Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs Every day, poverty takes away Ella’s chance to learn.
A year ago, Ella was close to the top of her class in reading and maths. This bright young girl would have told you she wanted to be an athlete, a firefighter, or most of all a geologist when she grows up.
But since Ella’s dad was made redundant from his manufacturing job, their family – already struggling with the soaring cost of living – has been pushed even deeper into poverty.
Poverty can cost children like Ella so much by blocking access to the crucial learning opportunities that every child deserves, eroding their confidence and motivation until they start to quietly give up on their ambitions.
And if they fall too far behind in their learning, it can place their entire future in doubt.
But since Ella’s dad was made redundant from his manufacturing job, their family – already struggling with the soaring cost of living – has been pushed even deeper into poverty.
Poverty can cost children like Ella so much by blocking access to the crucial learning opportunities that every child deserves, eroding their confidence and motivation until they start to quietly give up on their ambitions.
And if they fall too far behind in their learning, it can place their entire future in doubt.
I really wanted to be a geologist. But now, all I want, is to get any job I can when I’m bigger to help Mum and Dad.
Australian children living with poverty are facing a cost of learning crisis.
1.2 million Australian children are living with poverty1 right now – and for many, like Ella, it comes with a hidden cost.
Falling behind at school because of the hidden barriers poverty puts in their way can impact a child’s confidence, motivation and engagement. In turn this make it harder for them to maintain good attendance or even finish school.
As the silent, daily price of poverty accumulates, it can ultimately limit a child’s opportunities to complete Year 12 and succeed in future employment – costing them their chance to fulfil their potential and break the cycle of poverty.
Falling behind at school because of the hidden barriers poverty puts in their way can impact a child’s confidence, motivation and engagement. In turn this make it harder for them to maintain good attendance or even finish school.
As the silent, daily price of poverty accumulates, it can ultimately limit a child’s opportunities to complete Year 12 and succeed in future employment – costing them their chance to fulfil their potential and break the cycle of poverty.
Please give a tax-deductible gift before 30 June to provide children like Ella with access to proven out-of-school learning support from the start of Term 3.
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Ella’s family faces relentless pressures beyond their control.
Ella’s dad found a casual overnight job at a service station, and he’s working all the shifts he can. Ella’s mum – a mental health worker – has also picked up as many shifts as she can, but they can still barely afford rent and food.
Ella sees how hard her parents work, which motivates her to do her best at school. But her mum no longer has time to help Ella with homework and there’s no time to read with her dad before he leaves for work.
This is just one aspect of the hidden daily toll poverty takes on Ella’s learning, and the reason why she’s fallen so far behind at school.
Ella sees how hard her parents work, which motivates her to do her best at school. But her mum no longer has time to help Ella with homework and there’s no time to read with her dad before he leaves for work.
This is just one aspect of the hidden daily toll poverty takes on Ella’s learning, and the reason why she’s fallen so far behind at school.
Ella works so hard, but now she’s falling behind. I’m so worried that our financial circumstances could prevent her from doing well at school and being able to follow her dreams.
Proven learning support can help a child fulfil their potential.
There is a clear and proven way to prevent students from paying the hidden price of living with poverty.
With early intervention and consistent support tailored to their evolving needs, children can – and do – overcome the obstacles poverty puts in their way.
You can give children like Ella access to our innovative out-of-school learning programs, proven to help children catch up and keep up with the rest of their class.
Education is one of the most powerful agents of change: with an equal chance to make the most of their education, children are empowered to fulfil their potential and create a better future for themselves.
With early intervention and consistent support tailored to their evolving needs, children can – and do – overcome the obstacles poverty puts in their way.
You can give children like Ella access to our innovative out-of-school learning programs, proven to help children catch up and keep up with the rest of their class.
Education is one of the most powerful agents of change: with an equal chance to make the most of their education, children are empowered to fulfil their potential and create a better future for themselves.
You can stop poverty from taking a hidden toll on the learning of children like Ella. Please donate today.
Donate now How your donation will help a student
student2student
A program where Ella can be paired with a reading buddy close to her age. This innovative peer-to-peer reading support will help Ella grow her skills and confidence in reading to support future learning.
96% of participants improve their reading and 75% increase their reading level by up to two years.3
96% of participants improve their reading and 75% increase their reading level by up to two years.3
Learning Clubs
A program where Ella can work alongside a skilled volunteer tutor to practice her maths, catch up, and keep up with her schoolwork in a safe, supportive learning environment within her local community.
81% of participants in this program say it helps them do better at school.4
81% of participants in this program say it helps them do better at school.4
Future Seekers
A program where Ella can explore the world of work through an imaginative and interactive approach to career–related learning – and explore how her strengths and interests can be used in her future working life.
71% of participating students reported a greater initial understanding of the diversity of jobs.5
71% of participating students reported a greater initial understanding of the diversity of jobs.5
Our out-of-school learning programs are proven to help children remain engaged with their learning and complete their education to Year 12. This in turn provides them with greater options for further study and employment.6
With your support, Ella’s better tomorrow could start today. Your donation will help her access the life-changing extra learning support she needs to catch up, keep up, and achieve everything she’s capable of.
With your support, Ella’s better tomorrow could start today. Your donation will help her access the life-changing extra learning support she needs to catch up, keep up, and achieve everything she’s capable of.
FAQs
12020 The Smith Family Pulse Survey 2022.
2 2023 Australian Government Summary Report of the Review to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System Commonwealth Department of Education
3 & 4 2023-2024 The Smith Family Program Outcomes Summary
5 2022 The Smith Family Future Seekers Program Outcomes Summary
6 2022The Smith Family Pathways, Engagement and Transitions: Initial post-school transitions among young people experiencing disadvantage.
* Names, family details and associated images have been changed to protect the family’s identity.