The vision of Life Connections is to create a community in which everyone develops supportive connections, becomes the person they want to be, and finds that the answers to their personal challenges lie within.
OUR MISSION
The mission of Life Connections is to keep kids out of jail and to keep families connected. We do this by providing programs and services designed to develop adolescents, strengthen homes and keep families connected.
Since 1997, Life Connections has been on a mission to keep kids out of jail and keep families connected. We believe in creating the conditions for youth to develop stong as well as the homes in which they live. We do this through our signature DASH (Developing Adolescents, Strengthening Homes) programs.
At Life Connections, we don't just provide answers; we help young people and their families discover their own solutions to the challenges they face. Our programs are built on a foundation of restorative practices, taking a two-generational approach that supports the entire family. Every program is backed by research and tailored to meet the unique needs of our community.
Since our inception, we've had the privilege of working with over 6,500 individuals, launching 19 programs across 13 North Carolina counties. We are committed to fostering positive change and building stronger, healthier communities, one family at a time.
Form strong quality connections with all whom we serve
Guiding Principles
Professionalism
We are committed to the highest standards of professionalism. This means upholding ethical practices and maintaining technical proficiency in every aspect of our work
CLIENT SERVICES
We commit to quality service and dedicate ourselves to helping others adapt positively to their environment.
TEAMWORK
We believe that true success is built on collaboration, where diverse talents unite to achieve shared goals with integrity, respect, and mutual support.
INTEGRITY
We take responsibility for our actions and tell the truth in a kind and respectful way.
COMPASSION
We believe others act with positive intent so it’s ok to make a mistake because we learn from them.
Glenn Smith is the Founder and Executive Director of Life Connections of the Carolinas, Inc. In 1974, when Glenn was 21 years old and still in college he founded The New Dawn Youth Center in Buckhannon W. Va. a group home for at-risk youth. A year later in 1975, he became the President of the W.V Child Care Association. Five years later, while attending Cornell University’s School of Human Ecology, he worked for the New York State Division of Youth. In 1981, after moving to North Carolina he became the Area Coordinator at Lutheran Family Services. Six years later Glenn founded The Family Connection, a Private Counseling Center which grew to become one of the largest practices in Charlotte.
Wanting to get back to direct services in the community Glenn founded Life Connections Inc. in 1997 and started teaching life skill courses to incarcerated men in the Mecklenburg County Jail. He also served as senior faculty with the International Association of Applied Control Theory, traveling all over the US and Canada, China, and Australia to teach the tenets of Applied Control Theory. In 2017 he established Life Connections of the Carolinas, Inc. a 501c3 with the mission to “keep kids out of jail and keep families connected”. Glenn is passionate about the agency’s DASH programs which develop adolescents and strengthen homes. His goal for Life Connections of the Carolinas is to build a sustainable, thriving organization and leave it in a position to operate
Angela Diaz
Office Manager
Bi-Lingual Coordinator/Instructor
Quan Brown-Young
Office Support
Project Manager/IT
Jenifer Corscadden
JCPC Intake Coordinator
Guilford, Anson, Richmond, Stanly, Lee Counties
Ronnie Owens
Guilford County Strengthening Families Coordinator
Alexandra Shaw
Workforce Development Coordinator
Fredia Owens
Eastern Counties Regional Coordinator
Angela Reid
Union Counseling Center
Clinical Director
Keeping Kids Out of Jail and Keeping Families Connected
