T. Dwayne Smith learned the power of faith, love, forgiveness, perseverance, and commitment after the death of his parents and growing up in the West Side streets of Chicago as a young boy. 

While attending college at Eastern Illinois University, he gave his life to Christ. Later on, he accepted his call into ministry under the leadership of Dr. Bill Winston, senior pastor at Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park, Illinois. As a member of Living Word Christian Center, Dwayne continued to cultivate his faith and understanding of God as he completed both the Living Word Bible Training School and Joseph Business School and Entrepreneurship Program while simultaneously pursuing his second master’s degree in School and Mental Health Counseling.

Dwayne Smith met his amazing wife, Tannita Smith, and together they  established Teen-Train, Inc., which is a Not-For-Profit, faith-based 501(c)(3) organization that focuses on helping inner-city and suburban youth who are at risk.

His passion for helping youth and families led to the development of Freedom Counseling Services, LLC, which offers Christian Clinical Counseling, Life Coaching, and Mental Health Services to strengthen and facilitate healing and restoration to families and communities for Christ. Dwayne is a published author, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), National Certified Counselor (NCC), Illinois State Licensed School Counselor (Type 73 and PEL), Domestic Violence Certified Counselor, Trauma & Family Therapist, and member of the following professional organizations:  

• Illinois Counseling Association (ICA) 

• Illinois Mental Health Counseling Association (IMHCA)  

• Illinois Association of Couple and Family Counselors (IACFC)