About HeartSmiles
HeartSmiles is a youth-powered nonprofit based in Baltimore, committed to helping young people discover their purpose and take control of their future. We believe every young person—regardless of background or zip code—deserves access to meaningful opportunities, mentorship, and support that unlock their full potential.
We work directly with youth to build leadership, professional, and life skills through mentorship, career exposure, internships, and community engagement. Our programs are designed to foster confidence, character, and a mindset for success.
At the core of HeartSmiles are our Heartbeats
Heartbeats are the young leaders at the heart of everything we do at HeartSmiles. They are driven, resilient, and committed to personal growth, community impact, and uplifting those around them. More than just participants, Heartbeats are active changemakers—learning, leading, and inspiring others as they build their own pathways to success.
HeartSmiles was founded in 2015 by Joni Holifield...
with a vision to create a brighter future for Baltimore City’s youth. What began as a grassroots effort has grown into a trusted, youth-centered organization focused on breaking down systemic barriers and helping young people realize their full potential.
Rooted in the values of leadership, mentorship, and community, HeartSmiles creates safe spaces where youth can grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Each year, we serve over 1,500 young people through a variety of programs that include professional development, personal growth, and career exposure.
To date, HeartSmiles has provided more than $1M in wages and earn-while-you-learn stipends through internships and skill-building opportunities. But beyond the numbers, we offer something even more valuable: a space for young people to crash, burn, learn, and thrive as they chart their own path to success.
This work is especially vital for Baltimore, a city where far too many young people face the daily weight of inequity, disinvestment, and limited access to opportunity. In neighborhoods often overlooked or underserved, HeartSmiles steps in to fill the gap—with mentorship, resources, and a belief in every young person’s potential. By creating pathways to leadership, education, and career success, we help youth not only survive their circumstances but rise above them. Investing in Baltimore’s youth isn’t just about changing individual lives—it’s about transforming entire communities and shaping a stronger, more just future for the city as a whole.
