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.
Login
Child Sponsorship
Donate now

student2student helps Corey

Students on programs

13 November 2017

With generous support from supporters like you, last year Corey was one of 1,462 students who participated in The Smith Family student2student reading program.

"Corey [has] got a lot out of [student2student]. His reading is a lot better. And it helped me because [I struggle] at homework time," says Jean who cares for her 9-year-old grandson Corey.

Corey and Jean — Corey and his grandmother Jean

It's all so different from when I went to school. So I found [student2student] was a great help,

Jean says.

When Corey was going into Year 3 in 2014, he was behind in his reading and needed some one-on-one help. The Smith Family's reading program, student2student, paired Corey with an older student buddy who would ring him two or three times a week so they could read together over the phone.
"It has built up his confidence a lot. He's more motivated and before, we used to have problems with saying some words,” says Jean who has noticed a big improvement in Corey's reading and confidence.

"It's all so different from when I went to school. So I found [student2student] was a great help," Jean says.

"His buddy was a great help for him. If he got stuck on a word, she would help him."

Corey enjoyed the reading program and also thinks his reading has improved.
"[student2student] was fun. [My buddy] reads half of the book and then I read half of it. [When I make a mistake] I would ask her to spell it and sound it out and I asked for help," he says.

Jean, who has cared for Corey since he was baby, has received support and financial assistance through The Smith Family's Learning for Life program since Corey started kindergarten. She is grateful for both the financial support she receives and the access to programs like student2student which support Corey's learning and, reading development.

"It's very hard because I find kids are struggling at school to keep up and get an education today. Corey is very lucky because he's got me. A lot of kids don't have the support of their parents. I put myself out there to make sure he's getting the best education. Everything [from The Smith Family] is a great help. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'm so happy and pleased with The Smith Family. I'm so grateful," Jean says.

An evaluation of student2student showed that 95% of students who took part in the program improve their reading age.

Popular Searches

student2student helps Corey

Learn more

Spread the word

Hear from sponsored families

How we help

Watch our stories