Chasen Dreams Foundation was founded in 2022, servicing the South Los Angeles area. Our founder Maria Smith has always had a heart for servicing the community. Over the years she has worn many hats and been a pillar in her community. Beginning with opening her home to those who fell upon hard times and overlooked. Over the past 30 years, she has taken
many under her wings creating spaces and opportunities for individuals to grow and become independent. Working alongside so many talented individuals who were misguided with displaced gifts, she yearned to help them soar. Ms.Smith once being a displaced child knew how it felt to be overlooked and admired by her godmother’s efforts.
She became a resource parent parenting over 60 children. She continued her passion upon receiving her degree in psychology and becoming a nurse. Later she opened a childcare and other small businesses to provide the youth with life and job skills. Maria founded this nonprofit on behalf of her brother‘s release from prison and loved ones who have struggled with drug addiction so that they may always have somewhere to come home to. Stamping the beginning of Chasen Dreams Foundation,. Ms. Smith is known for opening up her home and being an inspector for the election in one of Leimert Parks city voting polls.