Pursue The Smile has a strong sense of purpose, driven by personal experiences of hardship and resilience. What we care about:

• Resilience and Overcoming Adversity: We encourage embracing the ability to bounce back from difficult situations. This resilience is a core motivator for helping others.
• Emphasis on Education and Personal Growth: Education is a foundational element, fostering early literacy and self-expression. This connects to the broader thread of continuous self-improvement and learning from experiences.
• Pursuit of Joy and Connection: The "Pursue The Smile" concept stems from a personal struggle with mental health and the conscious effort to find joy again. This translates into a desire to create connection and community for others.
• Service and Helping Others: We champion the strong desire to serve others, particularly foster youth. This is rooted in the belief that helping others can alleviate feelings of loneliness and empower individuals to make positive changes in their lives.
• Faith and Spirituality: A "Christ-forward" identity plays a significant role in shaping our values and motivations, particularly the desire to be a vessel for God's care, wisdom, and guidance.
• Focus on Action and Practicality: We make an emphasis on not just having goals and plans but also "walking it out with faith and grace" as a practical approach to achieving objectives. This is further reinforced by the creation of PTS and our support for The James House.
• Community and Collaboration: We desire to bring people together and highlight the importance of community and collaborative action.

In summary, Pursue The Smile’s identity is defined by resilience, a commitment to personal growth, a deep desire to serve others, and a Christ-forward approach to life. These elements converge in the creation of PTS, which aims to empower individuals to overcome adversity and pursue a fulfilling life.