Ocean Grove Evening VIEW Club (OGEVC) is urging the community to give generously this Anti-Poverty Week and sponsor a child through national children’s education charity The Smith Family.
The focus of this Anti-Poverty Week, from October 15 to 21, is to end child poverty in Australia.
OGEVC helps 19 children through The Smith Family’s Learning for Life education support program, which provides families with long term educational, financial, and personal assistance so that children have all the essentials needed to fully participate in their learning.
This year has been particularly difficult for all Australians due to the cost-of-living crisis, but has been even harder for those already doing it tough.
Club president Leigh Preece said with one in six children in Australia living in poverty, it’s never been a more important time to support a child with their education.
“Families are having to make impossible choices during this cost-of-living crisis, this could be prioritising rent over sending their child on a school excursion, or paying for school books,” she said.
“No child should have to miss out on the essentials of their education, and this is why VIEW is so passionate about supporting the work of The Smith Family. Its evidence-based approach helps children experiencing disadvantage to overcome the educational inequality they face.
“They support children for the duration of their education, and this helps them build the confidence and skills needed to create better futures for themselves.”
While fundraising plays a vital role in helping children in need, Ms Preece is also encouraging women of all ages to donate their time and skills by joining a VIEW club.
Last year, VIEW members collectively volunteered over 70,000 hours of their time to help young people through homework, reading and mentoring programs run by the charity – but there’s still a need for more helping hands.
“Our VIEW members have a unique opportunity to provide hands-on support to children experiencing disadvantage, while also forming meaningful and lasting community relationships,” Ms Preece said.
