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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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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Why I became a sponsor with The Smith Family

Supporters

02 May 2019

Renowned educational researcher Dr Sue Thomson shares her personal story of supporting a disadvantaged student to thrive in their education.

“I started as a teacher more than 30 years ago. I’ve taught at a number of schools around Victoria. After going back to university part-time while was on maternity leave, I ended up moving into the research space and took a role at the Australian Council for Educational Research. That was 18 years ago and I still work there today.

Through my research over a number of years I’ve seen the impact that educational disadvantage has on students. Disadvantaged children start school already behind and, without support, that gap widens.

I wanted to do something to change those outcomes.

This is the first time I’ve ever had school shoes.

"I can see that The Smith Family’s long-term approach to working with disadvantaged students is effective. The support offered needs to start at an early age and be ongoing.

"That’s why I sponsor an Australian child with The Smith Family.

"It’s a personal choice based on what I understand matters about education – and what I know works to achieve better outcomes for disadvantaged young Australians.

"I’ve been sponsoring a child since she was in Year 4 and she’s now in Year 12. I’ll always remember what she wrote in her first letters: ‘This is the first time I’ve ever had school shoes; this is the first time I’ve ever had a school uniform; this is the first time I’ve been able to go on excursions.’

"As a sponsor, I’ve provided financial support and also communicated with that student. Through the letters we exchange, I ask her questions about what she’s doing at school and engage with her about her life. Just showing that interest has worked beautifully over the years.

"Because I travel a lot for work, when she was in Year 5 I sent her a map of the world and every time I go to a different place I send her a postcard. I don’t know whether she keeps them, whether she puts them up on the wall or whether they’re all in the bin, but given many of these kids have had no opportunity to travel or anything like that, I hope I’ve given her a little bit of insight into what’s out there in the world.”