There are still 4,532 Australian children who need extra learning support by this Christmas.

Our Programs
- Literacy programs
  Providing resources and support to help children living with disadvantage achieve the required reading standard.
- Technology programs
  Providing children and young people living with disadvantage with the critical skills, access, and equipment they need.
- Numeracy programs
  We support early years educators and community professionals in building foundational math skills in children under their care.
- Learning for Life
  Providing holistic, long-term support for disadvantaged young Australians throughout their education.
- Mentoring programs
  Mentoring programs for students living with disadvantage that provide the encouragement they need to build aspirations for their future.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs
  Our work engages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in learning through education, life skills and role models, promoting culturally responsive practice.
Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs
Get Involved
- Ways to fundraise
  Learn about fundraising and give back to the community with The Smith Family.
- Volunteer with us
  Share your skills to help Australian children in need transform their lives through education.
- Partnerships
  Learn how your organisation can partner with The Smith Family and help build a better future for Australian children in need.
- Careers
  We aim to provide a working environment where staff and volunteers have the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.
- Events
  Participate in events and activities that support young Australians experiencing disadvantage.
- VIEW clubs of Australia
  Learn about VIEW, a leading women’s volunteer organisation and support network with over 16,000 members, across Australia.
Ways to Give
- Sponsor a child
  Through child sponsorship, you will be matched to an Australian child in need, helping to support the cost of their school essentials.
- A gift in your will
  Ensure that future generations of Australian children have the support they need to make the most of their education.
- Monthly donation
  Become a monthly donor and provide continual support throughout all stages of a child’s education.
- Philanthropic giving
  Through your philanthropy, you can ensure that young Australians impacted by poverty get the education that all children deserve.
- Single donation
  Your donation will help young Australians in need by providing access to our Learning for Life education support programs.
- Workplace giving
  Making small, regular donations to The Smith Family through Workplace Giving is an easy way to help change the lives of young Australians living in poverty.
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Child Sponsorship
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Our learning and mentoring programs

Thanks to the support of thousands of generous Australians, and the dedication of our staff and volunteers, we provide vital learning and mentoring programs to thousands of disadvantaged Australian children and their families.

Our programs help build skills, knowledge, motivation, self-belief and a network of positive relationships with parents, peers and significant others. This support increases a young person’s likelihood of remaining engaged with school, completing Year 12 and developing realistic and informed study and career pathways for life beyond the school gate.

Find out more below about three of our learning and mentoring programs: Learning Clubs, student2student and iTrack.

Learning Clubs

Learning Clubs are a safe and supportive out-of-school learning environment for primary or secondary students.

Students can do their homework or participate in numeracy and literacy activities, with the assistance of skilled volunteer tutors.

Learning Clubs improve the learning success of disadvantaged students and positively influence educational and personal outcomes.

In 2016-17, 87% of students agreed that going to a Learning Club helped them do better in class.

Find out more about Learning Clubs here>>>

student2student

Students who need to improve their reading are matched with peer buddies in our student2student program. Students and buddies receive an identical book pack from The Smith Family. The student and their reading buddy speak on the phone two to three times a week, over an 18 week period. The student reads to the buddy, who assists the student with their reading and offers encouragement and praise.

Student2student runs across Australia and our generous partner Optus provide funding, and technical expertise with mobile handsets and services. In 2016-17, 96% of students improved their reading ability because of student2student.

Find out more about student2student here>>>

The Smith Family proudly recognises Optus for its longstanding support of student2student. Since 2010 Optus has provided mobile phones, connectivity and credit to readers and buddies.

iTrack

iTrack is an online mentoring program for high school students in Years 9 to 11.

Students are carefully matched with a supportive adult (other than a teacher or parent) who mentors them, and gives valuable guidance about study, workplace and career opportunities.

iTrack helps students build aspirations for the future and learn how to reach their career goals.

In 2016-17, 81% of students agreed that their mentor helped them feel more confident about their future job, career or study options.

Find out more about iTrack here>>>