2,227 children urgently need support before they head back to school.

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
  Learning for Life is an innovative, evidence-based program that supports students throughout their education to achieve positive long-term outcomes for young people experiencing disadvantage.
- 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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  Share your skills to help Australian children in need transform their lives through education.
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  Learn about VIEW, a leading women’s volunteer organisation and support network with over 13,000 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.
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  Ensure that future generations of Australian children have the support they need to make the most of their education.
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  Become a monthly donor and provide continual support throughout all stages of a child’s education.
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  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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Student2Student Buddy Phase1 (26S2SbudQLDPH1)

Location: Virtual Online, QLD
Position Type: Student2Student Buddy Phase1 (26S2SbudQLDPH1)
Time Commitment: 20mins reading sessions, 2-3 times per week across an 18 week period. Phase1 runs during school terms 2 & 3 (excludes school holidays)

The Smith Family's student2student 2026 Phase1 program is a unique and effective peer-to-peer reading support program which matches older Buddies (like you!) with a younger student to help improve their reading skills, confidence, and enjoyment.

Buddies will commit to 20 min reading sessions, 2-3 times per week across an 18 week period.

You will need to complete a short Online Training Module, as well as attend a Training Session prior to program commencement. You will also need to participate in ongoing check-ins with the S2S Program Specialist throughout the reading period.

Phase 1: 4th May to 18th September

To become a student2student buddy you will need to:

Be in Years 7-12 of high school
Be under 18yrs of age
Have high literacy skills
Have good communication skills
Be friendly, positive and encouraging
Appreciate the benefits of helping others, including someone from a different background
Be able to commit to the full 18 week program
Have access to an iPad, tablet, laptop or desktop computer with Google Chrome
Have access to broadband internet with a speed that supports streaming
Able to commit to 2 or 3 session per week - late afternoons / early evenings
Phase 1, runs during school terms 2 & 3 (excludes school holidays)
If you are over 16yrs or will be turning 16yrs during the program phase you will need a volunteer WWCC (working with children check)

* Please note the online model uses a website that is not supported by smartphones or hotspot internet.

* Please also consider the daylight-saving time difference, if applying from a different state.

An interview process will take place in which a Smith Family staff member will speak to applicants about the role, and the responsibilities a Buddy will have.

Please note: This S2S buddy role is for students under the age of 18 ONLY, all volunteers will be required to have the permission and ongoing support of their Parent/Guardian.

If you think this opportunity sounds like something you could be willing to give a go. Express your interest today by completing this online expression of interest. A member of the volunteering team or S2S team will be in contact with you soon.

Experience the rewards of helping someone else and use your reading skills to make a difference in the life of another student!
Your reading skills could change the life of another student.

Apply Now