The Smith Family helps disadvantaged children to get the most out of their education, so they can create better futures for themselves. In Australia today, over 605,000 children and young people live in jobless families*, many from disadvantaged communities with poor access to basic educational resources and limited networks or role models to turn to for inspiration and support.

The Smith Family meets this need, making a difference in 97 communities around Australia providing support through its “Learning for Life” program. To support this initiative, BNP Paribas in Australia staff went ‘Back 2 School’ for a day on 28 June 2012, raising funds through dressing up with a school accessory, buying lunch from the ‘school canteen’ and taking part in the sports carnival. All monies raised were donated to The Smith Family’s Learning for Life programme in one of Sydney’s disadvantaged communities.

This fundraising activity forms part of an ongoing partnership between The Smith Family and BNP Paribas Australia, to help break the cycle of disadvantage through education.

*Source: ABS (2011) Labour Force Australia: Labour Force status and other characteristics of families