Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs Help stop poverty from holding Ava back.
A new year should mean a fresh start for Ava
At this time of year, children across Australia are looking forward to the start of school. But 8-year-old Ava is already worried about the year ahead.
With poverty affecting her family more than ever before, she began falling behind in her schoolwork last year and struggled to catch up. Now, she’s wondering if this year will be any different.
Starting the school year with confidence is incredibly important to a child’s self-esteem and motivation. Just like any other child, Ava deserves to get off to a good start.
With poverty affecting her family more than ever before, she began falling behind in her schoolwork last year and struggled to catch up. Now, she’s wondering if this year will be any different.
Starting the school year with confidence is incredibly important to a child’s self-esteem and motivation. Just like any other child, Ava deserves to get off to a good start.
I wasn't good at reading last year. I don't want to be bad at school again this year.
Through no fault of their own, Ava’s family is under serious financial pressure.
Back when Ava’s mum Rachel was with her husband, they used to just make ends meet. But since they’ve separated, things are even worse, with Rachel having to support Ava and Ava’s 5-year-old brother Noah on her own.
Rachel is doing everything she can to improve the family’s situation, juggling full time work in a café with part-time study to become a teacher so she can give the family a better future. Rachel cuts her hair and the children’s hair at home. And the family eats a cheap tin meal one day a week, with Rachel ensuring her children have a more nutritious meal the following day.
Rachel is doing everything she can for her family, but things are a real struggle. Her long hours haven’t left much time to help Ava and Noah with their school work.
Rachel is doing everything she can to improve the family’s situation, juggling full time work in a café with part-time study to become a teacher so she can give the family a better future. Rachel cuts her hair and the children’s hair at home. And the family eats a cheap tin meal one day a week, with Rachel ensuring her children have a more nutritious meal the following day.
Rachel is doing everything she can for her family, but things are a real struggle. Her long hours haven’t left much time to help Ava and Noah with their school work.
Working and studying makes it so hard to find the time to help Ava with her homework – I hate seeing her struggling now because she never used to find school this difficult.
Give children like Ava a chance to catch up with their learning.
As Ava moves into Year 3 next year, she will no longer be learning to read, but reading to learn.
Research shows that early intervention is crucial to help children like Ava overcome the barriers poverty puts in the way of their learning.2
With your help, Ava can access out-of-school learning support she needs to reach her full potential.
Research shows that early intervention is crucial to help children like Ava overcome the barriers poverty puts in the way of their learning.2
With your help, Ava can access out-of-school learning support she needs to reach her full potential.
Here’s how your donation helps children like Ava succeed at school
Targeted homework support
Our Learning Clubs create an ideal environment for children to do their homework and get help with specific subjects. It’s a safe space where they can connect and socialise with other children their age when such opportunities are difficult for families to provide.
Essential literacy
Our innovative student2student program pairs students with a reading buddy. By reading together, students quickly catch up on their reading skills while also getting an important boost to their confidence and making a new friend.
Motivating careers
When they reach Year 5, students like Ava get access to our Future Seekers program for exploring career ideas. This motivates children to stay engaged in their learning right through to Year 12 as they prepare for exciting opportunities ahead.
Evidence backs our learning support
81%
students said that attending Learning Clubs helped them do better in class,3 which is why it’s vital that Ava gains access to this support.
96%
student2student participants improve their reading6 by helping them build crucial learning foundations.4
79%
Future Seekers participants reported they had developed initial understanding of the diversity of work.5
Children like Ava need your support to gain access to the learning programs proven to catch them up on their schoolwork.
Donate now Find out more
Learning clubs
Learning Clubs provide a safe and supportive out-of-school learning environment where primary or secondary students can participate in activities that develop their academic skills, such as homework, numeracy and literacy.
Future seekers
Our Future Seekers program provides interactive opportunities for primary school students to explore the world of work.
Passport program
The Smith Family’s Passport program prepares students for the important move from primary school to high school through the opportunity to increase their skills, knowledge and attitude to manage the step up to a new learning environment.
1 2023, Poverty in Australia 2023: Who is affected? UNSW/ACOSS
2 Cunha F & Heckman J (2007),The technology of skill formation. American Economic Review, American Economic Association, Vol. 97, No. 2, p. 44.
3 The Smith Family (2023), Learning Clubs Outcome Summary
4 The Smith Family (2023), student2student Outcomes Summary
5 The Smith Family (2023), Future Seekers Outcomes Summary
* Names, family details and associated images have been changed to protect the family’s identity.