BRIDGEPORT, CT- Rachel Smith has a passion for service. Her full-time job is youth services director at Hall Neighborhood House in Bridgeport, CT, although for her, it’s more than a job. She grew up in the projects of Bridgeport and is now working there and giving back to the community that gave so much to her.

Hall Neighborhood House’s mission is, “To provide services that will educate, enrich and empower the lives of residents of all ages of the East Side of Bridgeport and the surrounding community,” and Smith is the epitome of that.

She has worked with underserved children at Hall on a daily basis on and off the tennis court since 2000 and has been in the youth development field for 25 years.

“I cannot run away from service. I believe the more you put in the more you get out,” Smith said.

In addition to her day to day, Smith teaches 10 and Under tennis at Hall on Saturdays, serves as a board member for USTA Connecticut as well as USA Lacrosse CT and Bridge Academy High School. She volunteers at the Salvation Army, as a Red Cross instructor and is a member of Love146 in New Haven.

She has volunteered at the CT Open, the CT Open’s Free Lesson featuring Sloane Stephens and various other tennis events in the Greater Bridgeport and New Haven communities.

Currently, she is training for the New York City Marathon on November 5, her first marathon. She is representing team Dylan’s Wings of Change and is running on behalf of Sandy Hook’s Promise.  

Thanks Rachel for your continued service!