By Alesha Capone
The Smith Family is asking residents of Melbourne’s west to provide support for vulnerable children returning to the classroom in 2021.
The charity’s Back to School Appeal aims to help thousands of young Australians with education-related costs, following the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Smith Family western metro region family partnership coordinator, Jake Hall, said the impact of COVID was “still far from over”.
“While 2020 and 2021 were highly disruptive for the education of all young people due to COVID, the impact on children who don’t have the resources at home for remote learning has been enormous,” Mr Hall said.
“Speaking with families, there is a sense of anxiousness surrounding the return to school, this appears to be one of the flow on effects of COVID, with parents citing a multitude of challenges associated with remote learning and children adjusting to being in and out of lockdowns.
“Devices, uniforms and booklists are consistently mentioned as the most expensive items and requirements families face as their child returns to school.
“There are still thousands of children across Australia who do not have these essentials and we’re worried it will be those who can least afford it, who will continue to struggle the most at school in 2022.”
Mr Hall said that for the families supported by The Smith Family, “the upcoming school year could be the toughest yet”.
“That’s why for our Back to School Appeal, we need to find almost 1400 new sponsors in Victoria, to help support children in communities like Wyndham,” he said.
People who sign up to sponsor a child through the Learning for Life program will help to provide financial assistance for education essentials such as uniforms, school supplies and school excursions; access to extra out-of-school learning and mentoring programs; and tailored personal support from a Smith Family team member, matched to the child and family.
Sponsorship starts at $52 per month for a child in primary school, or $1.70 per day.
Details: www.thesmithfamily.com.au/sponsor or donate to the Back to School Appeal at Officeworks.
