City Link Mentor Program

Transforming futures through connection, support, and opportunity

Since 2015, the City Link Mentor Program (CLMP) has supported students from disadvantaged backgrounds in Sydney Catholic Schools by combining financial assistance with the transformative power of mentorship. The program is built on a simple yet profound belief: education opens doors, and with the right support and guidance, a student’s future can be changed for life.

What the program offers

Each year, the CLMP matches students with experienced mentors who:

• Mentor one or more students
• Support each allocated student financially ($5,000 per annum paid as a tax deductible donation to the Catholic Education Foundation)
• Meet with their student each school term (in-person or online)
• Offer advice, share experiences, and help students set meaningful goals
• Encourage students through school, exams, and career exploration

About our students

Students are nominated by their school Principal for demonstrating strong academic potential and a genuine commitment to learning. Following nomination, they undergo a competitive selection process, including a detailed application and interview.

Most participants enter the program in Year 8, after being nominated in Year 7. Many are first-generation Australians or refugees who face barriers that could limit their educational opportunities without targeted support.

Real impact, real stories

• Nearly 200 students and 106 mentors have been part of this life-changing program
• Over 100 graduates have gone on to pursue careers in medicine, law, teaching, finance, and more
• Our students walk away with confidence, connections, and clarity about their future
• And it’s not just the students who benefit—mentors consistently tell us the experience is just as rewarding and transformative for them.

Beyond the classroom

The CLMP provides more than just funding and mentoring:

• Students attend leadership workshops, business etiquette events, and visits to universities and workplaces.
• Activities help develop social confidence, career awareness, and life skills
• In the past, memorable opportunities have included News Year’s Eve at Admiralty House, afternoon tea with the NSW Governor, Lunch at Parliament House with the NSW Premier, and immersive experiences in regional towns.

Why it matters

For many students, this program is a turning point. It equips them not just to succeed in school, but to thrive in life. With your help, we can change a student’s trajectory and often, their family’s future too.

You’re invited to join our community

Join our community of passionate mentors, donors, and supporters below. Whether you’re ready to become a mentor or would like to support the program in other ways, your involvement makes a lasting difference.