Help provide vital educational support to 11,705 Australian children 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.
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- Ways to fundraise
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- Volunteer with us
  Share your skills to help Australian children in need transform their lives through education.
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  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.
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  Participate in events and activities that support young Australians experiencing disadvantage.
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  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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When COVID-19 struck, we acted fast to keep students supported

Students on programs

09 July 2020

Over 3,2000 disadvantaged students attend our Learning Clubs each year. It’s a safe and supportive environment where they can get help with their homework after school from local volunteer tutors. For many, it’s the only way they are able to keep up at school. When physical distancing measures meant we had to close our Clubs, we knew we had to act quickly. It sparked the trial of our digital Learning Clubs.

“Something I've heard constantly is that a lot of the parents haven’t had the opportunity to complete their education. Their kids were being given this work from school to keep them going during COVID-19. The kids were not quite sure how to do it, so they would ask their parents. A lot of parents struggled with that homework, unable to support,” said Kathy, one of our Learning Club Program Managers.

“When schools were closed due to COVID-19, it meant our Learning Clubs were also closed. We were trying to still support students during the lockdown. It was time to try moving across to a digital platform.”

Thanks to the ongoing generosity of our supporters, we were able to act fast. Not only did the trial answer students’ immediate needs, but it also gave us insights into longer term needs. And our volunteer tutors played a critical role.

“It happened really quickly. We worked together to understand how we could take Learning Clubs from face-to-face to online delivery. We focused on senior secondary school (Years 10, 11 and 12), since they were coming up to the end of their schooling. And most students of that age have access to technology,” said Kathy

When schools were closed due to COVID-19, it meant our Learning Clubs were also closed. We were trying to still support students during the lockdown. It was time to try moving across to a digital platform.

“Three weeks later we trialled our first digital Learning Club in regional Victoria, working with the Learning for Life Coordinators to identify students who wanted the support. After that we rolled out more trials in other states.

“We learned different ways to share with students. Tutors could write on paper then show students their calculations. We also used whiteboard on Zoom and we utilised the sharing of screens. The volunteer tutors were so passionate that they went out of their way to find ways to use technology to support our students. I think that was absolutely a beautiful thing!”

With the success of the trial, we are now exploring this offering on an ongoing basis.

“Our students are already behind the eight ball when it comes to education. Being able to provide access to a digital Learning Club, during COVID-19 and ongoing, could answer some of the needs of our students. A lot don't have access to transport. So it's giving an opportunity to those students,” said Kathy.