Meet Emily Smith, our passionate and joy-filled intern from Moody Bible Institute.

When Emily began looking for an internship to complete her Crisis and Trauma Care degree, she did what many students do—she turned to Google. But what she found wasn’t just any internship. It was a calling.

“I googled ‘family preservation ministries,’ and when Orphan Care Alliance popped up, I just knew that’s where I wanted to be,” Emily shared.

Growing up in a family with two biological and four adopted siblings, she has become an advocate for keeping families together and children out of foster care; Emily’s passion aligned perfectly with OCA’s mission.

As a young adult stepping into the world of family support and preservation, she didn’t expect to have all the answers. In fact, one of the biggest challenges she faced was wondering if she had enough life experience to make a difference.

“I told a coworker that I didn’t think I’d ever feel like I knew what I was doing,” Emily recalled. “But she reminded me—none of us truly do. Every family’s story is unique. What matters is knowing the One who understands it all.”

Following Passion and Looking to What is Next

Emily’s passion for family preservation, her willingness to go wherever needed, and her love for spontaneous adventures (yes—she’s the friend who’s always down to explore a new town!) have made a lasting mark on our team. She got to be involved in a lot of different aspects of ministry in her time with us. From design work in Canva to casework ride-alongs, Emily does it all with heart and purpose. We’re so thankful she found OCA and said “yes” to joining the mission.

Coming from Delaware by way of her time in Chicago as a college student, she has loved her time in the Bluegrass State. Finishing up her internship at OCA and heading into her senior year, Emily is asking for prayer. Pray for clarity, trust, and courage as she follows the next steps God lays before her. And we may, or may not, be saying a little prayer that God leads her back to work with us 😁

We know, whatever she does next, Emily will carry the comfort of Christ into every room she walks into.