The story of Smith Agency Inc. began with one family’s determination to create a better future for individuals with developmental disabilities. Founded by William Sr. and Terri Smith, Smith Agency was born from the experiences, challenges, and unconditional love they shared with their son Gregory, whose developmental disabilities inspired the creation of an organization dedicated to compassionate care, advocacy, and opportunity.
What started as a family’s mission to provide the right environment for their own child quickly grew into a lifelong commitment to helping countless children and adults with developmental disabilities throughout Colorado. The name “Serenity” represents the peace and reassurance families feel when they find a safe, caring, and supportive place for their loved ones.
Since becoming foster parents in 1986, Smith Agency has continued to grow out of necessity rather than ambition — always guided by the belief that individuals with developmental disabilities deserve dignity, stability, opportunity, and a place they can truly call home. Over the years, the organization expanded from foster care into Residential Child Care Facilities (RCCFs), Personal Care Alternatives (PCAs), adult day programs, community participation services, and specialized education programs designed to meet the evolving needs of the individuals we serve.
Today, Smith Agency remains a family-operated nonprofit organization committed to providing person-centered, community-based services in compassionate and home-like environments. The “Smith Philosophy” continues to guide everything we do: clients always come first. We strive to treat every individual with the same care, respect, compassion, and dignity we would want for our own family members.
Our mission is rooted in the belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to become a happy, confident, active, and contributing member of their community. Through residential care, education, life skills development, community involvement, and individualized support, Smith Agency works each day to help individuals reach their fullest potential while building meaningful and lasting relationships.
More than an organization, Smith Agency is a community built on compassion, perseverance, and the belief that every life has value and purpose.
Smith Agency/Serenity started with a beautiful baby boy with curly dark hair and big brown eyes. The name "Smith" came from its founders, William Sr. and Terri Smith. "Serenity" is the peace parents finally feel when they find the right place for their forever children.
William and I had four sons: Gregory, Michael, Jason, and Bill Jr. Gregory, whom we call Greg, was the firstborn and the driving force to create a place for the unique needs of our very special population. Greg was born on 9/11/66 and had a complicated delivery which resulted in oxygen deprivation and developmental delays. Although as a mother I knew something was wrong with Greg's development at 18 months, doctors were reluctant to confirm a diagnosis until the age of 8. As a young, naïve mother during the late sixties, when I was told my son had developmental delays, I just figured he would catch up. I stayed in denial until the realization hit like a crushing blow that seemed unrecoverable. My son was not going to be that typical kid; I had a sandbox drop out!
The work then started. I tried to learn everything possible about special needs children, the different diagnoses, syndromes, schools, resources, and what I could hope for my boy's future. Computers and the Internet were not around back then, so I sat there with an old black phone and a massive phone book. Greg attended special classes in school and many times the call would come to pick him up because of his rage, aggression, and maladaptive behaviors. Then the grand-mal seizures started along with the other pubescent maladies. Greg's needs seemed to overshadow the needs of my other sons and at one time I considered placing him, but I could not find the right place. I just could not bring myself to leave him. I prayed that God would give us the strength to raise all the boys together for as long as possible without hurting or alienating any of Greg's brothers. So we took each day as it came and decided "to worry about it tomorrow." Well, today is the tomorrow I worried about yesterday, and with great faith and determination, I found a place not only for our son but for all sons and daughters with developmental disabilities. My mission for Greg is the same mission I have for all the students and residents of Smith Agency: that they are happy, adjusted individuals, working, active, and contributing to their community.
Terri Smith-Weeks, Founder of Smith Agency Inc.
Timeline of Growth
Through the years, Smith Agency Inc.
has grown out of need, not ambition. What began as one family’s mission to provide compassionate care for their son evolved into a family-operated nonprofit organization serving children and adults with developmental disabilities throughout Colorado. Today, Executive Director William W. Smith Jr. (“Bill”) continues to lead the agency with the same values and dedication on which it was founded.
The “Smith Philosophy” remains the heart of the organization: clients always come first. We believe in treating every individual with dignity, compassion, and respect while providing safe, supportive, and home-like environments that encourage independence and meaningful community involvement.
1986–1991
The Smith family becomes foster parents and begins caring for children with developmental disabilities in their home, eventually expanding into a larger residence to meet growing needs.
1992
Smith Agency officially becomes a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with an established Board of Directors dedicated to supporting the agency’s mission.
1994–1998
Smith Agency opens its first Residential Child Care Facilities (RCCFs), foster and host home programs, Personal Care Alternative (PCA) homes, Adult Day Programs, and Community Participation services to support both children and adults with developmental disabilities.
2001
Serenity Learning Center is established to provide specialized educational and day treatment services for students with significant behavioral and developmental needs.
2003–2009
The organization continues expanding residential services with additional PCA homes and specialized living environments for both men and women throughout the community.
2010
Smith Agency opens “The Gregory Center,” named in honor of Greg Smith, whose life inspired the agency’s founding and growth. Administrative offices are also relocated to Aurora to support expanding programs and staff.
2012–2013
Additional buildings and residential programs are added to accommodate the continued growth of the Adult Day Program and community-based residential services.
Today
Smith Agency continues to provide compassionate, person-centered residential, educational, and community-based services while remaining committed to helping individuals with developmental disabilities become happy, active, and contributing members of their communities.
