Smiles for Speech – Lifting Voices, Changing Lives
Smiles for Speech is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children with speech, language, and communication disorders in underserved communities around the world. Founded by Sandy Dorsey, MA, CCC-SLP, the organization works to empower families and caregivers by offering access to therapeutically sound resources, professional training, and direct services where speech therapy is scarce or unavailable. Their mission recognizes that many children with disabilities are defined by what they can’t do—milestones unmet, voices unheard—but Smiles for Speech is committed to changing that narrative. Smiles for Speech
What Smiles for Speech Provides
Smiles for Speech offers a variety of programs to meet different needs in global communities. They run mission trips in countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Jamaica, Peru, Rwanda, and the Dominican Republic, bringing together speech-language pathologists and related professionals to provide direct therapy and training to caregivers and local practitioners. Smiles for Speech+1
They also operate Global Teletherapy Hubs, allowing children to receive speech and occupational therapy virtually. These hubs support families through telepractice, virtual workshops, parent-mediated interventions, and peer support. Importantly, Smiles for Speech helps create sustainable impact by distributing therapy materials, building culturally appropriate resources, and helping establish libraries and resource centers for long-term local use. Smiles for Speech+1
Additionally, their Scholars Study Abroad Program gives students training and immersive experiences in intercultural settings, preparing future speech-language pathologists to serve globally and sensitively in diverse environments. Smiles for Speech
Impact: Why Smiles for Speech Matters
In communities where speech therapy is rare or inaccessible, the impact of Smiles for Speech is profound. For many children, the difference between access and non-access means the difference between participation in school and being excluded. Their work addresses stigma and misconceptions about speech and language disorders, especially in places where cultural beliefs may view disabilities as shame or curse. By bringing education, resources, and understanding, Smiles for Speech helps transform attitudes and unlocks possibilities for communication and self-expression. Smiles for Speech
Examples of their work show what this looks like in practice: children who were not speaking or eating varied food textures, or who had been hidden from education due to severe communication barriers, have made meaningful progress after access to therapeutic services and caregiver training. Smiles for Speech
Strengths & Sustainability
What sets Smiles for Speech apart is their emphasis on sustainability, training, and cultural responsiveness. Instead of just doing short-term mission work, they invest in training local professionals and caregivers so that communities continue to benefit after volunteers leave. Resource distribution, culturally relevant materials, and remote/teletherapy follow-ups help ensure gains are not temporary. Smiles for Speech+1
They also respect cultural and linguistic diversity, adapting tools and approaches to fit local norms rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all model. This helps reduce resistance, increases relevance, and often leads to better outcomes.
