I am the proud Executive Director of nonprofit, Share My Smile! Share My Smile has gone from serving 20 foster families to more than 200. The road to our current growth and success has been made possible by many wonderful volunteers and partners over the years who have been willing to work together; to learn what it means to run a nonprofit and do so with integrity. As we strive toward excellence in operations, we do it with our incredible families and children foremost in mind. Our number one priority is how best to serve THEM. But we will always have more growing to do! In 2023, SMS leadership is focused on sustainable growth across program services, and on securing and maintaining diverse funding sources for long term operational success. It is incumbent upon SMS to reach out in all directions for support in order to continue on our current growth pattern. The end result is widespread community impact. How? With a narrow lens. Our services help foster and adoptive families and children by providing support, connection, and joy during transitional periods of their lives. With a wide lens, our services are supporting young members of our community who will soon grow into adult members of our community. Helping them feel supported could mean the difference between their success, or not. This absolutely affects our whole community. And as Executive Director of Share My Smile, it is my passion to be a part of the village that gets to help support their success!
Did you know that every year, half a million foster children in our country are abruptly taken out of their home and thrust into a broken system, scared and alone? Both Iowa and Nebraska have over 6,000 children in the foster care system in each state.
Share My Smile is here to bring hope and happiness to their lives, one smile at a time.
Share My Smile believes in the power of a village. Just as we were once children who grew into adults, these foster children will too. But we all needed some help and guidance along the way. And they need our support even more to overcome the obstacles they face.
Through our four annual programs, Share My Smile provides essential services to over 450 children and their families. From birthday celebrations to backpacks filled with necessities, holiday joy, and family-strengthening events, we aim to make a positive impact on their lives.
Project Birthday Joy: We send a birthday box to foster children on their special day, filled with everything they need to have a happy and memorable celebration.
Care For You Action: We provide backpacks filled with necessities to children who are entering a new foster home. These backpacks include toiletries, school supplies, and a stuffed animal.
Operation Holiday Smiles: We host a variety of holiday events for foster children, including a pumpkin patch outing, a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with a visit from Santa Claus, and a Giving Tree where donors can sponsor a child and provide them with a Christmas gift.
Family Strengthening Events: We offer numerous family events throughout the year, such as picnics in parks, beach parties, zoo outings, and tickets to sporting events and concerts.
Your support makes ALL the difference and we can't do it without you. Join us in creating lasting change for these deserving children and become part of our village. Together we can give hope, joy and optimism to children who need us most.
Your generosity will shape a brighter future for these children. Together, let's be the village they need.
We'll keep you updated quarterly on our progress as an organization.