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- 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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Shannon and Tyler's story

Students on programs

29 September 2015

Moving her family from a remote community, Shannon and Tyler’s mum Kelly, noticed how far behind her 11 year old twins were in reading and writing. After participating in The Smith Family’s student2student reading program and receiving support from their sponsors, they are now ready to start high school.

“They have both picked up a lot at school. We were thinking of keeping them down next year, but the principal told me they can actually go up to high school”, Kelly said.

They have both picked up a lot at school. We were thinking of keeping them down next year, but the principal told me they can actually go up to high school.

Kelly, Shannon and Tyler's mum

The student2student reading program helped Shannon and Tyler improve their reading skills and build their confidence at school.

Using mobile phones, connectivity and credit donated by Optus, Shannon and Tyler practiced reading aloud to older student buddies. The trained buddies would ring the boys three times a week to help them read books provided by The Smith Family. When Shannon or Tyler stumbled over words, their buddies used reading tips to help them sound out the word.

Shannon and Tyler’s Learning for Life Coordinator said both boys improved their reading over the course of the program.

In addition to student2student, Shannon and Tyler have sponsors who help to pay for school excursions and extra school activities so the boys don’t miss out.

Kelly is grateful for the support from Smith Family sponsors.

“The twins do the same things at school, the same camps and the same sporting events. [The sponsorship] has made school costs a lot easier”.

With the generous support of sponsors and volunteers, we are helping to break the cycle of disadvantage.

The twins do the same things at school, the same camps and the same sporting events. [The sponsorship] has made school costs a lot easier.

Kelly, Shannon and Tyler's mum

Hear firsthand from the disadvantaged children and families you support. Seynab, Claire and Tahlia all share their stories.

Help us spread the word, share our work and make a life-changing difference to the lives of Australian families and children.

Taking part in events is a great way to get involved in your local community and support disadvantaged Australian children.

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Shannon and Tyler's story

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