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.
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- Ways to fundraise
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  Share your skills to help Australian children in need transform their lives through education.
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  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.
- 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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The kindness of strangers makes a powerful difference

Sponsored students

24 June 2022

There was a time when Lily didn’t think she’d make it through high school.

“I was raised by my single mum in a home filled with love, but also hardship,” she says. “We had a lot to cope with. Money was tight, and it was just really hard. I wasn't enjoying school and I probably would have dropped out.”

But when she was 12 The Smith Family came into Lily’s life.

“I had a sponsor whose help gave me my school essentials. Because of them, I didn’t have to go without. I also got dedicated support for my learning.

“My sponsor kept me motivated about going to school, even when things were really tough. Sponsorship didn’t just give me financial support and access to learning programs, but also emotional support which made an incredible difference.

"I realised that not only did my mum want me to do well - there were also these kind strangers helping because they wanted me to be educated. So as each year went by, I got more determined."

All Lily’s hard work has certainly paid off. After high school, she earned a place studying journalism at university, where she continued to receive vital support from her sponsor. Lily also had access to our Tertiary Mentoring Program, which helps students navigate their studies and make a smooth transition to work. This helped Lily as she worked towards her dream career.

Having broken the cycle of disadvantage in her family, the last five years have been thrilling for Lily. After graduating in 2017 she landed a job as a video journalist, then moved into Public Relations.

“I want everyone to know that just because you’ve known disadvantage, it doesn't mean that you're not going to be a valuable human being to society or a valuable member of the workforce,” Lily says.

“Without The Smith Family, I wouldn't have had the tools to do what I’ve done. But now I’m living my dream, and it’s made my mum so proud!

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