Donate
All programs Education

Friendship Academy

Learning the practice of showing up — for ourselves and for each other.

We treat friendship the way we treat any other meaningful skill: something that benefits from study, reflection, and practice. The Friendship Academy is where UpStanders learn the craft.

What we cover

  • Active listening and presence
  • Boundaries that protect the relationship instead of ending it
  • Cultural humility — meeting people inside their own context
  • Trauma-informed friendship
  • Sustaining yourself so you can sustain others

Who it’s for

Whether you’re brand new to mentorship or you’ve been showing up for people your whole life, the Academy gives you a shared vocabulary and a community of practice. UpStanders complete the introductory cohort before moving into long-term commitments.