Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs How poverty holds Australians back
1.2 million
Australian children and young people are living in poverty today.1
30% lower
Year 12 completion rate when students experience disadvantage.2
2+ years behind
behind in reading and maths by Year 9.3
Break the cycle of disadvantage.
Poverty can take so much, including a child’s self-belief.
Tom is a curious 8 year old who dreams of becoming an engineer. But when his dad became too ill to care for him and his brother, poverty forced Tom’s family into a new reality. Moving in with his grandmother meant starting over at a new school and facing the daily challenges of poverty.
Like 1 in 62 Australian children living with poverty, Tom has struggled all year at school, and now he’s ending the year behind his classmates.
Poverty steals more than school opportunities - it erodes a child’s self-belief and puts their future at risk.
Your gift can change that.
I’d really like to make things when I’m bigger – I think it’s called an engineer. But you need to be really smart to do that. And I don’t think I’ll ever be smart enough.
With the right learning support, Tom and thousands of children like him can catch up at school, rebuild their confidence, and build themselves a better future.
Donate now Your support gives more Australian children like Tom what they need to succeed.
As a donor, you'll help:
- Increase access to tutoring and mentoring, helping students develop confidence and skills to thrive in school.
- Support evidence based programs proven to build strong reading and numeracy skills, especially in early childhood and primary years.
- Engage students in out-of-school Learning Clubs and peer-supported reading programs, keeping them motivated and connected to their schoolwork.
How your donation will help a student
Your donation will help Australian children access the life-changing extra learning support they need to catch up, keep up, and achieve everything they're capable of.
94%
of children who participated in student2student literacy program have found their reading has improved.
84%
of students say that attending Learning Clubs helps them achieve more in class.
83%
students who take part in our high school readiness program Passport say they learn skills that will help them in high school.
Find out more about donating to our Christmas appeal
* Names have been changed to protect the family’s privacy.
1 The Smith Family (2022), Pulse Survey.
2 Parliament of Australia. The Extent and Nature of Poverty in Australia report. Chapter 4 – Child poverty.
3,4 The Smith Family Program Outcomes Summary 2023/24.
5 The Smith Family (2022). Pathways, Engagement and Transitions: Initial post-school transitions among young people experiencing disadvantage.