For Young People

No one should have to find their way alone.

Education and working life can be difficult to navigate when you do not have someone in your personal life who can offer steady advice, encouragement or practical guidance. The Wayfinder Network supports young adults aged 18–30 who are moving forward from childhood trauma, adverse childhood experiences or serious family instability.

Who this is for

This is about leveling the playing field.

The Wayfinder Network is not an open general career mentoring program. It is for people whose early life circumstances have limited the guidance, security or informal networks they could rely on while making education, career and adult-life decisions.

Young people who join The Wayfinder Network are program participants. That simply means you are taking part in the mentoring and community program; it does not define you by your experiences or require you to share more than you feel comfortable sharing.

You may relate if you have experienced

  • family estrangement or rejection;
  • care experience or growing up without consistent parental support;
  • the death or long-term absence of a parent or caregiver;
  • abuse, neglect, coercive control or serious family instability;
  • a parent or caregiver affected by addiction, imprisonment or severe ill health;
  • refugee experience, being the child of refugees, displacement or separation from family;
  • honor-based abuse or rejection connected to identity, sexuality or life choices;
  • other adverse childhood or family experiences that have left you navigating adulthood largely alone.

You do not need a perfect label

You may not identify with one specific category. You do not need to have experienced everything listed. What matters is that childhood trauma, adversity, displacement or family instability has affected the guidance, confidence or support you have had while trying to build your future.

What the Network offers

The Wayfinder Network offers two main forms of support: a Navigator and Harbors.

1. A Navigator

A Navigator is a mentor who can offer steady, practical guidance as you work toward your education or career goals.

  • explore education or career options;
  • understand a profession or industry;
  • prepare for applications or interviews;
  • build confidence in professional environments;
  • set goals and decide on practical next steps;
  • talk through important choices;
  • understand workplace expectations;
  • stay encouraged when progress feels difficult.
Your path remains yours.

Your Navigator will not make decisions for you or promise a particular outcome. Their role is to help you navigate your own path with more information, confidence and support.

2. Harbors

Harbors are peer-to-peer community spaces. They are designed to help people feel less isolated while navigating education, work and adult life after childhood trauma, displacement or family instability.

  • online community spaces;
  • career Q&As;
  • professional panels;
  • workshops;
  • application support circles;
  • alumni groups;
  • groups connected by shared experience, such as estrangement, care experience, refugee background or being the child of refugees.
Harbors are not about performing pain.

You will not be forced to share personal experiences. Harbors are about connection, learning and moving forward with others who understand.

How it works

Email [email protected] with the subject line Participant enquiry. Tell us your name and age, your current education or career stage, the path you are interested in, why the Network feels relevant to you and the kind of guidance you would find helpful.

What happens next

If the Network may be suitable, we will email you the introductory survey. The survey will ask a little more about your goals, interests, background, availability and the kind of Navigator or Harbor support that may be useful. Expressing interest does not guarantee an immediate place or match.

Interested?

The first step is simply to tell us a little about yourself.

Email [email protected] with the subject line Participant enquiry. Your email can start with Hello, I am interested in The Wayfinder Network...

Please include:

  • your name and age;
  • your current education or career stage;
  • the subject, profession or path you are interested in;
  • a brief explanation of why The Wayfinder Network feels relevant to you;
  • the kind of guidance you would find helpful;
  • your general location and availability.

You do not need to write a formal application. A few short paragraphs are enough, and you should only share what you feel comfortable sharing. After we receive your email, we will reply with the introductory survey.

Email [email protected]