ABOUT US
The Autauga/Western Elmore Arc is a membership organization open to all persons who wish to advocate for and support persons with intellectual disabilities. Our organization operates four programs in the River Region: The Louise M. Smith Developmental Center, Supported Employment, Doris Jean Grant Residential Program and the Early Infant Education Intervention Opportunities Program (E.I.E.I.O.). Learn more about our services > AWE Arc is a member chapter of the Arc of Alabama and Arc of the U.S. Organized in 1984, the AWE Arc is a non-profit , Board administered United Way member agency supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Autauga and Western Elmore Counties. The Arc Chapters in Alabama are the largest service providers to persons with intellectual disabilities in the state. visionWe are the premier provider of services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our service area.
mission |
Our Board Alison Deason June Dorough Pete Dorough Kim Hicks Marcia Johnson Brigitte McCawley Caroline Morris Chris Peak Will Sanford David Smith Alice Favors |
|
To educate, train, support, and advocate for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities to enable them to reach their maximum potential as participating members of society.
|
Our Partners
The Arc of Alabama, Chapter Member The Arc of the United States, Affiliated Chapter Member Alabama Department of Mental Health Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services River Region United Way Prattville Chamber of Commerce Autauga County School System Elmore County School System |
staff profiles
|
Jess Butrica, Executive Director
Jess began working at the Smith Center in January of 2007. She has been the Director over the agency for 8 years. Her educational background is a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Sociology and a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology. Jess married her wife, Lisa, last year and together they have three children and four fur-babies! In her free time she enjoys traveling, kayaking, sports (Roll Tide) and spending time with family. She has an extra strong passion for disabilities advocacy and strives to continue to improve services in this area. Jess looks forward to being part of positive change in the evolving services and supports within the Department of Mental Health in the state of Alabama. |
|
Keela Smith, Program Manager
Keela began working at the Smith Center in November of 2015. She holds a Masters of Art in Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University (Tampa, FL) and Bachelors of Art in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Troy University (Troy, AL). She is a member of Chi Sigma Iota honor society for professional counselors. She has over ten years of experience in the area of service to those with mental and/or intellectual disabilities. She enjoys family, church, music, bowling and fishing. Kenyatta Johnson, Transportation Supervisor/ Activities Coordinator
Kenyatta started working at the Smith Center on Sept. 24, 2019, in the transportation department. She now is the Transportation Supervisor. She’s 28 years old and has 3 children; one daughter and two sons. |
|
Amy Pruett, LPN/ MAS Nurse
Amy has been with the Smith Center since April of 2009. She serves primarily as the supervising nurse, but also assists with Quality Assurance issues. She is on call after hours to assist with the healthcare needs of our residential clients. She received her LPN License in 1995 and since then has worked with people who have developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. Amy has lived in the river region all her life. She is a single mom to 2 daughters and has 2 grandchildren. She enjoys being outdoors and gardening when she is not working. Jennifer Smith, LPN/ MAS Nurse
Jennifer started to work at the Smith Center March 2021. She received her LPN nursing license in 1998. Born and raised in Chilton County, Jennifer is a mom to 2 sons and 2 daughters. She has 4 grandchildren. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys outdoors activities, especially ziplining and kayaking. Two of her favorite things are the Fall and watching the Crimson Tide roll! |
|
Carla Darby, Early Intervention Director
Carla began working at the Smith Center March of 2015 as a Service Coordinator with EIEIO (Early Infant Education Intervention Opportunities). She now works as EIEIO Director, alongside four Service Coordinators. Carla received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Auburn University in Early Childhood Special Education. She taught school for 27 years, retiring from the Autauga County School system May 2012. Since retirement, she worked for a private company in the educational services division under a federal grant program transforming under performing schools and school districts. She considers herself to be home again working with children with developmental delays and their families. Carla has been married for over thirty years to her husband, Andrew, and they have three sons and three rescue dogs. Carla loves everything Auburn, gardening, beach, and mostly spending time with her family. |
|
Jamie Mims, Early Intervention Service Coordinator
Jamie Started with Early Intervention (E.I.E.I.O) in January of 2015. She graduated from Troy University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Human Services focusing in Vocational Rehabilitation. Jamie is Married to Mr. Dewayne Mims and lives in Wetumpka . She has a blended family with six children Mary Elizabeth, Laura John and Maddie Emerson, and Parker, Holly and Anna Mims. She enjoys spending time with her family, going to the lake and Alabama football. |
|
Cassandra George, Early Intervention Service Coordinator
Cassandra started with Early Intervention in November of 2015 as a Service Coordinator and Special Instructor with E.I.E.I.O. She grew up in Prattville, Alabama. She currently resides in Montgomery. She graduated from Troy University December 2013 with her Bachelors of Science in Psychology. Cassandra graduated from Amridge University with her Masters of Science in Human Services in April 2017. She has a pit bull named Jade and a miniature dachshund named Layla.. In her free time, she likes to go to the lake, fish, spend time with friends, and read.
|
|
Angela Weldon, Early Intervention Service Coordinator
Angela started with E.I.E.I.O. in July of 2017. She has worked in Early Intervention for 15 years as a service coordinator and special instructor. She has a bachelor’s degree in speech language pathology and audiology. She has been married to Charlie Weldon for 32 years and has one son, who is 28 years old, and one fur baby, named big daddy. In her free time, Angela enjoys reading, gardening, and cooking for others. |
|
Sherry Worthington, Accounting/ Business Office Manager
Sherry has served as the Accountant for the Smith Center for ten years. She brings 16 years of Non-Profit accounting experience from her prior position with The City of St. Jude. She has two children and six grandchildren. She enjoys participating in her church activities, reading and spending time with family and friends . |
|
Georgia Shearon, Administrative Assistant/HR
Georgia began working at the Smith Center in August of 1999 as the receptionist/secretary and now works as the Administrative Assistant, HR Coordinator, and does new employee orientation training, CPI, and CPR/FA training. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology in 2009. She has been married to her husband, Bob, for 48 years and they have 3 children, 12 awesome grandchildren, and 1 precious great-grand daughter. Bob and Georgia’s oldest daughter and her husband have adopted 3 children. They have 3 children with Down Syndrome; 2 of them were adopted from China. Bob and Georgia’s son has been attending the Smith Center since 1994. She enjoys participating in the Women’s Ministry at her Church, attending activities the grandchildren are involved in, sewing, crocheting, and reading in her “spare” time. |
|
Gail Reeves, Accounting Assistant
Gail is the Accounting Assistant at AWE/Arc. She has the responsibility of doing residential client billing, residential accounts payable, employee payroll, and other duties assigned by her supervisor. She has served as the Accounting Assistant for AWE/Arc for 11 years and has over 29 years of experience working in the accounting field. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business/General Management from University of Phoenix and is currently working on her MBA. Gail has severed as Accounts Payable Clerk to Elmore County Commission, CADTF, and the 5 County Districts as well as Accounts Payable/Payroll Clerk to Wiregrass Hospice Montgomery, and Payroll Clerk/Accounts Payable and Office Manger to Resurrection Life Center. She has been married to her husband Pastor Michael O. Reeves Sr. for 25 years and they have 4 children and 5 grandchildren. Gail enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoys working at the church and doing volunteer work/projects with her children. |
|
Kearra Brown, Residential Coordinator
Kearra started working with Autauga Western Elmore Arc in 2015. She started has a one on one personnel. Shortly thereafter she became a lead instructor and then moved her way to be the agency Appointment Coordinator. She spent two years as the Residential Coordinator and now holds the role as the Residential QDDP/Department Head. She has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Liberty University.. Kearra aspires to be a behavior analyst with the ambition in getting her PHD in the future. She is dedicated in creating a life of experience for the people that we support. Dee Dee Edwards, Job Developer
Dee Dee began working at the Smith Center in October 2020. She is the Job Developer and Provider Success Coach. She currently is attending Auburn University Montgomery, obtaining her Special Education Degree. Dee Dee is an active member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha, Beta Nu, Prattville, where she puts in many volunteer hours and focuses on her clothes closet ministry. Dee Dee is a huge advocate for people with special abilities. Dee Dee is married to Brent Edwards, together they have 4 children and 3 grandchildren. Her favorite past-times are giving back to her community and spending time with family and friends on the Alabama River. |
|
Donna Williams, Receptionist
Donna began working at The Smith Center in February, 2019. She and her husband, Jeff have been married 23 yrs. They have 2 children. Caleb is currently attending Auburn University and Kenton is currently attending Auburn University in Montgomery. She enjoys spending time with her family, friends and quilting. She’s a member of Glynwood Baptist Church. Annette Holliday, Bus Driver
Annette has been with the Smith Center for 34 years. She has 3 children, 1 son and 2 daughters. She also has 3 grandchildren. In her spare time she likes to shop, play games and word search puzzles (which are her favorite.) |
|
Angelique Evans, Direct Support Professional/ Job Coach
Angelique has been employed at the Smith Center since October of 2013. She has worked in both the Pre-vocational and Day Hab programs as a Lead Instructor and as a Job coach. She now works in the residential program. She has three children and enjoys reading, sci-fi shows, horseback riding, and American Sign Language. Jocelynne Bruce, QDDP
Jocelynne began working for the Smith Center in 2003 as a Residential DSP. She is now the Day Hab QDDP! She has an Associate’s Degree in Radio & TV Broadcasting and has recently earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Ashford University. She enjoys watching Hallmark & Lifetime movies, playing air hockey and food. She is dedicated to the individuals she supports, helping them become more independent and confident in their own abilities. She encourages all in her area to try new things. LaToya Smith, Job Coach/ Pre-Vocational Instructor LaToya started working for AWE Arc in August of 2018 as a Lead Instructor. She very quickly earned a promotion to Job Coach for the Supported Employment Program in October of 2018. Some of the specifications of her position include supporting services necessary to ensure the successful employment of our individuals involved in the Supported Employment Program. She has done well at providing job readiness training and helping to identify job-related strengths and weakness with her assigned individuals. She is a loyal advocate for those she serves. LaToya has a daughter and they enjoy shopping, eating out and learning new sports together. |