Joyce Smith

The event was hosted by the CPRF Board of Directors and was attended by Chairman Dan Carney of Carney Investments, Daniel Taylor of Taylor Enterprises, Inc., Deryl Schuster of Business Loan Center, Inc., Mike Burrus of Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School, Joyce Smith of CPRF, Jack Jonas CPRF founder and president emeritus, Patrick Jonas of CPRF, Kenneth Wagnon of Capital Enterprises, Inc., and Donald Sbarra of Sbarra Enterprises.

Joyce Smith, CPRF Board assistant secretary and CPRF executive administrative assistant, moved to Wichita in 1961. Since then she has been a champion of the CPRF vision to provide people with disabilities opportunities for employment, housing and other necessary supports - first with United Cerebral Palsy of Kansas, then by joining other visionaries who founded CPRF in 1972. "It wasn't easy.CPRF didn't just spring into being - it was a lot of hard work," said Smith."We came from very modest beginnings and CPRF can only continue to get better." The mother of three children, Smith moved with her husband, Odell, from Texas to secure services for her youngest, Joy, who was then six years old. "Joy was the only child with a disability in our small community.After visiting the Institute of Logopedics, (now known as Heartsprings), I realized that Joy's disabilities were so minor compared to others.It changes your perspective." During her first Wichita visit, Smith was offered a position with CPRF Founder John F. "Jack" Jonas Jr. who was then UCPK executive director.
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Although the Smith family expected to be here for only a few years, long enough to benefit Joy, they quickly became involved with the community and here they stayed. "This is the greatest place in the world.If you don't need the services you wouldn't understand," Smith said.
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During more than 40 years together, Smith has quietly worked behind the scenes throughout CPRF's incredible history of "firsts."
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"Joyce is one of the most generous and selfless people I have ever met," Jonas said.
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"Day to day operations would be infinitely more challenging, if it were not for Joyce.She has a wonderful way with people and is held in the highest regard from all staff and the board of directors." "The development of CPRF was a gradual process and there were so many challenges and disappointments along the way," Smith said."It has been a hard job, but this is the greatest organizations in the world - it has been a love of mine, not a job." The creation of Center Industries Corporation in 1975 directly addressed Smith's concerns for her daughter who was rapidly approaching adulthood at a time when opportunities for independence were severely limited.After completing her education at Holy Family Center in May 1975, Joy went to work for Center Industries that August where she remains on the job today. "I so love CIC and what it represents to so many people," Smith said."If it wasn't for CIC, many of its employees wouldn't have a job." Smith's priorities are clear: "God, my family and this job.It's been exciting," she said.Throughout the years, Smith has maintained a clear focus on employment, housing and more recently the development of the School of Adaptive Computer Training. The need for accessible housing was realized just a few short years later in 1979 with the opening of the nation's first HUD apartment complex designed specifically for people with disabilities. "Housing is so important and I know that at first Jack wondered where we would find people to move in," she recalls.
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True to her character of working behind the scenes, Smith has a reputation of lending a helping hand to families in need, whatever that need may be - a ride to a doctor's appointment, shopping or simply helping a person find resources in the community.
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"Joyce has always helped people, in a quiet way while going about her business.She has a real way of identifying with our customers.This is quite a remarkable attribute." The organization's cornerstone, Smith is wedded to CPRF both personally and professionally.Today, just as in the past, she continues to make a difference at all levels by working quietly behind the scenes - which is where she admits she would rather be.

"I'll never forget the way he yelled into the phone," said Joyce Smith, CPRF Executive secretary, who made the phone call.

Joyce Smith, CPRF Assistant Secretary -