Foundation for Officers Recovering From Traumatic Events Est. 2001. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
WHO WE ARE
About US
- OUR PURPOSE
FORTE Foundation is a non-profit established in 2001 by Bobby E. Smith, PhD, a former Louisiana State Trooper who was shot and blinded in the line of duty. FORTE was founded with the mission to serve first responders by providing psychological services to officers and their families.Our Values
- OUR VALUES
We believe in a holistic approach to overall health which includes mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well being.
- OUR GOALS
The FORTE Foundation plans to aid responders by opening Badges Counseling Center in Alexandria, Louisiana so that these responders may have a place to be heard and be helped. BADGES will be an outpatient center that offers peer-support counseling to a community of first responders who are at a higher risk of divorce, addiction, insomnia, stress, and other physical, mental, and emotional losses.
We aim to open BADGES in 2017. Please check our Facebook page or BADGES website for updates as we progress towards this goal.
BOBBY & JANIE SMITH
Bobby Smith was a Louisiana State Trooper who, in 1986, was shot in
the face and blinded by a violent offender. Life for him would never be
the same. The years following this trauma were filled with daily
struggles adjusting to blindness, fears about the future, and financial
hardships. Bobby lost not only his eyesight but also his career,
self-confidence, indpendence and marriage. In the years following his
trauma he met and married Janie D Smith, LPC. In 1997, Bobby’s daughter,
Kim, was tragically killed in a car crash. Later in 2010, he and
Janie’s son, Brad, also died at the age of 20. The shooting, blindness
and loss of his children all made Bobby realize his dream. He and Janie
desired to help others who were also going through trials of life.
There has never been a more dangerous time for emergency responders.
Suicide is the leading cause of death among a group who often do not
seek counseling for a variety of reasons. The Smiths believe there
should be a safe place for these men and women In doing so, it would
save lives and help this group be the best at their professions. BADGES
Counseling Center will be a place where these great and needy public
servants can be heard and be helped with facing challenges. If you would
like to help by making a donation or by becoming a partner, please
contact FORTE Foundation by phone, mail, e-mail or at our website.
The exhibitions are produced by UMoMA in collaboration with artists and museums around the world and they often attract international attention. UMoMA has received a Special Commendation from the European Museum of the Year, and was among the top candidates for the Swedish Museum of the Year Award as well as for the Council of Europe Museum Prize.
DONATE TO FORTE
The FORTE Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.
All donations are tax-deductible and our vision of aiding first responders through the BADGES Counseling Center is made possible by your donations.
Please see below for ways that you can help us on this journey.
DONATE BY MAIL
Any check/money orders can be sent to the address below:
FORTE Foundation | 135 Pecan Bayou Dr | Alexandria, LA 71303
DONATE ONLINE
FORTE uses the secure services of PayPal for the online processing of donations.
PayPal accepts all major credit and debit cards as well as PayPal to PayPal transactions.
Donations may be made by clicking the PayPal link below.