CAPE CORAL, Fla. (October 2, 2025) – Family Initiative, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and young adults with autism and their families, proudly announces the appointment of Clifford (Cliff) W. Smith, retired President of the United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades, to its Board of Directors.

Smith retired in 2019 after 26 years of service leading the United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades. During his tenure, he worked alongside volunteers, staff, and donors to raise more than $166 million to improve the quality of life in Southwest Florida. He also spearheaded the design and implementation of innovative programs, including United Way 211, Mission United, We Care, Beesley’s Pawprints, the Hurricane Hotline, and the United Way Houses.

“Cliff is a titan in the nonprofit space; he has built an unmatched legacy in our region for his impact over the last several decades,” said David Brown, President and Co-Founder of Family Initiative. “His leadership, compassion, and proven commitment to strengthening families make him an invaluable addition to our Board of Directors as we continue to grow our impact statewide for the autism community.”

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Smith and his wife, Roxanne, have volunteered for over six years, providing pet therapy with their rescued Golden Retrievers at Family Initiative, Thrive Academy, Valerie’s House, and other local agencies. He has been honored with numerous awards, including Family Initiative’s Believer of the Year Award, the Martin Luther King Keeper of the Dream Award, Gulfshore Life’s Person of the Year Award, and the Career Service Award from United Way of America.

“I am extremely honored to be selected to join the Board of Directors at Family Initiative,” said Smith. “My wife and I along with our pups have been volunteering at this amazing agency for over six years and we are so impressed with the kindness and patience that David, Anjali and all of the staff show every day to the children in their many programs and how their programs are making such a positive impact in the lives of so many families and kids in our community.”

Smith joins a dynamic Board of community leaders dedicated to guiding Family Initiative’s impactful programs, including clinical services, Thrive Academy, autism social skills groups, caregiver education, and child welfare support.