8,321 children need extra learning support this Christmas.

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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- Ways to fundraise
  Learn about fundraising and give back to the community with The Smith Family.
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  Share your skills to help Australian children in need transform their lives through education.
- Corporate partnerships
  Corporate partnerships give young Australians in need the chance to change their futures through educational support. Discover how you can join forces with The Smith Family to create a mutually-beneficial, impactful partnership.
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  We aim to provide a working environment where staff and volunteers have the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.
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  Participate in events and activities that support young Australians experiencing disadvantage.
- VIEW Clubs of Australia
  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.
- A gift in your will
  Ensure that future generations of Australian children have the support they need to make the most of their education.
- Monthly donation
  Become a monthly donor and provide continual support throughout all stages of a child’s education.
- Philanthropic giving
  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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How support like yours helped Chelsea shine at reading

a mother looking onto her daughter who is wearing her school uniform and carrying a backpack

“I love school now, Mummy.”

Lenice’s heart soared when she heard these words from her determined daughter, Chelsea. It’s something every parent wants to hear – especially if their child has found school hard.

Children living with poverty often go without learning essentials in their preschool years, and can start school already behind in core areas like reading and maths. Chelsea had always found reading a struggle – and even with extra support from her wonderful teacher, she couldn’t catch up.

But everything changed when Chelsea was matched with a reading buddy through our innovative student2student reading program.

The power of self-confidence

“Chelsea formed a beautiful friendship with her reading buddy Emily,” explains Lenice. “She loves reading now, and she’s the most improved child in her class.”

student2student is just one of the proven learning support programs children like Chelsea can access, thanks to your support. It’s highly effective, with 96% of participants improving their reading – and the impact goes far beyond increased reading levels.

Having a buddy who believes in them can really boost a child’s confidence and morale, which has a powerful impact on the rest of their learning:

“Chelsea has shined this year,” says Lenice. “Her NAPLAN results were absolutely amazing.”

Breaking down barriers

Support like yours has been just as transformational for Chelsea’s big brother, Ty. He was struggling to keep up and missing out on crucial learning opportunities because Lenice couldn’t afford a laptop.

“Ty was having a really tough time in senior school until The Smith Family gave him a laptop. He uses it for all his homework – I don’t know what he’d do without it.”

Financial disadvantage can hold students back in so many ways – but your support breaks down learning barriers so children like Ty and Chelsea can follow their career aspirations and work towards a better future. Thank you!

I just want my kids to be happy and succeed in whatever they want to do in life. I know they can with the support they get from The Smith Family.

Lenice