Disadvantaged families in Australia

While Australia is best known as the lucky country, there are actually more than 680,000 kids struggling with economic hardship. In the current economic climate, Australia will see even greater hardship for disadvantaged families already struggling, and many more will fall between the cracks.

The Smith Family now receives more than 150 calls each week from families desperate for assistance, many from areas we've never dealt with before. The challenges are great for disadvantaged families and there is still much work, donations and support needed, especially during these tough financial times.

What challenges do disadvantaged families in Australia face?

· Financial difficulties. The biggest issue that disadvantaged families face is the financial challenge. Disadvantaged families come from a variety of backgrounds, but for one reason or another, they lack the resources to provide important educational and learning opportunities for their children. Basic education items like school books, uniforms and stationery are a stretch for disadvantaged families, while excursions or camps are simply unaffordable.

· Lack of support. Some disadvantaged families are made up of single mums and dads, one or more jobless parents or carers, who are in real need of social, personal or financial support. Without crucial help, kids from disadvantaged families can fall behind in school and miss out on opportunities that most children take for granted.

· Disadvantage cycle. Research shows that disadvantage is a cycle. Growing up in disadvantaged families without access to educational, health or life opportunities, disrupts positive childhood experiences and limits later academic achievement. By supporting parents of disadvantaged families early on, and throughout their schooling, we can help end the cycle of disadvantage and ensure that these children are given the same opportunities as their more advantaged peers to realise their potential.
How is The Smith Family helping disadvantaged families?

· Learning For Life program. More than 27,000 children from disadvantaged families are currently participating in the Learning for Life suite of education and learning programs. Through generous sponsors, The Smith Family is able to connect kids with opportunities including literacy support, mentoring and life skills initiatives, while financially assisting disadvantaged families with essential school expenses such as uniforms, books and excursions.

· Parenting programs. Parents in disadvantaged families also have access to The Smith Family's ever-expanding set of resources - parenting and child development education, skills development opportunities, including digital literacy or Adult Education.

· Financial Literacy. A study by the CBA Foundation found that improving the financial literacy of disadvantaged families can boost the economy and help create thousands of new jobs. By joining forces with major banks like ANZ, The Smith Family is able to run financial literacy programs for disadvantaged families.

· Digital Literacy. In 2005/06, the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that only 44% of disadvantaged families in Australia had a home computer, compared with 87% of high-income families. Through Technology Packs Project, which include PCs, software, low-cost internet and face-to-face tutorials, The Smith Family was able to help 450 disadvantaged families in 2008.

How can you help these families?

There 3 simple ways you can help disadvantaged families:

1. Sponsor a child. It only costs $1 a day to help give children from disadvantaged families access to personal, education and learning support as well as help with school-related expenses and opportunities for their future.

2. Donate. Make a single donation or a monthly pledge to The Smith Family to ensure that struggling disadvantaged families are assisted this winter and beyond.

3. Volunteer. Whether it's tutoring or mentoring kids, helping with administration, or sorting out toys and clothes, you can help disadvantaged families by volunteering. There are more than 6,500 volunteers who generously donate 250,000 hours of their time to help disadvantaged families in need.

This article was brought to you by The Smith Family - Disadvantaged families in Australia

The Smith Family is an independent non-profit organisation committed to helping disadvantaged Australian children by unlocking opportunities through education and learning. For more information, visit www.thesmithfamily.com.au