Today we’d like to introduce you to Lupe Ibarra Smith.
Hi Lupe, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m a native of Jalisco, México. I immigrated to the United States with my family at age seven. My life journey thus far has been a hard and amazing one. I was raised in a family woven together with love, strength and commitment. Working in the fields alongside my family and with other families helped to give me a unique perspective on life including an appreciation for hard work, a respect for the challenges all families face and a belief in the power of community to support each other through hard times.
Dance has always been an important part of my life. I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theater and dance at the California State University of Sacramento. I also studied with The Martha Graham School of Dance, Alvin Alley Dance Company, Sacramento Black Art of Dance Company and Jazzy Dance Company. I have choreographed many dance pieces in addition to being a performer, touring throughout the U.S. as a dancer.
My love for the art of dance motivated me to start my own dance studio, which has allowed me to teach hundreds of students of all ages for the past 25 years. My unique dance program is designed to enhance a child’s physical and creative development and help to cultivate a lifelong appreciation of dance for every child.
After many years of owning a dance studio, my life took on a new direction after my twin sons were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. I struggled to find services for my sons and decided to start a nonprofit foundation that would help underprivileged children with special needs. The JOY Foundation represents everything I’m passionate about: my children, my artistic career and my desire to make a difference in the lives of children with special needs and their families. The JOY Foundation services and reaches out to underprivileged children who live with autism, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, and similar conditions.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My transition from owning a dance studio to starting a nonprofit came with lots of challenges. Within six months of starting the nonprofit, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor and my sons were diagnosed with autism. It was a lot to process and I needed to figure out how to find the resources and support to handle everything.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The JOY Foundation is a safe haven for children with special needs, providing therapy, counseling, education and support for families. We have monthly parent support groups, yearly education conferences and weekly social skills classes for children with special needs. Every year we provide some form of support to about 500 families with children with special needs.
What sets JOY Foundation apart from others is that we have firsthand experience working with children with special needs because most of the people that work for the foundation have children with special needs. For example, I have twin boys with autism. We take what we have learned from our experience and try to help other children and their families. We also treat each child that we work with as if they are part of our families. We personalize everything to fit the needs of each child and family.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Mostly, I give credit to GOD. I am so grateful to husband William, my amazing boys Christian and Jayden and my entire family. I also would like to give credit to my clients and their families, friends, teachers, schools, doctors, community and all my supporters.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jewelsofyouth.org
- Facebook: Jewels of Youth Foundation@JewelsofYouth
