As National Volunteer Week begins, The Smith Family is celebrating a Wyndham local who donates his time and knowledge to those who need it most.
Luke Tarola, 22, from Werribee is a university student and a mathematics tutor at his local Learning Club.
Mr Tarola said he was drawn to volunteering as it was a tangible way to help out young people in his own backyard.
“I’ve lived in Werribee my whole life and I wanted to help students who haven’t had access to the same opportunities as those from wealthier areas,” he said.
“I’ve always valued education so being able to impart that onto other students is rewarding and seeing them respond positively to learning is really exciting.”
The Smith Family chief executive Doug Taylor said the idea that it takes a village to raise a child is reflected in their volunteers’ work.
“Bringing together different people within a community, outside of a student’s immediate family, to offer support and guidance with their education, makes a world of difference to their confidence and learning outcomes,” he said.
The Smith Family is a charity that helps to improve the lives of students experiencing disadvantage through education.
The Learning Clubs provide an out-of-school learning environment where primary or secondary students can participate in activities that develop their academic skills, such as homework, numeracy and literacy.
National Volunteer Week is held annually and honours the contributions of volunteers all over the country for their dedication to others, and will run from May 19-25 this year.
To find volunteer opportunities in your area: www.thesmithfamily.com.au/volunteer
