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View all programs “We never felt less-than”: Coleen reflects on the early kindness that led her to VIEW
29 April 2024
It was the 1950s, and Coleen was just five years old with two young siblings and more on the way. Her mother was caring for the family, while they were living with grandparents as they waited for housing. It was such a difficult time – then The Smith Family entered their lives.
“They gave us food hampers, clothing and financial assistance,” Coleen recalls. “We never felt ‘less-than’; the caring people from The Smith Family made sure of that."
“They gave us food hampers, clothing and financial assistance,” Coleen recalls. “We never felt ‘less-than’; the caring people from The Smith Family made sure of that."
Coleen never forgot that interaction, and decades later, The Smith Family re-entered her life. She’d moved to northern NSW with her husband Michael and was invited to visit her local VIEW club. Someone there mentioned VIEW’s connection to The Smith Family. This sparked Coleen’s curiosity, and she found out that The Smith Family was now focused on supporting the education of children living with disadvantage.
Coleen was delighted to learn that VIEW’s 14,000 members around Australia share a common goal: to support the work of The Smith Family. “I joined that night and found my purpose,” says Coleen. “Children are our future. To support children on their education journey is paramount.”
Coleen was delighted to learn that VIEW’s 14,000 members around Australia share a common goal: to support the work of The Smith Family. “I joined that night and found my purpose,” says Coleen. “Children are our future. To support children on their education journey is paramount.”
My heart is full re-living my Smith Family journey and the joy of VIEW.
In 2021, Coleen and Michael retired to Lowmead, a small, rural town in Queensland. With no local VIEW club, Coleen, with help from an experienced member of the VIEW leadership team, set to work to start one. Within six months Bundaberg VIEW Club was formed, with Coleen as President.
The Club’s 45 members worked hard to make connections in their community and have now raised enough funds to sponsor four students on The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program.
After a lifetime connected to The Smith Family, Coleen can’t think of a better way to give back. “The impact The Smith Family had on my life was huge,” Coleen says.
The Club’s 45 members worked hard to make connections in their community and have now raised enough funds to sponsor four students on The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program.
After a lifetime connected to The Smith Family, Coleen can’t think of a better way to give back. “The impact The Smith Family had on my life was huge,” Coleen says.
“Helping children experience a positive and happy school life is so important. I didn’t have all the items I needed in my early years, so I try every day for this to be available to the children Bundaberg VIEW Club sponsors.”
Now Coleen is helping lay the groundwork for a new VIEW club in another nearby community. VIEW offers women like Coleen purpose, skills development, social activities and friendship.
Along the way, members gain fulfilment knowing they are helping children experiencing disadvantage access life-changing support to reach their full potential. “Every child deserves the best education and the items and tools for them to grow, dream and prosper,” she says. “My heart is full re-living my Smith Family journey and the joy of VIEW.”
VIEW is a leading national women’s volunteer organisation, exclusively supporting The Smith Family. With around 300 clubs across Australia, VIEW members participate in numerous volunteering activities and collectively sponsor 1,725 students supported by The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program. For more information, visit view.org.au
Now Coleen is helping lay the groundwork for a new VIEW club in another nearby community. VIEW offers women like Coleen purpose, skills development, social activities and friendship.
Along the way, members gain fulfilment knowing they are helping children experiencing disadvantage access life-changing support to reach their full potential. “Every child deserves the best education and the items and tools for them to grow, dream and prosper,” she says. “My heart is full re-living my Smith Family journey and the joy of VIEW.”
VIEW is a leading national women’s volunteer organisation, exclusively supporting The Smith Family. With around 300 clubs across Australia, VIEW members participate in numerous volunteering activities and collectively sponsor 1,725 students supported by The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program. For more information, visit view.org.au
Read more student and family stories in our Autumn 2024 edition of Real People, Real Stories
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