The Gift of Goodbye: Why is the process of graduating from Raise’s mentoring program so important?
As we approach the end of Term 3 in schools around the country, we start to ponder the Raise Youth Mentoring program coming to an end for another year and reflect on how our young people will feel saying goodbye to those trusted adults in their lives they’ve come to call their mentor.
"I have enjoyed the Raise mentoring program. I've come out enjoying myself after each week and some of the things I have done in this program have been really fun. The mentor talks have helped me with some of the things I needed help with like me being tough on myself and me not coping to well at times." Raise Mentee, 2023
Graduation is an integral piece of the supported closure between mentees and mentors in Raise’s program. It is celebration during which the match can share with each other and the wider group (as well as guests from the school and community) messages of thanks and gratitude.
It is an important time to acknowledge all the growth that has taken place during the program and to encourage the young people to consider what comes next after they part ways with their mentor for the final time.
"I feel that I can trust my mentor. She cares for, guides, supports and inspires me. I felt safe with her and I'm grateful for her. It has been amazing. It's been helping me to grow as a person and to learn how to cope with many situations. I've become more confident, happy and i have a new perspective on life." Raise Mentee 2023
During the ceremony, some young people choose to make speeches, others to read out a shorter message of thanks. Some might sing a song they’ve written or heard that resonates with the situation and others bring along a piece of art they’ve created to reflect on how far they’ve come in the program.
Both the mentors and the students received a graduation certificate, a token acknowledging how far they have come. It is usually presented to them by their Program Counsellor, a school contact or local dignitary. This invokes feelings of pride and provides a lasting momento of the Raise youth mentoring program.
Before parting ways for a final time Mentors write a letter to their mentees. They call out their mentee’s strengths, share anecdotes and learnings and include personal wishes for their mentees’ future. These messages of encouragement are well received.
In the Raise Youth Mentoring program, graduation isn’t the end. Following the formalities of graduation with the extra guests, decorations and special food is a session called Gift of Goodbye. Its purpose is to complete the supported separation process with mentee and mentors to facilitate healthy closure. It is an intimate farewell between the match. It is also an opportunity for everyone in the group to write a word of support to every mentee in the program.
We know that hope for the future is a statistically significant outcome for young people who experience having a raise mentor. Mentors also help young people to build confidence and become increasingly resilient. The raise program nurtures a sense of belonging in the school, community and within friendship groups.
"I feel a lot better about the friendships I am currently in and feel I can manage them better. It's been a great experience for me overall and I feel like I've made some new friends and have a more optimistic view on life now." Raise Mentee 2023
And so, it is through experiencing graduation and the gift of goodbye that young people are able to reflect on their time in the program, how far they have come and how the future will flourish. It is also a wonderful demonstration the power of showing up for young people, every day, in every way.
“I feel much more motivated and confident about myself, I feel inspired to achieve the best for me." Raise Mentee 2023
