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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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.
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Child Sponsorship
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Liana was able to choose a career for today’s world

Sponsored students

20 November 2017

“When Mum was working, she suffered a serious injury. She couldn't work anymore after that. The Smith Family has been there for as long as I can remember,” said Liana, aged 18.

It was nine years ago that Liana’s life changed forever. Without work, Liana’s mum wasn’t able to give Liana the things she needed for school. Then a kind individual decided to sponsor Liana’s education.

“Oh, everything changed so much with the sponsorship. It lessened the strain. I was able to go to school with new clothes instead of old ratty clothes. Without sponsorship there would have been so much I would have missed out on, like excursions,” said Liana.

“I always considered my sponsor to be my guardian angel. I was extremely grateful. They took that time, that little bit out of their budget every year. They helped some random kid that they didn't even know get through the struggles of life.”

The support for Liana’s future didn’t stop there. Supporters and volunteers also came together to help Liana make a plan for her goals after school. It was through our online mentoring program iTrack.

“It was pretty interesting having a mentor to talk to about career opportunities. It was a fun time, to talk to somebody else. Not a counsellor, not a mum. Not anybody close to you who would judge you,” said Liana.

“My mentor helped clear up some of the expectations and worries that I had. It made me actually really rethink my career path.”

Now Liana feels confident about the path ahead. With ongoing sponsorship, she’s studying at university and has a job as a student ambassador.

“I'm doing a gaming course at university. It’s designing and coding and all that fun stuff. Now I'm thinking of becoming a teacher in gaming,” said Liana.

“Without The Smith Family, I don't even think I would have finished Year 12.

“I am proud of how much I have achieved. It means a lot to my mum too. Just knowing that I'm now not in her shoes. I'm not growing up unemployed and struggling.

“We’re really grateful for all the help The Smith Family supporters and my sponsor have given us.”

To meet more of our sponsored students, click here. To read more about iTrack, click here.