About Bill and Gen Smethers

Bill, or "Mr. S" as he is fondly referred too, will celebrate thirty six years of service to young people in this valley this coming year (2005) as the Executive Director of Youth Focus. The unique part of this story is that he has done so without any financial remuneration or compensation for his time and devotion to young people over these many years. And what is even more inspiring is that he has never asked nor sought recognition for what he and his family have done in impacting and touching young people in such a significant way.

In fact many young people give testimony that the best years of their youth were spent participating in Youth Focus programs. They also give testimony that as a result of their involvement their lives were changed in a positive way equipping and strengthening them for future endeavors and adult pursuits, which have had life long impacts.

His effectiveness includes the presentation of some 500 youth events and programs serving more than 150,000 plus youth in our community and state over the past three plus decades. He has provided the vision for the organization that has fostered meaningful programming which has successfully allowed young people to achieve their greatest academic and personal potential with scholarship rewards in excess of $900,000.

He has been responsible for writing and creating...

• The Santa Clara County Salute To Youth/Youth Hall of Fame
• The California State Youth Accolades Scholarship Competition
• The California State Junior and Teen Accolades Scholarship Program
• The Santa Clara County Youth Accolades Scholarship Program
• The Western Regional/California State Talent and Performing Arts Competition
• California State Performing Arts Competition
• The Greater Bay Area Talent and Performing Arts Competition
• Southern California Talent and Performing Arts Competition
• Oregon State Talent and Performing Arts Competition
• T.A.D.D. Theater Arts Program
• Festival of Education Classroom Enhancement Program

Bill has extensive background in script writing as well and creating original works including Musical Director/Producer from 1977 to present for the youth Entertainment Division of the Santa Clara County Fair where he produced and directed on average five shows each year that are presented during the run of the Santa Clara County Fair. The shows have been the recipient of the prestigious WFA Blue Ribbon Award and recognized by the Division of Fairs and Expositions-State of California as an award winning youth performance program.

Mr. S has always had a full-time job that has been more than demanding and yet he has never ever lost his passion and drive to touch the lives of young people he has worked with over the years. People often ask, "How does he have the time to give of himself in such an immeasurable way?" He responds by saying some people bowl, and some people golf and some people do a number of wonderful recreational pass times for relaxation. He has always said, he finds his fulfillment and relaxation in working and investing in the lives of young people and so it has been true for the past thirty-five plus years.

His dedication and passion are so strong that he and his wife converted 400 square feet of their home into a professional office for Youth Focus so that the organization would not have to incur rental costs thus saving money and providing more resources for the youth of our community and state.

Bill and Gen are truly unsung heroes in our community who have dedicated much of their adult life to serving and mentoring youth. They are individuals who have made an extraordinary contribution of time, energy, and love devoted toward serving the youth and citizenry of our county. As a result of their efforts and contribution, the young people of our community and the citizenry as a whole enjoy a more meaningful and rewarding life.