Right across Australia, there are children who aren’t able to achieve their full potential at school due to financial hardship. The Smith Family is a national independent charity that works with children and young people to overcome educational inequality caused by poverty. Its core program is Learning for Life, which provides educational support for children in need.
In 2022, The Smith Family celebrated an incredible milestone: 100 years of working to help change the lives of children in need. For the past 10 years, Officeworks and The Smith Family have joined forces for the Officeworks Back to School Appeal, where Officeworks customers can make donations to support The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program.
The Officeworks 2023 Back to School Appeal
This year, more than ever, The Smith Family needs your support. Recent cost of living increases affecting the prices of food, fuel and housing are contributing to the challenges faced by many Australian families.
“It’s critical and sort of terrifying,” says Anton Leschen, General Manager Victoria of The Smith Family. “The cost-of-living pressure on vulnerable families is going through the roof.”
According to the UNSW and Australian Council of Social Service, one in six children and young people in Australia are living in poverty. With many families struggling to make ends meet, children are missing out on basic educational items, such as uniforms, books and digital devices. At a time when they’re still dealing with the impacts of COVID and catching up on missed learning, the ripple effect of added financial pressures at home could set them back even further. This is where The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program aims to step in.
“Living with disadvantage is really challenging,” says Anton. “The washing machine doesn't work, the car doesn't work, it's hard to get the rent together, it’s hard to have three square meals every day. Things fall away, and one of the first things to fall away can be getting up and going to school every day. Learning for Life really puts in that scaffolding to help parents keep getting their children to school every day.”
Since the Officeworks Back to School Appeal began 10 years ago, Officeworks stores and customers in local communities have raised enough money to support the education of almost 10,000 students on the Learning for Life scholarship program for an entire year.
SEE ALSO: How to Create Brighter Futures Through Education With The Smith Family
The Smith Family’s Learning for Life Program
Learning for Life is The Smith Family’s core program. It provides almost 60,000 young Australians in need with long-term educational support. Each child on the program receives:
- Financial support for school essentials, like uniforms and books.
- Personal support for the child and their family, to help children stay motivated at school, complete their education and go on to further training or work.
- Practical support through extra learning and mentoring programs tailored to their needs.
“It's a long-term wraparound strategy that can support the same children, families and schools year on year,” says Anton.
“Thanks to Officeworks’ support, we’re able to sponsor more and more students. We target those students in our partner schools. We buddy up with their parents and guardians and offer coaching to those guardians and parents so they're focused on their children’s education.
“Each family is assigned a dedicated Family Partnerships Coordinator, who helps the students navigate their way through school and into employment.
“Education is a life changer. We see our alumni go on to psychology, photography, accounting, mechanics, all manner of things. We're not so fussed on their qualifications, but that their ability and their dreams are realised just like any other Australian child’s.”
How The Smith Family’s Learning for Life Program Helps
Fourteen-year-old Mikayla and her mum Myha are a tight-knit family from Melbourne. But when debilitating, long-term health issues meant Myha wasn't able to work, she and Mikayla faced the stress and uncertainty that can go hand in hand with significant financial challenges.
“It’s really just me and Mikayla, it’s just the two of us,” says Myha. “I know it’s mum and daughter, but it’s more or less best friends.
“I’ve had health issues since Mikayla was 6-years-old. I’ve had several major surgeries involving my heart and lung. It’s affected me by not being able to work, which is sometimes sad for me and Mikayla.
“Before The Smith Family, it was difficult to afford the basic things for Mikayla with school, paying for rent, budgeting for groceries. When money’s tight, I think you get stressed, little things become big. And you’re just not happy. It’s very difficult; not having money or being able to afford just the simplest things.
“I never really thought I was disadvantaged, because I always tried my best to give Mikayla everything, even if I had to go without. But I sometimes felt embarrassed, especially if I couldn’t afford things for Mikayla.”
And although Myha worked hard to give her daughter what she needed, Mikayla felt the strain of their situation too.
“Before The Smith Family I felt quite left out,” Mikayla says. “My mum and I struggled a lot to afford just basic uniforms and textbooks.
“I feel like Mum felt pressure to try to afford the newest things for me, so I didn’t feel left out. I feel like she tried and had to work really hard to get the money just to buy the necessities.”
But when Mikayla was 11, she started at a new school, where she was referred to The Smith Family.
“We got involved with The Smith Family when Mikayla was in Grade 5,” Myha says. “The Smith Family has helped me buy a laptop for Mikayla, textbooks and uniform – everything that I wouldn’t have been able to afford on my own. She’s able to have new shoes, uniform, books like any normal other kid. It’s peace of mind. I don’t have to stress about things, especially for her.
“Mikayla’s a good kid, so she doesn’t ask for very much. But I think as being a mum yourself, you want to give your child everything. I'm just so happy I get the help to allow Mikayla to have an education, and be normal. Education to me is the key to success, happiness, less stress – everything.
“It brings a tear to my eye. I could sit and cry, every time I think about it, that I get help, that me and Mikayla get help. Knowing that she doesn’t miss out, and she gets to fit in with everyone else.”
Support from The Smith Family has helped Mikayla fit in and feel comfortable at school. And her confidence is continuing to grow day by day.
“When I first found out I was going to receive support from The Smith Family, I was really happy and proud of myself because I had just started at a new school,” Mikayla says with a smile.
“My favourite subject at school is art because I really enjoy painting and drawing, and I like how it’s a form of self-expression. I enjoy mathematics as well; I like how it can be challenging. Because unlike English, where you use your imagination, maths is a straight set of rules and once you get the hang of it, it can be fun.
“Thanks to the support I’ve received from The Smith Family, I’ve been able to afford a laptop, all of my school uniform and my school books for the past four years. The pressure has been lifted off my mum and it’s easier for her to provide now. I think the support has made her more happy, and grateful she can provide more things.
“It makes me feel really lucky that I’m able to have the same things as my friends at school, and I don’t feel excluded. It makes me feel like someone cares about me, even if they don’t know me personally.
“During this year I’ve gotten more confident in myself and less anxious about what other people think about me. I think what's really helped boost my confidence this year is all of the support I’ve received, and how it shows people care.”
Although she’s only in Year 8, Mikayla is already looking towards the future, and continuing her education is a big part of that.
“I think if you have an education, you can get the basic knowledge that you need to grow up,” she says. “It helps you become more independent. So when you want to find a job, you’re more aware of what you’re really good at, like what subjects or things you could specialise in, because you’ve had a try of everything. You know your weaknesses and strengths.
“When I finish school, I want to become a psychologist so I’m able to help people. Personally, I’d say I’m really empathetic and I’m really good at understanding how people feel.
“To anyone that’s thinking of supporting The Smith Family I’d say go for it, because you are giving a bunch of other children heaps of opportunities – and they could really need the support. I’d like to say thank you for helping me gain a massive opportunity for my future.”
Myha, too, is excited about Mikayla’s future now, and the glowing pride she feels for her daughter shines through.
“I can’t explain how much The Smith Family has done for me and Mikayla. It’s good to know that someone out there cares about me and my daughter. The truth is I am really proud of Mikayla. She’s one good kid. I just hope she has a happy life and future, because mine wasn’t so bright.
“To anyone considering supporting The Smith Family, I encourage you to do so. It has made a big difference in my and Mikayla’s life.”
SEE ALSO: ALNF and Officeworks Celebrate 10 Years of Changing Children’s Lives
How You Can Help The Smith Family
Make a donation to the Officeworks Back to School Appeal today to support children in need in your community. Donations can be made at any Officeworks store or via the Officeworks website, and no amount is too small. Here’s how your donations can help make a difference:
- $2 can provide an Australian child in need with a notebook for their favourite subject at school
- $5 can provide a pack of coloured pencils to nurture their creativity
- $10 can provide headphones to a child in need so they can engage in online learning
- $20 can provide a new book to develop their literacy skills
