Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs Give a child like Josh a chance to achieve their best this school year
Josh works so hard and is filled with hopes for the future.
Every child should be going back to school feeling confident that with hard work, they can achieve all they’re capable of.
But for 8-year-old Josh, who loves tigers and dreams of becoming a vet in a zoo one day , that’s not yet true. He tries so hard and has so much potential, but financial disadvantage is standing squarely in his way. And it’s blocking his access to the learning support that all children need to thrive.
Now, he’s starting the school year behind his peers. Without the extra support he urgently needs, learning will keep getting harder and his whole future could be at risk.
Josh’s family is facing severe financial stress and it’s impacting his education.
Two years ago, Josh’s mum suffered a stroke, leaving her unable to work.
Josh’s dad, Mick,* does his best to care for her full-time, as well as look after their four children. But losing their main source of income, on top of the rising cost of living right now, has plunged the family into poverty.
Josh takes on as much as he can to help his dad around the house, which leaves him little time and energy for schoolwork. And while Mick makes time to read with Josh every day, he doesn’t have the skills to support him with his maths as his mum once did.
I love reading with Dad. It’s the best bit of the day. But he can’t help with maths like mum did.
Poverty is the only thing preventing Josh from achieving everything he works for.
Josh loves school and should have a chance to achieve his dream of becoming a “big cat vet” one day.
But his family’s financial situation means that he ended last school year behind his classmates – despite all his hard work and support from his dad and teachers.
Now, he's going back to school without the support he urgently needs to stay engaged with his learning, catch up with his maths, and achieve all he’s capable of.
Too many Australian children are missing out on vital learning support.
Right now, over 1.2 million Australian children and young people are living with disadvantage.1
With the rising cost of living pushing more families even deeper into poverty, a growing number of children are facing daily challenges that can prevent them from achieving their best in school ─ despite their parents’ and teachers’ best efforts, and through no fault of their own.
We know education is one of the most powerful agents for change.
With your help, we can give children in need like Josh access to the crucial learning support all children deserve so they can finally fulfil their potential without poverty holding them back.
You can help a child like Josh build a better future for themselves
No child should miss out on the chance to achieve their best this school year because of financial disadvantage.
Your gift will make a life-changing difference for Australian children growing up in poverty, by providing access to our out-of-school learning programs ─ which are proven to build a child's skills, boost their confidence, and help them to stay engaged with their learning.2
Help give children like Josh an equal chance to fulfil their potential as the head back to school, by providing access to the extra learning support they need to thrive.
Donate now How your donation will help children like Josh achieve their best
Supporting vital learning
Josh will have the opportunity to attend one of our Learning Clubs, where he’ll be able to get help with his maths from a skilled volunteer tutor – and have access to a supportive space to do his homework.
Nurturing aspirations
Our Future Seekers program provides interactive opportunities for primary school students to explore the world of work. This will help guide and encourage Josh to use his strengths and interests to complete Year 12 and pursue his dream of becoming a vet at a zoo.
Preparing for secondary education
When he reaches Year 6, our innovative Passport high school preparedness program will empower Josh to learn crucial, practical skills to help him transition successfully to high school.
The impact of our learning programs
75% of students said that attending Learning Clubs helped them do better in class,3 this is exactly the extra support Josh needs to catch up and keep up this year.
71% of students taking part in Future Seekers reported a greater understanding of the diversity of jobs,4 Josh can receive crucial guidance on using his strengths and interests to pursue his dream career.
83% of students5 who took part in our high school readiness program Passport said they learnt skills that will help them in high school, Josh can be prepared for this pivotal point in his education.
Right now, Australian children like Josh urgently need your help to achieve their best this year, and beyond.
Donate now Find out more
Learning Clubs
At Learning Clubs children receive ongoing help from skilled volunteer tutors to help them catch up, improve their skills and build their confidence with their schoolwork.
Passport Program
When they reach Year 6 children like Amy can participate in our Passport program to help them successfully transition to high school.
* Josh’s name, family details and associated images have been changed to protect his family’s identity.
1 Poverty in Australia, 2020, ACOSS/UNSW Report.
2 Attendance Lifts Achievement Report. 2018
3 The Smith Family’s Learning Clubs Program Outcomes Summary, 2021
4 The Smith Family’s Future Seekers Program Outcomes Summary 2020/21
5 The Smith Family’s Passport to Success Outcomes Summary, 2020