At 22, Dyamond Smith is the mother of a happy, healthy 4-year old daughter. Despite the challenges she, like so many others, face during the COVID crisis, Dyamond has continued to take care of her daughter, gain new skills and certifications, and make plans for their future.

Although she is smart, funny, outgoing, kind, and insightful, the first thing you are likely to notice about Dyamond when you see her is that she is missing several teeth. When she was 14 years old she accepted a ride home, as she had several times before, from strangers who said they were going her way. They lied. They took Dyamond to an apartment where they drugged, raped, and beat her repeatedly for a month. The day she was able to make her way out of that hell was the day one of the men smashed his fist into her mouth knocking out several teeth.

Dyamond returned to her family, received limited physical and mental health support and eventually completed high school. Unfortunately, the resources were not available to provide the extensive dental work she needs.

Please listen to Dyamond tell you in her own words about her life, her aspirations, and what her smile means to her and please do what you can to help her as she continues to move forward with her life.