We support parents and early years educators in developing the maths skills of the children in their care so that they can establish the necessary foundation skills.
Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students face additional challenges in their journey through and beyond school.
Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs
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.
“My mum was diagnosed with a brain tumour when I was 11, so it was really tough on my family and me. Being the eldest child, I had to step up and take on a lot of responsibilities at home, so school was no longer a priority,” said Learning for Life student, Quynhi, now aged 21.
“For many years after that I was playing catch up because of the amount of time I had taken off school. I missed out on a lot of learning opportunities that my peers had, such as excursions and camps, because of the limited family income we had.
That’s why I’m so grateful to The Smith Family. Ever since they were involved in my life through the Learning for Life program, they have encouraged me to achieve my best.
“That’s why I’m so grateful to The Smith Family. Ever since they were involved in my life through the Learning for Life program, they have encouraged me to achieve my best. They have played an important role in my achievements by providing me with the resources and opportunities that I needed to become the first female in my family to attend university.
“That’s how I see it. But my mum feels that they allowed her to focus on her recovery while still being able to support her children to get the education that they deserved.”
The generosity of our supporters, sponsors and volunteers has meant the world to Quynhi. So she now looks for every opportunity to help other students in need.
“The Smith Family really inspired me to give back to my community. I’m studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy and have volunteered at a special needs school where I get to meet amazing children,” said Quynhi.
“I also work at Officeworks. I have really enjoyed being part of their Back to School Appeal (which also supports The Smith Family) this year. It’s so important that we all contribute in some small way to provide disadvantaged students like myself with the opportunity to explore and further their education.”
The Smith Family really inspired me to give back to my community.
Despite being just 27 years old, Bobby is already the head of his household. In early 2020, his father died of cancer, and just 10 months later Bobby lost his mother too. Before she died she made him the legal guardian of his three younger siblings under the age of 18.
Bobby and his seven siblings have been a part of The Smith Family for over a decade. When they lost their parents this connection was even more important as it helped to ease the pressure on Bobby. He knew it meant his siblings’ education expenses would be taken care of.
Six of his family members have gone through The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program, and three of them are currently studying at the University of Newcastle. Bobby is now studying law, with the aspiration to work in the equal opportunity space. As a proud Aboriginal man, Bobby is working to have more representation in the legal profession, and his younger sister Darci is hoping to join him. The pair dream of opening their own firm one day.
Neither of Bobby’s parents had the opportunity to pursue further education, which is why they always emphasised its importance to their children. Bobby knows they would both be very proud of him and his siblings for everything they have already achieved.
