just how valuable these connections can be.”

Scott Spencer, Head of Baggage for Sydney Airport, also completed his first year as a mentor and said:

“I had thought about joining the Raise program for a few years having seen Sydney Airport encouraging staff to sign up but was apprehensive as I didn’t have mentoring experiencing. This year though I decided I would take the plunge and whilst I was a little apprehensive at first, I quickly realised there were several other mentors in the same position and the support from the group was fantastic. I was paired with a great mentee and watching them grow in confidence throughout the program was incredibly rewarding. It’s an experience I am glad I said yes to.”

The impact of Raise mentorship

For Sydney Airport, the partnership with the Raise Foundation is about more than mentoring. It is about investing in the wellbeing and potential of young people in our local community.

By combining financial support, employee volunteering and experiences that show students new possibilities, the partnership helps young people feel valued, heard and supported.

Vicki Condon, Founder and CEO, Raise Foundation said:

“Life doesn’t come with an instruction manual and navigating the years between childhood and adulthood are amongst the toughest. Raise mentors’ step in during the critical years of 13 to 16 to listen, support and empower young people with the skills they need to survive and thrive during adolescence and beyond.”

Congratulations to all of this year’s graduates, mentors and the Raise Foundation team across Australia.

We are incredibly proud to support a program that is making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people across the country.