Our Future impact
Bester + Smithson has a vision for the people and communities we serve: purpose + growth.
As Bester + Smithson Community Development Corporation continues to grow, our mission is expanding to support individuals and families who are working to build stable, healthy futures. Our programs are designed to serve three key groups:
Young mothers and their children experiencing housing instability
Teen mothers who need guidance, mentorship, and resources to continue their education and build independence
Youth and families in underserved communities who need mentorship, life skills training, and access to opportunity
Through strong community partnerships, Bester + Smithson CDC connects participants to stable housing, childcare support, education pathways, employment opportunities, and mentorship designed to help families move from survival to long-term stability.
A cornerstone of our work is our Empowerment and Life Skills Training, a program created to equip participants with the practical tools needed to transform their futures. This initiative provides guidance in financial literacy, career readiness, parenting support, leadership development, and independent living skills.
By combining housing stability, mentorship, education, and opportunity, our goal is not only to meet immediate needs but to help families build sustainable lives and create generational change.
Many of these services will ultimately be delivered through our flagship initiative, House of Solace, a community designed to provide safe housing, childcare, mentorship, and life-building resources for young mothers and their children.
Future Programs of Impact
HOUSE OF SOLACE:
A Community for Young Mothers and Their Children
House of Solace is the flagship initiative of Bester + Smithson Community Development Corporation, created to provide stability, dignity, and opportunity for young mothers and their children who are working to rebuild their lives.
House of Solace is designed as a supportive residential community where mothers can access safe housing while receiving the mentorship, childcare support, and life-building resources needed to create a stable future for their families.
The community will include a combination of tiny homes, townhomes, and condominiums, along with shared spaces designed to strengthen families and encourage personal growth. Residents will have access to childcare, mentorship, educational support, life-skills development, and employment preparation, all within a nurturing and empowering environment.
Our goal is to create more than housing. House of Solace is designed to build a community where young mothers can heal, grow, and gain the tools needed to achieve long-term independence and generational stability for their children.
Solace Youth Mentorship & Development Program
The Solace Youth Mentorship & Development Program is designed to support youth in our community by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for personal growth.
Through structured mentorship, educational support, and positive activities such as sports and leadership development, youth will gain the confidence, discipline, and life skills necessary to succeed both in school and in life.
The program focuses on mental, physical, and character development, helping young people build strong values, healthy habits, and a clear vision for their future.
Empowerment & Life Skills Training
A key component of House of Solace is our Empowerment and Life Skills Training, which equips participants with the practical tools needed to build independent and sustainable lives.
Training will include areas such as:
• Financial literacy and budgeting
• Career readiness and job training
• Parenting support
• Leadership and personal development
• Independent living skills
These programs are designed to help mothers move beyond crisis and build a strong foundation for themselves and their children.