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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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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Breakfast with a mentor

Supportive networks and positive role models are important in building self-belief and intention to stay at school.

Due to circumstances beyond their control, many Indigenous students face additional challenges at school and on the path to adulthood. These students may have limited opportunities to meet people who can inspire and motivate them to stay in school and achieve their full potential.

Not getting the most from their education impacts the chance these young people have of finding work and building a better future for themselves.

What is Breakfast with a mentor?

Breakfast with a mentor is program that helps to make schools a more welcoming place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and children.

Children are provided with a healthy breakfast and access to a sympathetic adult to hear from and talk to. It's a calm and orderly start to the day and parents and younger siblings are welcome to join for breakfast.

The aim is to provide parents with a ‘soft entry’ into the school environment to help break down barriers between school and home.

The program also provides the opportunity for students to meet role models and community leaders who can inspire them to fulfill their potential.

How Breakfast with a mentor helps

Schools report a positive impact beyond just the physical importance of the children having had breakfast.

Participants value the ‘examples of people who have achieved interesting things with their lives or new perspectives on people they already knew, such as teachers.’(Evaluation of The Smith Family’s Girls at the Centre program. Centralian Middle School, Alice Springs, The University of Sydney, 2012)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs

Breakfast with a mentor

What is Breakfast with a mentor?

How Breakfast with a mentor helps

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs

Girls at the Centre

Our actions toward reconciliation

Reconciliation Action Plan