Digital inequality is locking children out of learning.

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.
View all programs
Get Involved
- Ways to fundraise
  Learn about fundraising and give back to the community with The Smith Family.
- Volunteer with us
  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.
- Careers
  We aim to provide a working environment where staff and volunteers have the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.
- Events
  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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Child Sponsorship
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Communities for Children

Children from disadvantaged backgrounds often experience poorer health, educational and social outcomes than others.¹

These issues can impact children from a young age and – through no fault of their own – affect the rest of their lives.²

The Smith Family collaborates to strengthen local communities and deliver tailored support to improve the lives of children experiencing disadvantage.

We are committed to improving outcomes for disadvantaged children and families by facilitating community programs that ensure they receive the help they need to thrive.

What is Communities for Children?

Aboriginal girl with face paint in Rockhampton

The Smith Family is a facilitating partner for Communities for Children, an innovative project that delivers a range of services to improve outcomes for children from birth to 12 years old in disadvantaged communities.

We facilitate programs for children's physical, emotional and cognitive development, including providing support when children are starting primary school and high school.

Programs are also offered to parents, to help them develop positive relationships with their children that nurture the development of their learning, social and emotional capacities.

Communities for Children is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.

Consultation and collaboration the key to success

As a facilitating partner we consult and collaborate with local stakeholders, to improve systemic links and enable programs that help children and their families increase their social connections, and improve their education and employment outcomes.

For more information about the Department of Social Services’ Families and Children Activity, Families and Communities Program and the Communities for Children Facilitating Partners initiative, visit www.dss.gov.au.

Our success so far

9

Communities for Children sites across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia

67,165

disadvantaged children and young people received support through Smith Family programs last year.