Help provide vital educational support to 11,705 Australian children this Christmas.

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
  Providing holistic, long-term support for disadvantaged young Australians throughout their education.
- 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.
- Partnerships
  Learn how your organisation can partner with The Smith Family and help build a better future for Australian children in need.
- 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 16,000 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.
Login
Child Sponsorship
Donate now

Donate now

Meet some Saints helping at Learning Club

Students on programs

17 March 2022

If you peeked inside a community hall in Wollongong, you might see a group of athletes patiently helping students with their tough homework questions.

Their day job is to play professional rugby league for the St George Illawarra NRL Club. And for almost a decade, they’ve dedicated hours after school to helping students living in disadvantage catch up and keep up in class. The players are heroes to many of these students in this Illawarra community. As role models they can have a lifelong influence on the students’ confidence and aspirations.

Adam Bezzina, Dragons Community Manager, says players do it for many reasons. It could be their own childhood experience of poverty. It might be a simple desire to give back. Or even an interest in working with young people after their NRL careers finish.

The club is also committed to working with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in this community.

“We understand and believe that reconciliation is everyone’s business, and we will lead through our actions,” Adam says.

Ultimately, St George players and staff who volunteer at Learning Club are there because it feels good to do good.

“It’s an opportunity to assist in the local community and provide a positive experience for children who at times might be having a tough day,” Adam says.

“On the flip side helping at Learning Club provides escape from the day-to-day NRL pressures. Helping a student read, encouraging them to eat a healthy snack or passing a ball can help players keep a healthy perspective on their good fortunes as footballers.”

Thank you to our sponsors for making Learning Clubs possible. It’s only because of our sponsors, donors and volunteers, that our students can get the homework help they need in a safe, secure space. They also get the chance to participate in inspiring initiatives like this decade-long partnership with the St George Illawarra Dragons.

Read more student and family stories in our Autumn 2022 edition of Real People, Real Stories.

Download

Popular Searches

Meet some Saints helping at Learning Club

READ MORE STORIES

The Smith Family helped Tyrell Sloan break the cycle

Learning Clubs

Why iTrack made such a difference to Ahmad