Women & Family Empowerment
Connection, leadership, and opportunity for women and families in Louisville.
What it is
Community-led support, grounded in dignity
Women and families bring knowledge, resilience, and lived experience to their communities. More Than A Smile Foundation creates welcoming, culturally responsive spaces where those strengths are recognized and relationships can grow.
Programming spans leadership development, economic empowerment, wellness and peer support, and mentorship circles — all shaped around connection, practical learning, and access to trusted resources. Activities are delivered in community spaces accessible by public transit, with childcare provided when possible.
Program impact
What participants experience
Women build leadership skills and confidence to advocate for themselves and their families
Participants gain access to economic resources, workforce pathways, and financial literacy
Families develop stronger social networks and peer support systems
Women connect to health, legal, and social services they were previously unaware of
Cultural identity is affirmed and celebrated as a community asset
Peer facilitators develop facilitation skills and grow as community leaders
Program data
Who we serve and how
Population served
Women and families from immigrant and refugee backgrounds, primarily Somali, Somali Bantu, and other East African communities in South Louisville (Shawnee, Wyandotte, Parkland) and the West End.
Schedule
Year-round. Monthly workshops and cohort sessions; seasonal family events. Programming is scheduled around school calendars and family availability, with childcare provided when possible.
Program activities
- Women’s leadership development workshops and cohort programming
- Economic empowerment sessions: financial literacy, small business basics, career exploration
- Mentorship circles pairing emerging leaders with established community members
- Wellness and self-care programming in culturally affirming settings
- Family engagement events: bowling nights, park days, cultural celebrations
- Referrals to legal, health, and social services
Partners
- Somali Bantu Community of Kentucky
- Louisville Coalition for Immigrant Support
- Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky
- Local faith communities and cultural organizations
Support women and families
Invest in culturally responsive opportunities for connection, leadership, and economic mobility in Louisville.