3,595 children urgently need support before they head back to school.

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- Literacy programs
  Providing resources and support to help children living with disadvantage achieve the required reading standard.
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  Providing children and young people living with disadvantage with the critical skills, access, and equipment they need.
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  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.
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  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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  Through your philanthropy, you can ensure that young Australians impacted by poverty get the education that all children deserve.
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  Your donation will help young Australians in need by providing access to our Learning for Life education support programs.
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  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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New worlds discovered – thanks to you!

14 January 2026

a school teen holding a book and a bookmark

Something magical has been happening this year, at our community-based Learning Clubs right across Australia.

It all started at the beginning of the school year. We wrote to our wonderful supporters asking you to fill out special bookmarks, telling students all about your favourite childhood stories.

Each of those bookmarks has now been given to a Learning Club student – inspiring a whole new generation of children to fall in love with the funny, wild, moving and exciting stories that once made your imagination soar.

We saw children’s faces light up with joy as your recommendations led them to discover whole new worlds – or reminded them of their own beloved favourites.

I got this bookmark from someone who also likes Dr Seuss. It’s my favourite because he just makes me laugh and is so funny. It’s nice that someone likes him, just like me!

Kimini, Year 7 student

The students’ reactions to the precious bookmarks made one thing clearer than ever: it means the world to a child that someone believes in them and cares enough to want to share their favourite book.

Your wonderful support not only helps students overcome the barriers poverty puts in the way of their learning – it can spark a love of learning and help a child transform their future. Thank you!

Find out what our students have to say!

a school girl holding her book and bookmark

It means the world to a child that someone believes in them and cares enough to want to share their favourite book.