They say it takes a village to raise a child. Yet disadvantaged children are often isolated and lack the support to face the extra challenges in their paths. That’s why it’s such an enormous achievement when our Learning for Life students graduate. When they collect their certificates at our graduation ceremonies, students often peer into the audience to exchange a smile with a proud family member. Instead, they find a whole community smiling back.
From their parents or carers, to their Learning for Life Coordinators, sponsors, volunteer mentors and Smith Family supporters, our graduating students have received much-needed support throughout their education.
Recently we celebrated the hard work of more than 1,700 Learning for Life students who graduated from high school, TAFE or university in 2016. It’s powerful proof that the support you help us to provide is working.
What’s more, in 2015-16, 84 per cent of former Learning for Life students were engaged in employment, education or training a year after leaving the program.
Due to the demonstrated success of the Learning for Life program, the Australian Government has pledged its support to enable us to reach an additional 24,000 disadvantaged students over the next four years. This means even more children in urgent need can benefit from our education support.
