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Change the course of a child's life this Christmas

Media releases

20 November 2019

High res photos and CEO soundbites available for download here

As Australians start to think about the gifts they will share over the festive season, children’s education charity The Smith Family urges them to also consider stepping up to help change the course of a child’s life, by supporting their education to break the cycle of poverty.

Launching its annual Christmas Appeal to provide thousands of children living in disadvantage with wrap-around educational support, the charity says it’s a critical time to help families doing it tough.

“Christmas is a very special time for many families, but for some it can be a difficult reminder that they’re struggling more than others,” says The Smith Family’s CEO, Dr Lisa O’Brien. “Right now, there are 1.1 million young Australians struggling daily with the effects of financial hardship brought on by range of circumstances including accidents, illness or unemployment within the family. Our research shows such difficulties can take a tremendous toll on children’s educational outcomes.”

With generous support from the public, The Smith Family aims to raise $4.3 million nationally through its Christmas Appeal. This will provide more than 10,000 children in 2020 with essential learning support and mentoring programs to help them catch up, and keep up, at school, so they can go on to break the cycle of disadvantage.

“More than half of students supported by The Smith Family have a parent or carer who didn’t complete Year 12,” says Dr O’Brien. This can pose a big obstacle in being able to help children with their homework.”

“The parents of these students are doing their absolute best to get their children educated, but they often have the odds stacked against them. Challenges include an inability to provide resources for their child’s education, limited access to digital technology and skills, and a lack of knowledge or confidence about how best to support their child’s educational development,” says Dr O’Brien.

But research shows The Smith Family’s wrap-around out-of-school learning support for disadvantaged children increases the likelihood of them finishing Year 12. This in turn increases the chances of young people going on to further study, training and a job.

“Completing school gives young people the best chance of experiencing a better future and breaking the cycle of poverty. So this Christmas, the best gift you can give is to change the course of a child’s life by helping us to support them,” Dr O’Brien says.

Along with donations to its Christmas Appeal, the organisation is also calling on the community to donate new toys and books for 27,000 children it supports, which will be delivered with the help of hundreds of volunteers on December 15^th.

“The Smith Family was founded at Christmas time in 1922 by five businessmen who, aware of the extent of poverty in their communities, gave gifts to boys at a local orphanage. Each year we continue this tradition through our Toy and Book Appeal. While the focus of our work today is firmly on helping children by supporting their education year-round, it’s still a priority for us to see them included at Christmas and receiving a gift,” says Dr O’Brien.

Australians can help this Christmas by:

Making a donation to help a child keep up at school through our reading and mentoring programs and after-school Learning Clubs.
Purchasing a toy or book for a child in need through The Smith Family’s online charity gift and/or donating a new toy or book.
Sponsor a child to help them with their education over the long term.
Volunteering your time, skills and energy to support The Smith Family’s work.

For more information, go to thesmithfamily.com.au/christmas-charity or call 1800 024 069.

Media Enquiries:

Charlotte Glennie, National Media Manager, The Smith Family – ph 0420 407 886 | charlotte.glennie@thesmithfamily.com.au

Lisa Harmer, Media Advisor (NSW & ACT), The Smith Family – ph 0466 955 633 | lisa.harmer@thesmithfamily.com.au

The Smith Family is a children’s education charity that helps disadvantaged young Australians to succeed at school, so they can create better futures for themselves

Facebook: @thesmithfamilyaustralia | Twitter: @smithfamily_org | LinkedIn: @The-Smith-Family

Media contacts:

Andrew Dickson | National Media Manager (National) - 0421 285 529 | andrew.dickson@thesmithfamily.com.au
Carla Horton | Senior Media Advisor (QLD & WA) - 0423 618 776 | carla.horton@thesmithfamily.com.au
Reid Jermyn | Media Advisor (VIC, SA & NT) - 0412 803 566 | reid.jermyn@thesmithfamily.com.au
Ben Chenoweth | Senior Media Advisor (NSW, ACT & TAS) - 0413 346 934 | ben.chenoweth@thesmithfamily.com.au

The Smith Family is a national children’s education charity that helps young Australians experiencing disadvantage to create better futures for themselves through harnessing the power of education. We partner with around 800 Australian schools and work with over 162,000 children and young people experiencing disadvantage access our education support programs to help them overcome . For more information, visit thesmithfamily.com.au