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
  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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Jared's story

Students on programs

28 January 2015

“Jared’s disability can make life hard sometimes as it can create learning difficulties. But it doesn’t stop him from aiming high,” says Janet, mum to Jared, student2student participant. The family is no stranger to life’s hurdles. Jared’s parents have disabilities that prevent them both from working full-time. While they regularly volunteer in their small community, the family lives on a limited income and the children face daily challenges in accessing educational support.

Jared with mum Janet — Jared with mum, Janet

student2student has helped me read more. I hadn’t read alone for a while before the program, and using the mobile phone to practice reading out loud with my buddy is really fun.

syas Jared

Eleven-year-old Jared and his older sister are sponsored through Learning for Life, which allows them to participate in extracurricular activities to enhance their learning. Jared is also an enthusiastic participant in student2student. The chance to practise his reading over the phone with an older, trained student (his reading buddy) for 20 minutes two to three times a week, is all the encouragement he needs to work towards his goal of improved literacy.

Research shows that 95% of students who participate in the program improved their reading age. Since starting student2student, Jared has already increased his reading level from age 8.0 to age 9.1. And he’s determined to keep improving. Jared’s reading has improved dramatically, and his mum is incredibly proud watching her son’s confidence grow.

With no outside family or cousins around, someone like Rylee (his reading buddy) showing a real interest has been amazing, and of course his reading has improved. Jared really looks up to Rylee and they have a real hoot on the phone!

Says Janet, mum to Jared

Thank you to Optus for its ongoing national support of the student2student reading program and to all of our volunteers who so generously give their time.

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