Executive Director

Charmaine Smith

Charmaine Smith, Founder and Executive Director, accepted a gubernatorial appointment to be a general member on the Missouri Children's Trust Fund Board. Charmaine is a certified Missouri Substance Abuse Prevention Associate and is a certified facilitator in Strengthening Families, Project ALERT and Life Skills. Charmaine graduated from Wichita State University with a Bachelor's Degree in General Studies in 1985. In 1987, she moved to St. Louis to direct a local social services program. With great motivation and vision, Charmaine launched Discovering Options, a Saint Louis based 501.(c)(3) in 2003. Charmaine also mentors two children from the after school program.

Her Values

• Acknowledge the child's strengths and build upon them
• Respect children and address inappropriate behavior in a positive, non-shaming way.
• Recognize each child's learning style by delivering a kinesthetic, visual, and auditory curriculum.
• Provide school-based individual support sessions which employ a variety of therapeutic approaches
• Serve St. Louis schools where at-risk children are enrolled
• Model and promote healthy lifestyle in a culturally relevant manner