Meet Betty Smith of Canton NW

Today we’d like to introduce you to Betty Smith

Hi Betty, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
This is one of my many stories – this one is about my new facility the EN-RICH-MENT ARTS EDUCATION CENTER.

Growing up my mother taught me that there is nothing too hard for God. He wants us to ask and believe that we will receive, and He will give us the desires of our heart. She said it might not be immediately but if you have patience and wait, He will deliver. This is my story.

Nine years ago, Maria Byington, A friend of mine and supporter of EN-RICH-MENT, raised money that allowed me to purchase violins. In one of our conversations, I mentioned to her that I also needed support for our drumline. She gave me the name and address of a person she thought would be able to assist me with the EN-RICH-MENT DRUMLINE. On September 15, 2015, I sent a letter to a gentleman named Ted Swaldo and explained our program and drumline needs.
A week later I received a phone call from Mr. Swaldo requesting a meeting at my office.

Upon his arrival at EN-RICH-MENT, He asked if I knew who he was. I had not done my homework and replied: “I’m very sorry sir, I do not know who you are.” You can imagine what ran through my mind when he shared with me his affiliation with Bluecoats, the most widely celebrated and competitively successful drum corps in the world and his world-renowned Gervasi Vineyard.
He smiled, and we proceeded to talk. We had a wonderful meeting once I recovered from the shock of who he was.
He told me he would speak with Bluecoats Board of Directors and see what they could do to assist.
In less than 3 months Bluecoats began to assist the drumline by providing drumsticks, as well as purchasing shoes, and jackets. They later paid for one of their out-of-town instructors to teach a monthly workshop to our young drummers. WHAT A BLESSING. The first of many.

The EN-RICH-MENT program continued to grow. The growth meant we needed additional space. The Canton Pentecostal Church, which is located on 10th and McKinley offered EN-RICH MENT the use of one of their unoccupied buildings. This was a two-story building with very few windows, the same as our facility on 10th and Cleveland. Our only responsibility was to pay for utilities. Now EN-RICH-MENT had two, two-story buildings with very few windows.

Although it was appreciated, I began to pray TO GOD for a new ONE-STORY building with windows.
Many individuals helped me in my search for a building. And can I tell you…God heard me and answered my prayer
The late Rod Meadows, of Motter and Meadows Architectural Firm, prepared over five or more architectural drawings of the various locations we thought might be a good match.

There are layers to my story so please try to follow me as I explain how God’s hand was in every step which led us to where we are today.

Four years ago, Mike Scott, CEO of Bluecoats, met with me to discuss ways in which the Bluecoats could assist EN-RICH-MENT.

His first thought was a merger but after MEETING with our board OF DIRECTORS, it was decided this was not the answer.
My search for a building continued. I never lost my faith that God had something for me.
Challenges and obstacles became my constant companion during this search to such an extent that I reached out to my Facebook family and asked them to pray for ENRICH-MENT.

Mike Scott read the Facebook post, called, and said, “Betty, don’t be like the man on the roof.” For those of you who might not know this Biblical story, which is sometimes told as a joke, it is about a Christian man who refuses several rescue attempts in the face of approaching floodwaters. He was on the roof of a house waiting for God to rescue him. Each time a rescuer came for him he said, “God will save me.” Well, the man drowned. When he met God, he asked him, “Why didn’t you save me? God responded “I sent two boats and a helicopter, and you refused them.
With this story in mind, I did not want to be like the man on the roof so I said Mike, I got your message, and I will be in touch, I do not want to drown.

Shortly thereafter I spoke with Marisa Rohn, CEO of Sisters of Charity, about capacity building funding. Her instructions to me were to develop sustainability and a succession plan. She then suggested I meet with Goodwill about an Affiliation Agreement like the one Goodwill had with another agency. I followed her suggestion and met with Goodwill.
After my conversation with Goodwill, I spoke with Mike and later my board and Bluecoats Board of Directors.

On June 30, 2023, EN-RICH-MENT and the Bluecoats signed an Affiliation Agreement. Another blessing from God.
Now that was settled, but I still wanted a one-story building with windows. I discussed this with Mr. Swaldo who listened attentively and replied, “Betty, let me see what I can do.”
It is my understanding that Mr. Swaldo met with several individuals and groups in search of a building.
Several months had passed when Mr. Swaldo came to my office and said, “Betty, I have the ideal building for you. I would like you to see it.

Upon arrival, I recognized the building. The first time I was inside this building was by mistake…this is what happened. I was supposed to meet Rob Barrett to look at one of the Arts in Stark buildings for EN-RICH-MENT’S temporary use. I came to this building by mistake! I remember saying to myself, wow, this is a great building. Rob was at the building Arts in Stark wanted me to look at on 10th and Cleveland. I later met with Rob, and we temporarily used that building for our percussion department. Back to my story.

Mr. Swaldo said, “Well Betty, what do you think about this building.” My reply was “I really like it better than anything I have looked at in the last five years.” This was exactly what I had asked God for, one story with windows.

The rest is history. After six months on June 4, 2024, EN-RICH-MENT moved into our new building in time for our summer camp. Our enrollment doubled and continues to do so.

Becaue of the growth we are raising funds for the increased cost.

www.en-rich-ment..org/1000

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
EN-RICH-MENT always needs voluntters for our fruit desk, classroom assistants, kitchen assistants, maintenance, martketing and furndraising

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.en-rich-ment.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/en.rich.ment/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betty.m.smith.98