Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs This Christmas, help Tom get the learning support he needs.
Tom is a curious 8-year-old who loves pulling things apart, and dreams of being an engineer.
But a year ago, Tom’s dad became too ill to look after him and his brother, so they moved in with their grandma, and had to move schools.
Tom’s grandma, Nanna Sue, believes he can do anything, and she tries to support him as best as she can. But she sees how much he struggles at school and how finishing the year behind his classmates has impacted his self-belief.
But a year ago, Tom’s dad became too ill to look after him and his brother, so they moved in with their grandma, and had to move schools.
Tom’s grandma, Nanna Sue, believes he can do anything, and she tries to support him as best as she can. But she sees how much he struggles at school and how finishing the year behind his classmates has impacted his self-belief.
Poverty should never be a barrier to a child’s chance to fulfil their potential.
Tom is one of the 1 in 6 Australian children living with poverty right now.1 It impacts every aspect of a child’s life, including their confidence and self-belief.2 And it can block them from making the most of their education.
Like Tom, far too many Australian children living with poverty don’t have everything they need for school. This means they can fall further and further behind as the year progresses – and many start to believe they’ll never catch up.
Without the right support, the learning gaps can grow over time - making it harder for children to catch up, finish school, and access future opportunities. Research shows that by age 19, one in three Australian students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds did not complete Year 12, which can limit their career options and life outcomes.3
But you can change that. Your donation today will help provide the extra learning support all children deserve to progress with their learning and unlock their true potential.
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.
Please give generously this Christmas, to help provide children like Tom with access to proven out-of-school learning support from the start of the new school year.
Donate now 
Tom’s grandma is doing all she can. But she can’t give Tom the vital learning support he really needs.
Nanna Sue knows Tom really needs homework and reading help. But she’s working long shifts as a cleaner to keep the family afloat, so she only has time to cook dinner for the boys when she gets home.
She’s also worried because she never completed her formal education – and school has changed so much since she was a student.
Like all of us, Sue knows that education is a powerful agent of change. And she knows Tom needs extra support beyond what she can offer to help him achieve what she knows he’s capable of.
She’s also worried because she never completed her formal education – and school has changed so much since she was a student.
Like all of us, Sue knows that education is a powerful agent of change. And she knows Tom needs extra support beyond what she can offer to help him achieve what she knows he’s capable of.
Your support can help a child transform their learning next year.
There is a clear way to help children living with poverty rebuild their self-belief, confidence and academic skills.
Early intervention and consistent, tailored support in a safe, encouraging environment helps children overcome the obstacles poverty puts in their way.
You can help children like Tom access our proven, innovative out-of-school learning programs, to help them catch up and keep up at school.
I know Tom needs help with his homework, and his reading, but with all the extra work shifts I’ve had to pick up I just don’t have the time to give him that help.
Don’t let poverty take Tom’s chance to learn today and change his tomorrow. Please donate this Christmas.
Donate now Education is one of the most powerful agents of change.
When children have self-belief and an equal chance to learn, they can fulfil their potential and build themselves a better future.
Our out-of-school learning programs are proven to help children remain engaged with their learning and complete their education to Year 12. This in turn provides them with greater options for further study and employment.6
You can stop poverty taking a child’s self-belief and chance at a better future. Please donate today.
How your donation will help a student
student2student
A program where Tom is paired with a reading buddy close to his age. This innovative peer-to-peer reading support will help Tom grow his skills and confidence in reading to support future learning.
96% of participants improve their reading and 75% increase their reading level by up to two years.4
96% of participants improve their reading and 75% increase their reading level by up to two years.4
Learning Clubs
A program where Tom can work alongside a skilled volunteer tutor to practice her maths, catch up, and keep up with her schoolwork in a safe, supportive learning environment within her local community.
81% of participants in this program say it helps them do better at school.5
81% of participants in this program say it helps them do better at school.5
Frequently Asked Questions
* 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.
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.