At Raise, we see every day how one trusted relationship can change a young person’s life. Connection builds confidence, resilience and hope, especially for teens navigating a critical stage of life.
We know that connection is key to fighting the loneliness epidemic which is affecting people all around Australia despite us all being more digitally connected than ever before.
That’s why on 17 June 2026, we’re launching National Day of Connection, a simple, positive movement inviting everyone to pause and create one meaningful moment of connection.
Getting involved is easy:
💛 Buy and wear a National Day of Connection hoodie
💛 Make a donation
💛 Host a morning tea, bake sale or lunch
💛 Or simply reach out, a conversation, a check-in, time together
No pressure. Just real connection.
Sign up today at the link in our bio to receive your free supporter pack and be part of a national movement to combat loneliness and champion connection.
Together, small moments can create lasting impact.
#NationalDayOfConnection #RaiseFoundation #ConnectionMatters #EndLoneliness
Running for Raise changes lives.
Your fundraising enables young people to receive the support they need when they need it – in those vulnerable and crucial early teen years.
Mentors lives are also changed.
Sign up today. Your run can change, and maybe even save, lives.
-City2Surf now open and will sell out fast.
-HBF Run for a Reason happens 24 May.
-Run Melbourne happens 19 July.
Or choose one of the dozens of other ways you can Run for Raise in 2026 and change lives.
See links in our bio.
#Runforacause #Raise
National Volunteer Week
Raise is incredibly grateful to all our volunteers, whether through mentoring or offering their services to us.
Last year, 2,224 mentors volunteer to support young people, and since we began, 11,443 generous souls have ensured young people survive and thrive the challenging early teen years. Raise wouldn’t be able to support as many young people without the help of our community, with many volunteers returning year after year.
And the benefits go both ways.
For mentees, having a mentor can be life-changing, as they feel seen, supported, and heard by a trusted adult. Our mentors learn skills they use in their everyday lives to build better connections and create stronger communities.
Across our post-survey responses from mentors, we hear the same themes year on year around what volunteers gain from being a Raise youth mentor:
-Improved listening, communication, and relational skills
-Greater understanding of young people and youth issues
-Sense of purpose, contribution, and meaning
-Personal growth and self-reflection
-Increased confidence
-Connection and community
-Positive impact on wellbeing
If it’s your year to volunteer, you can find out more about mentoring via the link in our bio.
#Raise #NVW2026 #VolunteerYear
National Day of Connection – 17 June
We’re grateful to our amazing partner Canaccord Genuity who are currently matching all donations up to $25,000 for National Day of Connection. With one month to go before the day, you can donate now and ensure your dollars go twice as far.
Did you know?
All funds raised during National Day of Connection will enable Raise to provide more fully trained and screened mentors to young people around Australia thereby creating twice the connection! Young people and their mentors both benefit by meeting weekly during their mentoring journeys.
Connection is at the heart of everything we do at Raise and we’re glad that our partners Canaccord Genuity are helping us create more positive connections.
Donate today via the link in bio.
Connection changes lives.
Why connection matters more than ever.
Loneliness isn’t just about being alone, it’s about not feeling seen, supported or understood.
As Associate Professor Michelle Lim from Ending Loneliness Together explains, it’s the gap between the connections we have and the ones we actually need.
Right now, too many people are experiencing that gap. And when loneliness persists, it can impact mental health, wellbeing and a sense of belonging.
But not all connection is equal.
What matters most is safe, meaningful relationships built on trust and consistency.
Whether it’s a chat with your neighbour, a smile at a stranger, a coffee with a friend or an event to bring people together, every connection, large and small will help create thriving communities all around Australia.
Because connection isn’t just important - it’s essential.
See link in our bio to read more.
#ConnectionMatters #EndingLoneliness #YouthWellbeing #NationalDayOfConnection
Learn from our Raise Learning experts.
We run webinars throughout the year to share the critical pieces of the puzzle you need to help your family navigate the often challenging, teenage years.
All webinars cost $22 and places are limited.
👉 Book your spot today via the link in bio.
#Raise #RaiseLearning #HappyFamilies
Feeling disconnected? You’re not alone.
Loneliness is affecting millions of Australians, and chronic loneliness can be as harmful to our health as smoking.
Yet loneliness often goes unseen.
Connection isn’t a ‘nice to have’, it’s essential for all of us.
National Day of Connection is launching on 17 June, inviting everyone across Australia to take small, meaningful steps to build connection.
Get involved at school, at work, or in your community by:
• Hosting a morning tea
• Organising a team walk
Plan your moment of connection today and get your supporter pack. See link in bio.
Because connection changes lives.
#NationalDayofConnection #Raise #ConnectionMatters #EndLoneliness
Raise mentor Jack Morgan is so committed to supporting young people in his community that he’s trekking enough km’s to smash out more than 23 marathons in 23 days to raise money for Raise.
On 29 May 2026, he’ll be setting off on the Bibbulmun Track, one of the world’s great long distance walk trails. It stretches 1,000km between Albany and Kalamunda. Once Jack has trekked the entire track he’ll be known as a Bibbulmun ‘end-to-ender’, a title not many can claim.
When asked why he’s tackling this gruelling undertaking Jack says “I decided to combine my passions for trail running, hiking, and being outdoors with fundraising for a cause that really matters to me.”
👉 Tap the link in bio to read Jack’s full story.
💙 Inspired? Donate via the GoFundMe link in our bio to help him reach his goal.
#Raise #Youthmentoring #Communityimpact
We invite you to join us for the Raise Ripples Women’s Circle Annual Lunch.
Featuring @georgiegardner9 and @jeankittson AM in conversation with Raise CEO and Founder Vicki Condon AM, this inspiring afternoon brings together a community of women supporting young people.
Hear how Raise early intervention mentoring is helping to change — and even save — lives, while enjoying a shared Italian banquet and wine in the harbourside setting of @ventunorestaurantsydney
With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s also a perfect opportunity to celebrate the important women in your life — we warmly encourage you to bring along friends, family, or colleagues.
Event Details:
📍 Location: Ventuno, 21 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay
📅 Date: Tuesday 5 May 2026
⏰ Time: 12:00pm – 2:30pm 🎟️ Cost: $149 per person (booking fees apply)
Tickets are limited and must be purchased via the link in bio.
About Ripples Giving Circle
The Ripples Giving Circle connects women to support Raise’s mentoring programs, helping young people build resilience, connection, and confidence. You can find our more via the link in bio.
Please share with your network as @srghospitality are generously supporting this event.
Youth Week 16-26 April 2026
This week, we’re celebrating the incredible young people who choose to Dream. Dare. Do. by taking part in Raise mentoring programs.
It takes real courage to try something new, and we’re so proud of every young person who joins us. Our programs, whether in-school or via Raise Digital, are all about creating a safe, supportive space where they feel heard, without judgment. Together, we explore important topics like understanding strengths, setting goals, learning to ask for help, building positive friendships, and standing up for themselves.
We’re deeply grateful for the opportunity to support young people on their journey, alongside our amazing volunteer mentors. Watching them grow in confidence and develop the skills to thrive, now and into the future, is what it’s all about. 💙
#Youthweek #Raise #Mentoring
Raise team member Kate had been jogging for years but stepped out of her comfort zone and stepped up the pace this year to support young people at the most critical time of their lives. On 3 May Kate will be running 10km in the HOKA Runaway Sydney Half Marathon.
“Fundraising has been an excellent motivator for my own fitness, and even more so seeing how strongly Raise's work resonates with others.” Says Kate.
“If young people and volunteer mentors can keep showing up, even when things feel hard, I can keep training. On race day, I'll keep putting one foot in front of the other because of them, and because of my friends, family, peers and colleagues who've shown their support.”
You can support Kate's fundraiser here: /raise-foundation/kate-wilson
Or, you can do your own Run for Raise. There are events all over Australia right through the year /
#Raise #Runforacause
Our 2026 Raise Patron’s Lunch was held at the Fullerton Hotel, a beautiful afternoon to celebrate and reflect on the impact our mentors make for young people.
This year, the event was hosted by the charismatic and entertaining Jean Kittson. It was a delight to have her MC the event, especially as a longstanding Raise ambassador.
David Gonski AC, Patron, interviewed special guest Dr Andy Kuper AO, Founder and CEO of LeapFrog Investments. It was both inspiring and grounding to hear about his childhood challenges of feeling “different,” and how he ultimately found his tribe. Today, he is a globally recognised and highly successful investor and social entrepreneur.
This year’s event also featured something new. For the first time, our Founder and CEO, Vicki Condon AM, led a panel discussion with Raise mentee graduates and members of our Junior Youth Advisory Council.
This celebration wouldn’t have been possible without our Raise corporate and philanthropic partners to whom we give our sincere thanks for staying with us in the Raise village. They power all that we do. We also give thanks to our team, Board, Advisory Councils, Ambassadors, Ripples members, and partners.
Thank you for supporting Raise and young people across Australia. Your impact means the world to us and makes a truly meaningful difference.
#Raise #Patronslunch #Impact #Youthmentoring
