Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs Leaving a Legacy: Tabitha’s Gift to The Smith Family
22 May 2025
Tabitha knows just how powerful a helping hand can be – because she’s lived it. That’s why one of the most meaningful decisions she’s made as an adult is leaving a gift in her Will to The Smith Family, to help other young people overcome disadvantage.
As a young student living with disadvantage, Tabitha often had to miss out on school camps or extracurricular activities, which left her feeling isolated and low in confidence. This lack of opportunity made her feel disconnected from her peers and uncertain about her future.But everything changed once Tabitha joined the Learning for Life program and was connected with a sponsor. Sponsorship offered much-needed support, not just financially, but socially and emotionally as well. One of the first programs Tabitha joined was weekly group painting sessions which gave her a sense of community and belonging.
She also attended a camp and took part in an Indigenous program that fostered emotional well-being. ‘The Smith Family gave me a feeling of belonging and a safe space that I didn’t have before,’ Tabitha reflects. This gave her the confidence to pursue her studies and build the future she always dreamed of.
With this new sense of security, Tabitha completed Year 12, despite the obstacles she faced earlier in life. After graduation, she went on to earn a diploma in Community Services Case Management, which opened up even more opportunities. Her connections with The Smith Family continued, helping her transition from education into employment.
Today, Tabitha is a successful businessperson and a mother who understands the value of education.
My story has changed from being a child who was part of a single-parent, low-income household with slim opportunities to a young woman with a daughter running my own successful business.
Tabitha is determined to ensure that the next generation has the same opportunities she received. Through her simple but powerful act of leaving a gift in her Will to The Smith Family, Tabitha is helping others break the cycle of poverty, just as she did. This legacy will provide students with the support they need to succeed, as it helped her.
By leaving a gift in her Will, Tabitha is making a lasting difference – one that will impact generations to come. Her generosity will change the lives of children living in disadvantage, giving them the opportunities to create better futures and break through the obstacles of poverty. Tabitha’s story shows how, with the right support, young people can overcome incredible challenges and achieve their dreams. Her gift will ensure that others can do the same, helping young people to build a brighter future and a life full of possibilities.
