![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.
![Celeste in Smile Train scrubs](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/nurse-celeste-in-scubs.jpg?itok=mrJTGdMl)
A Nurse's Commitment
Nurse Celeste always tried to avoid working with the babies with clefts in her neonatal ward because she felt unable to meet their needs. Then her son was born with a cleft.
Nurse Celeste
Nurse Celeste used to feel so unable to help the babies with clefts that were born in her ward that she avoided them. Then she had a son with a cleft.
![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."
![Christine Smessaert in front of graffiti](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/christine-smessaert-graffiti.jpg?itok=O9IjVYa2)
Christine Smessaert: A Smile is a Connection
Peggy and Katy
![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.
![Bhavana Smile Train YLC member](/sites/default/files/styles/1_column_470_x_305/public/2021-02/bhavana-smiles.jpg?itok=SgknpyWG)
Bhavana Venkataram: The Importance of Comprehensive Cleft Care
It wasn’t until my trip to Mexico that I realized the impact Smile Train has — it was unbelievable.
![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.