As lived experience and history will attest, simply providing services and expecting people to overcome the impact of years of systemic oppression and trauma is a narrow, inaccurate view of reality for thousands of people confronting barriers in life. True support is rooted in compassion, suspends judgment, is trauma-informed, and focuses on building an infrastructure of support around people that is responsive and holistic–in short, a “community.” Cassandra Smith’s story is a powerful testament to the impact a community can have in uplifting, empowering, and changing lives for the better. By focusing on the person, rather than simply the services provided to them, we can build a system for success that is authentically rooted in the lived realities of those in need.