Terence L. Smith, Founder & Director
Words to Live By
“It’s not how you fall,
but how you get back up."
Terence L. Smith
Founder & Director Jacob's Ladder for Youth
Terence L. Smith has dedicated the past 26 years to his passion for serving the community and youth. He is always ready and willing to offer his services to enhance and develop people, particularly young individuals, for a brighter tomorrow. This commitment led him to develop Jacob’s Ladder for Youth (JL4Y), a youth program focused on mental health issues.
​​Throughout his corporate tenure, Terence has led many volunteer efforts, often involving urban youth, as he easily relates to having once been an "at-risk" teenager himself, grappling with mental health issues. Fortunately, through continual positive male influences, he turned his life around which created a drive and passion to do the same for others. Terence's career has allowed him to serve and hold positions at agencies such as;
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​​St. Luke’s Crittenton Children’s Hospital
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University of Kansas Health System - Marillac location
​Roles and Responsibilities include:
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Presiding Officer/Coordinator for the Gang Unit and Awareness program for the Missouri Juvenile Justice System (2003-2012)
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Lead Chaperone for the Missouri Black Caucus Legislature Leadership Youth Conference (2003-2006)
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Facilitator - Juvenile Justice Center Leadership Cohort at North Chicago University.
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Graduate of DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative
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Facilitator - GTAD (Grief, Trauma, Aggression, and Depression) workshops
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Case Worker - Servicing Cass County Missouri
CURRENTLY
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Manager at Cornerstone Care - Ozanam Campus
Having earned numerous accolades, awards, and certificates, Terence Smith continues to work diligently with Jacobs Ladder for Youth (JL4Y), focusing on empowering young men facing daily personal challenges, both mental and physical. In cooperation with JL4Y, Terence and other community organizers are working with schools, churches and corporations to address the highly active sex trafficking rings throughout the state.
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Living by the idea, THERE'S ALWAYS ONE MORE THING TO LEARN, in addition to his educational credits, Terence is pursing his Master's and Doctoral degree in Christian Counseling with his wife Sheila of 26 years.
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Terence L. Smith is a firm believer in unification, restoration, and mental growth. He often says, “It’s not how you fall, but how you get back up.” This expression and desire to grow, resignates throughout his family of four, shared with wife Sheila, in Kansas City, MO.
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Sheila D. Smith
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
With well over 22 years of administration and customer service experience, Sheila Smith an asset to Jacobs Ladder for Youth (JL4Y). Having had the task to oversee operations for many organizations and programs, she has developed a great passion for youth development and empowerment.
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Teaching youth to serve in their communities as well as encouraging their growth through supportive programing, Sheila's personal mission of helping families restore, revive and renew their internal relationships falls directly under the mission of JL4Y.
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Sheila has earned Bachelor’s Degree in Bible Studies as well as Christian Counseling and Leadership. Terence and Sheila have been married over 22 years and have 4 children together.
Our Leadership
Jacob’s Ladder For Youth Board of Directors and Advisors demonstrate
that great values and passions that are necessary to help guide and grow the organization.
We are proud of our qualified community activist and business leaders.
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Andre Reliford
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Lisa Garcia Stewart
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Kevin Cullen
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Sue Chambers
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Senator Shalonn "Kiki" Curls
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Archie Wells
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George Gates
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Tyrone Flowers
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Ethel Davis
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Robert Lowe
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Kevin & Patricia Taylor
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Calvin Duncan
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Joey Smith
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Joey Edwards
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Morris Abdullah
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Terrence Haynes
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Pastor Eric & Valerie Cobbins
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Ray & Viola Manning
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KC3 Devos Team
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Debra Colbert
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Andrew & Dorothy Smith
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Board of Directors
Advisory Board
Spiritual Balance Advisors
The Worship Center KC
Our Clients
