Building Legacy Through Faith, Family, and Foster Youth Advocacy
As founder of Nehemiah Project LA and a respected leader in Los Angeles’ faith community, Bishop Edward A. Smith has committed his life to restoring hope, purpose, and belonging to one of society’s most forgotten populations, aged-out foster youth. His “Forever Family” model transforms lives through faith, love, and practical support, offering more than shelter—it offers legacy. In this interview, Bishop Ed shares the heart behind the mission, the role of Black men in rebuilding families, and why faith must lead the way.
Bishop Ed: Early in 2012, during a youth gathering at my home, I told the youth I didn’t mind helping them get a laptop, buy a car, or pay their rent gap—but asked, “Where are your parents?” There was a resounding answer: “We don’t have any parents. We grew up in foster care.”
I was shocked. I didn’t know. Somehow, I hadn’t connected the “orphan” in the Bible with modern-day foster youth. I was convicted and deeply troubled. I cried and told God how sorry I was that I didn’t know their plight earlier. That moment changed me.
It was then that I committed my life to supporting former foster youth who aged out of the system alone, with no help or support. That’s when I received the vision for Nehemiah Project LA.
Bishop Ed: Broken families and absent fathers leave children vulnerable and often living in poverty. Without broader family support, relatives may be unable to provide a safe and nurturing home, leading these children into a foster care system that’s often overwhelmed and underfunded.
Foster care cannot replace family. At best, it offers shelter—often in homes where caregivers are ill-equipped to handle multiple traumatized children. This opens the door to sexual abuse, running away, and cycles of sex trafficking, drug addiction, and incarceration.
At Nehemiah Project LA, we place special emphasis on partnering with the faith community to help care for these children—whom God commands us to support
Bishop Ed: Our core value is Forever Family—a need every human being shares. Most of our youth have never experienced what true family feels like and are often suspicious of adults due to painful foster care experiences.
We model love and forever family by showing a genuine interest in their well-being. We invite our youth to join family holidays, birthdays, and special gatherings. Though earning their trust takes time, 90% of the time our staff and volunteers are ultimately embraced as family—even after the youth leave our housing.
What sets Nehemiah Project LA apart is our culture of love—and sometimes tough love—as we walk alongside our “Nehemiah Dream Chasers” through life’s challenges. Even when a resident violates program agreements and must leave, we work to place them somewhere safe. And we stay in touch, because family doesn’t end when someone moves on.
Now, after formally launching in 2015, we see many former residents remain connected—getting married, starting families, buying homes, and thriving in their careers.
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Bishop Ed: Nehemiah provides professional program and case management, helping our Dream Chasers identify job and career goals and chart a path forward. We also offer life coaching, financial literacy, mental health support, and access to a collaborative network of partner organizations.
At the heart of our Forever Family culture is our faith—modeled through love, forgiveness, and relationship restoration. These values empower our youth to rebuild relationships with others, and in many cases, reconcile with their biological families.
Family is God’s plan for identity, support, stability, and legacy. With family, young people don’t have to start life alone—they gain a head start and a foundation to build upon.
Bishop Ed: Legacy means living a life others can follow. We focus especially on Black former foster youth, they’re overrepresented and often suffer the worst outcomes. I want to see this vision expand nationally and globally, with the faith community stepping up to lead.
Bishop Ed: A strong marriage begins with a foundation of Biblical Values, including:
There is a spiritual attack on the male seed. Both parents must intentionally work to restore and strengthen father-child relationships, especially with boys (see Exodus 1:8-22; Malachi 4:6).
Helping men become strong, godly, loving role models is essential to healing families. Only a committed faith community can cultivate a culture that values love, forgiveness, marriage, and family—for generations to come.
Bishop Ed: For over 35 years, I’ve helped people live a life of purpose—with marriage, family, and economic prosperity at the core. We’ve provided training in leadership, business development, and building kingdom legacy.
Teaching people to own homes, businesses, and land secures generational wealth and provides a kickstart for their children. Legacy is God’s way of ensuring our families have an economic edge in life.
Bishop Ed: First, seek to live for a higher calling by embracing the truth of God’s Word and receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Second, build friendships with godly men who model faith, marriage, family, and leadership well.
Finally, spend daily time with God—through prayer, study, and obedience. The safest, most fulfilling place to be is in God’s perfect will for your life.
And remember: difficulties will come. Even if they’re not your fault, faith will sustain you. Living by faith brings peace and confidence that God will take care of you.
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