Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs Donate to our Winter Appeal to help provide learning support for children in poverty
A donation is not only tax-deductible, it will give children like Leah access to the vital out-of-school learning support to help build a better future for herself.
Rising living costs recently forced Leah and her family to relocate to a more affordable rental home, which meant she's had to change schools. For those living with disadvantage it is increasingly difficult to make ends meet. It can force them to make impossible choices between essentials like housing and education.
Starting at a new school in the middle of term 2 has been scary, and the disruption is having a profound effect on her learning. Her year 3 classmates had already established friendships and gaining knowledge and confidence, further highlighting Leah's challenges in adapting to this critical school year.
Rising living costs recently forced Leah and her family to relocate to a more affordable rental home, which meant she's had to change schools. For those living with disadvantage it is increasingly difficult to make ends meet. It can force them to make impossible choices between essentials like housing and education.
Starting at a new school in the middle of term 2 has been scary, and the disruption is having a profound effect on her learning. Her year 3 classmates had already established friendships and gaining knowledge and confidence, further highlighting Leah's challenges in adapting to this critical school year.
Leah dreams of building a home for her family where they "never have to move again." She understands the importance of doing well in school to achieve this. But disadvantage is causing her to fall further and further behind in her learning, especially in maths.
Despite her resilience, 8-year-old Leah's aspirations are hindered by the cycle of poverty. Leah, with a bright spark of ambition, represents the potential found in every child.
The future could hold endless possibilities for Leah. But growing up in poverty, Leah faces daily barriers that her more advantaged classmates are fortunate to avoid.
Despite her resilience, 8-year-old Leah's aspirations are hindered by the cycle of poverty. Leah, with a bright spark of ambition, represents the potential found in every child.
The future could hold endless possibilities for Leah. But growing up in poverty, Leah faces daily barriers that her more advantaged classmates are fortunate to avoid.
I love building and drawing houses. I want to make that my job.
Disadvantage affects more than just grades; it impacts futures.
In just two years, Leah has had to change schools twice, but that's not the only obstacle she faces due to poverty.
Her mother, Kim, a hospital orderly, has tirelessly worked to give her daughters the best possible start in life, despite facing her own struggles and leaving school early to support her family.
Her mother, Kim, a hospital orderly, has tirelessly worked to give her daughters the best possible start in life, despite facing her own struggles and leaving school early to support her family.
These financial pressures have now led Leah's 17-year-old sister, Bec, to make the difficult decision to leave school and put her dreams on hold, so she can work full-time.
Kim and Bec try their best to support Leah, sharing a love for reading with her, but neither of them has the confidence to help her with maths. Their living situation doesn't help either, with them all cramped into a tiny one-bedroom apartment, offering little space for Leah to do her homework.
Kim and Bec try their best to support Leah, sharing a love for reading with her, but neither of them has the confidence to help her with maths. Their living situation doesn't help either, with them all cramped into a tiny one-bedroom apartment, offering little space for Leah to do her homework.
My mum and sister help me with reading, but maths is tough. I need to be good at it to design buildings.
You can give children like Leah a chance to build a better future for themselves
Right now, 1 in 6 children and young people in Australia are growing up in disadvantage.1 As a result, they can face daily challenges that prevent them from achieving their best at school – limiting the potential of countless children like Leah.
However, there is hope. Through early intervention and targeted support that’s proven to help children boost their confidence and build core skills, they can receive the help they need to overcome these challenges2, so they’ll have the best possible options for further study or employment.
Your donation will open the door for Leah to join one of our Learning Clubs, where 76% of attendees report improved classroom performance3. She will get help with her maths from a volunteer tutor and have a supportive space to do her homework.
Additionally, your generous donation today can enable Leah to participate in our Future Seekers program. This innovative initiative lets primary school students explore the world of work, showing children like Leah the endless possibilities an education can offer.
However, there is hope. Through early intervention and targeted support that’s proven to help children boost their confidence and build core skills, they can receive the help they need to overcome these challenges2, so they’ll have the best possible options for further study or employment.
Your donation will open the door for Leah to join one of our Learning Clubs, where 76% of attendees report improved classroom performance3. She will get help with her maths from a volunteer tutor and have a supportive space to do her homework.
Additionally, your generous donation today can enable Leah to participate in our Future Seekers program. This innovative initiative lets primary school students explore the world of work, showing children like Leah the endless possibilities an education can offer.
Your help will help provide our proven out-of-school learning support as early as Term 3, so Leah can catch up and develop the learning foundations she needs for her success this year and beyond.
Your support can change lives. Give Leah the chance to build a brighter future. Donate now to empower children to learn today and transform their tomorrows, ensuring they have the opportunity to pursue a brighter future.
Please donate today and give an Australian child in Leah’s position a chance to build a better future.
Donate now How your donation will help a student
Future Seekers
To help Leah learn what’s possible and set her goals and aspirations for life beyond school.
With 71% of students reporting a greater initial understanding of the diversity of jobs4, Leah too can receive guidance on how to best use her strengths and interests to pursue her dream of becoming an architect.
With 71% of students reporting a greater initial understanding of the diversity of jobs4, Leah too can receive guidance on how to best use her strengths and interests to pursue her dream of becoming an architect.
Learning Clubs
So Leah can have an ideal study environment and receive the tailored support she needs to catch up and keep up with her maths.
84% of students said going to our Learning Club makes them try harder at school.5
Passport Program
To prepare Leah for the important transition to high school - which can pose major challenges for students living with disadvantage.
83% of students6 who take part in our high school readiness program Passport say they learn skills that will help them in high school.
Despite these obstacles, Leah remains determined to improve and achieve her goals. Her situation is a clear call to action. Leah's future depends on the support you provide today.
With your support, Leah’s better tomorrow could start today. Your donation will help her access the life-changing extra learning support she needs to catch up, keep up, and achieve everything she’s capable of.
With your support, Leah’s better tomorrow could start today. Your donation will help her access the life-changing extra learning support she needs to catch up, keep up, and achieve everything she’s capable of.
FAQs
* Leah’s name, family details and associated images have been changed to protect his family’s identity.
1 Poverty in Australia 2023: Who is affected? UNSW/ACOSS2. Lamb S., Jackson J., Walstab A. and Huo S. (2015), Who succeeds and who misses out, Centre for International Research on Education. Systems, Victoria University, for the Mitchell Institute, Melbourne.
2 Cunha F & Heckman J (2007) ‘The technology of skill formation’, American Economic Review, American Economic Association, Vol. 97, No. 2, p. 44.
3 The Smith Family, 2018, Education outcomes report: Attendance lifts achievement.
4 The Smith Family’s Learning Clubs Program Outcomes Summary, 2022.
5 The Smith Family’s Future Seekers Program Outcomes Summary 2022.
6 The Smith Family’s Passport to Success Outcomes Summary, 2022.