Right now 15,000 children are urgently waiting for sponsors.

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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  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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Sandy-Lee is so happy to be sponsoring a child, like she was

Sponsored students

13 January 2020

Life is going well for Sandy-Lee. She is happily married with two children and they have everything they need. But things were very different when Sandy-Lee was growing up. And she has never forgotten the sponsor who changed her life.

“We had a very hard upbringing. We attended 14 schools and experienced domestic violence. We were very poor. We hardly had food at home,” said Sandy-Lee.

“Before I was sponsored, I had old uniforms full of holes. The schools had upgraded their uniforms to a new design, but I still had the old one which made me stand out in a bad way.

“The Smith Family was a blessing. Sponsorship meant I had books and stationery for school. I got new shoes, bags and uniforms. It helped me so much with fitting in and not getting bullied.”

Sandy-Lee had always wanted to be a sponsor. In 2017, she made that dream a reality and couldn’t be happier.

“Knowing how much it helped me, I have always wanted to help a child in the same situation. It’s just money, but to that child it’s a lifesaver!” she said.

“As a child, I loved writing to my sponsor. It felt like someone cared for me. Now I get letters from my sponsored student and love it. Getting to know her is lovely. I write back and enjoy knowing she has a pen pal.”

These days Sandy-Lee is a long way from her childhood living in poverty. And she is so grateful to the sponsor who helped her break the cycle of disadvantage.

“The Smith Family really does change lives. It gives children a boost in the right direction. Just knowing someone is out there who wants you to succeed is an amazing drive,” said Sandy-Lee.

“I would not have graduated high school if it weren't for my sponsor. From being a child with a sponsor, to now being a sponsor myself is incredible!”