The Smith Family

Join us for an Anti-Poverty Week Webinar: The New Frontier of Exclusion – Digital Poverty on 📅 18th October, 1:00 pm AEDT In a world where technology is key to participation, digital poverty has become a new frontier of exclusion. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from leading experts: 🎙 Wendy Field - The Smith Family 🎙 Caroline McDaid - WorkVentures 🎙 Jess Wilson - Good Things Australia who are making strides in enhancing access to technology, improving digital literacy, and fostering greater online engagement. Moderated by Doug Taylor, CEO of The Smith Family, the session will spotlight practical solutions and innovative strategies from Australian organisations dedicated to addressing digital poverty. Register now at https://bit.ly/3XIMbZI

Just like Hollywood and every other industry, the not-for-profit sector must embrace digital transformation to remain relevant and effective in our rapidly changing world. Adapt, adopt and innovate, or risk being left behind, says our CEO, Doug Taylor, in this opinion piece for Our Community. “Technology is advancing at breakneck speed and our not-for-profit leaders, boards, staff, and volunteers need to be on the frontline, seizing opportunities and innovating. Vision, ambition, and a real commitment to change will be crucial.” WorkVentures ReachOut Australia Good Things Australia Infoxchange https://bit.ly/4h2ulKe

A great new report out today from our friends at Good Things Australia highlights the significant benefits of closing the digital divide. The report conservatively estimates gains – achieved through increased employment, higher-skilled jobs, access to telehealth, increased volunteering, reduced social isolation, and more – at nearly half a billion dollars annually. These gains are possible if the right training and financial support are provided to people who are highly digitally excluded. The benefits would be even greater if we supported all digitally excluded Australians—that’s one in four of us. As well, that’s just the economic gains of closing the digital divide that can be quantified with current data. It doesn’t include education, which has the potential to yield very large economic benefits. The report says education should be a priority for future research. “For example, if 2% of Year 10 leavers in NSW were to complete Year 12, benefits achieved would increase by 40%.” Jess Wilson https://bit.ly/4dIOGky

Through The Smith Family's Cadetship to Career program, employers have the chance to offer 8-week paid internships to talented students. It’s more than just work experience—it’s an opportunity to mentor, guide, and develop the next generation of leaders. Your role can help bridge the gap between education and the workforce for these promising young people. Ready to make an impact? Sign up today and join us in building a brighter future for both students and your industry. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3Y4zOsb

Join our online Anti-Poverty Week Webinar: The new frontier of exclusion – digital poverty on 18th October at 1:00 pm (AEDT) Moderated by Doug Taylor, CEO of The Smith Family, the session will spotlight practical solutions and innovative strategies from Australian organisations dedicated to addressing digital poverty. Hear firsthand from experts (Wendy Field, Caroline McDaid, and Jess Wilson) who are making strides in enhancing access to technology, improving digital literacy, and fostering greater online engagement. Register now at https://bit.ly/486o8ZH

In the lead-up to Anti-Poverty Week, we’re exploring what poverty looks like in modern Australia and how digital poverty is leaving young people experiencing disadvantage further behind in education and employment opportunities. For our latest #podcast episode, our CEO Doug Taylor speaks with Caroline McDaid, CEO of WorkVentures about what can be done to bridge this digital divide and how organisations are working to ensure every young person has the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world. Doug and Caroline are also NSW co-chairs of this year’s #AntiPovertyWeek, which aims to help Australians understand poverty and take action collectively to end it. Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3N3rxP8 Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3zFyin4

“The best thing is seeing an Aboriginal student who has been sponsored getting to graduate from high school. Whatever that student does in life, they'll pass on the benefits and opportunities they received to their kids." Christine, Smith Family Education Engagement Coordinator. Christine, a proud Gunaikurnai woman, is a Smith Family Education Engagement Coordinator. She gets to work with over 90 Indigenous families and 200 Learning for Life students in Gippsland, Victoria. Christine supports students by tackling the challenges that poverty brings, helping them stay focused on their education. One day, she might be assisting students with their transition to high school or offering career advice. The next day, she could be helping a young person in her community who needs a laptop for homework. Christine finds her work extremely rewarding. She gets to see the big gains Aboriginal students make thanks to sponsorship and her support. Recently, Christine ran into a young Indigenous woman at a local hospital who was once sponsored by someone like you. Today, she’s about to qualify as a doctor! Nothing makes Christine happier than students getting to work hard, succeed and flourish. It's something every young person deserves. Read more about Christine’s story at https://bit.ly/3XA9y7S

🎧 If you're a fundraising professional or interested in the not-for-profit sector, be sure to check out this episode of The Media Precinct’s Pending Approval podcast, featuring our wonderful Head of Fundraising, Lisa Allan, FFIA and GAICD. 🎧 Lisa shares not only her deep passion for fundraising and the sector, but also her insights on navigating today’s challenging economic climate, the importance of brand-building for charities, and more. Great episode with hosts Glenda Wynyard and Jack Geraghty. https://bit.ly/3N3GpwI

“The best thing is seeing an Aboriginal student who has been sponsored getting to graduate from high school. Whatever that student does in life, they'll pass on the benefits and opportunities they received to their kids." Christine, Smith Family Education Engagement Coordinator. Christine, a proud Gunaikurnai woman, is a Smith Family Education Engagement Coordinator. She gets to work with over 90 Indigenous families and 200 Learning for Life students in Gippsland, Victoria. Christine supports students by tackling the challenges that poverty brings, helping them stay focused on their education. One day, she might be assisting students with their transition to high school or offering career advice. The next day, she could be helping a young person in her community who needs a laptop for homework. Christine finds her work extremely rewarding. She gets to see the big gains Aboriginal students make thanks to sponsorship and her support. Recently, Christine ran into a young Indigenous woman at a local hospital who was once sponsored by someone like you. Today, she’s about to qualify as a doctor! Nothing makes Christine happier than students getting to work hard, succeed and flourish. It's something every young person deserves. #learntodaychangetomorrow

Very pleased to hear today Tasmania has became the third state or territory to sign the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement after finalising funding with the Federal Government. This agreement will, over time, bring much-needed reforms aimed at creating a more equitable education system. Every young person deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. This agreement is a vital step in ensuring that all students, and particularly those experiencing disadvantage and poverty, have equal access to a quality education. https://bit.ly/3XW9lgw Jason Clare MP Jeremy Rockliff