ASCA

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
Donate now

For over two decades, ASCA has partnered with The Smith Family to help young Australians experiencing disadvantage realise their potential.

Unfortunately, 1.2 million children and young people are living in poverty in Australia¹, where even life’s basics can be hard to come by.

When families are experiencing financial disadvantage, children can fall behind in their learning, leaving them more vulnerable to experiencing hardship themselves later in life.

ASCA takes great pride in its partnership with The Smith Family, having contributed over $1.3 million towards our Learning for Life program. This program provides young Australians in need with long-term educational support in three ways.

three school kids in a library laughing together

Each child on the program receives:

Financial support for school essentials, like uniforms and books.
Personal support for the child and their family, to help children stay motivated at school, complete their education and go on to further training or work.
Practical support through our extra learning and mentoring programs – tailored to each child’s needs.

Through this much-needed educational support, together we are empowering young people to harness education and build skills to create better futures for themselves.

Find out more about ASCA’s community program.

1 Davidson, P; Bradbury, B; and Wong, M (2023), Poverty in Australia 2023: Who is affected, Poverty and Inequality Partnership Report no. 20. Australian Council of Social Service and UNSW Sydney

Interested in a tailored partnership built on shared value? Get in touch about a corporate partnership with The Smith Family today.