![Luke in formal attire](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/luke-zappia-bowtie.jpg?itok=TKzM-eia)
Luke Zappia Wants Children With Clefts to be Superheroes
He doesn't have a cleft, but Smile Train has always been like a part of his family.
![Emily Smile Train YLC member](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/emily-wears-penn-shirt.jpg?itok=Wt4E7Ks4)
Emily Jiang Makes a Difference, No Matter the Distance
How one conversation — and one good idea — can make a huge difference.
![Julia holds up Smile Train banner](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/julia-holds-smile-train-sign.jpg?itok=Fwh2eRvl)
Julia Hahn Knows the Power of a Smile
"I know Smile Train really is changing the world one smile at a time because one of those smiles is mine."
![Manny Ventura Smile Train supporter](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/manny-ventura-smile-train-supporter.jpg?itok=2_TheN41)
Manny Ventura: “What’s Your Battle Scar?”
"Being born “different” is exactly why you should achieve big goals and be full of confidence."
![Michael Ho Smile Train supporter](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/michael-ho-student-ambassador.jpg?itok=FYAgKQUk)
Michael Ho Helps Others by Helping Himself
"I realized that I needed to put my shyness to the side if I really wanted to help others.”
![Grace Peters Smile Train staff](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/grace-peters.jpg?itok=_sNoVSgK)
Grace Peters: Born With a Purpose
How Smile Train helped Grace go from a girl looking for answers to global cleft hero.
![Mark Lent with medal from Chicago Marathon](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/mark-lent-chicago.jpg?itok=1Di-avsV)
Mark Goes the Extra Smile
When he turned 30, Mark knew he had to turn his life around and get fit. Thanks to Team EMPOWER, his good decision is also changing the lives of children in need around the world.
![Eva Ehlinger at Smile Train office](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/eva-ehlinger-in-smile-train.jpg?itok=fq1_0xIm)
Eva Ehlinger: Small Acts Add Up to Big Smiles
"Knowing the strong emotions I felt when Ethan was born, it was hard to imagine how a family with no access to life-saving surgery would feel. I wanted to help."
![Dr Lawrence headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-03/dr-clayton-lawrence.jpg?itok=KHF5Jx-H)
Team EMPOWER Spotlight: Dr. Clayton Lawrence
We interview Smile Train Team EMPOWER member Dr. Clayton Lawrence.
![Sushila holds the image of herself before cleft surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/sushila-holds-her-before-image.jpg?itok=mzKin1NC)
A Smile Educates
Everyone told Gyana to abandon her daughter when she was born with a cleft; her husband threatened to kill himself if she didn't. Afraid for both their lives, she took the child and fled.
![A mother with her child after her cleft lip and palate surgery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-03/model-of-empowerment-mother-with-child-with-a-cleft-lip-cleft-palate.jpg?itok=6f2lXZDh)
A Model of Empowerment
It's past time to rethink the mission model of cleft care.