Her Story
About Wendy
Wendy Smith, LCCA, LCPAA, is the founder of Houston’s House of Hope, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing individualized, therapeutic care and support for at-risk youth in the Houston area. Based in Baytown, Texas, she brings more than two decades of experience working with vulnerable populations, including nearly 19 years with the Florida Department of Corrections as a Case Manager. Her extensive experience within the correctional system gave her firsthand insight into the challenges facing youth involved in foster care and other vulnerable circumstances and inspired her commitment to early intervention and meaningful support.
As founder and leader of Houston’s House of Hope, Wendy oversees residential treatment and child-placing services focused on helping children navigate trauma, behavioral challenges, developmental needs, and instability. Her approach emphasizes seeing the child behind the behavior and creating an environment built on trust, dignity, compassion, and individualized care rather than institutionalized treatment. She holds a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from the University of West Florida and an Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice/Psychology from Chipola College. She is also licensed as both a Child Care Administrator and Child Placing Agency Administrator in Texas.
Wendy's leadership is deeply grounded in faith, perseverance, and a commitment to never giving up on a child. Through Houston’s House of Hope, she strives to connect young people and families with compassionate resources that address their emotional, behavioral, developmental, and spiritual needs. Her work reflects a belief that a difficult childhood or current circumstance does not have to determine a young person's future. Guided by ethics, respect, biblical principles, and a strong sense of purpose, Wendy continues to build a community where children can experience stability, healing, and hope.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Wendy
01What do you attribute your success to?
My faith is the leading point in everything I do. I am guided by the Holy Spirit and biblical principles of love, and I lead everything with love. God is first and foremost, the leader, guide and guard of my life.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Continue to push even when there's no movement. Don't give up. I've had that stand true in times where I wanted to give up or things were overwhelming, and I just continue on. I'm pretty resilient.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Make your mission clear and stand true to it. If your mission is God-guided, stay true to that. You may not see the resources or employees right away, but stay true to your mission and vision. Dream one step bigger than what you see. Don't stop. Keep dreaming.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The main challenge is connecting children to the right providers, especially ABA therapy and empathetic, compassionate, faith-based providers who know about holistic healing. The highlight is finding success stories where kids come in crisis and leave with love, hope, healing, getting adopted, and reconnecting with faith.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my work, ethics and morals are most important, treating people with respect and dignity no matter their walk of life, leading conversations with love. In my personal life, God is first and foremost, guided by the Holy Spirit and biblical principles of love.
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