James L. Smith Jr. is the recently retired Director of Programs at the Center for Community Resources (CCR) in Butler, Pennsylvania. While at CCR, Jim was an active participant on the BCF Executive Board, serving as the Fiduciary until his retirement in October 2021. Jim came to CCR in February 2017 with a strong mental health and family counseling background having worked for 12 years as the Program Director for Family Therapy and later as the Director of Clinical Services at Glade Run Lutheran Services in Beaver and Butler Counties. It was through Glade Run and his involvement with the families of the Butler community that he first came to be an active participant in the Butler Collaborative for Families. Prior to his counseling practice, Jim served 5 different Presbyterian congregations in 3 states as a pastor and family counselor.

​

A major contributing factor that impacted Jim’s decision to make the career transition to community service with CCR was his belief in and commitment to their statement of mission: “To make a positive difference in everyday lives by connecting people to a network of supports and services essential for actively learning, working, and living in the community”. In his new role as the Coordinator of the BCF, he will have the opportunity to continue his commitment to this mission.

Jim holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in English with a concentration in writing from Florida State University. He also holds a Master of Divinity degree from the Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS as well as a Certification in Structural Family Therapy from the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in Pittsburgh. He has been married to his wife Nancy for almost 44 years, and they are the parents of 4 adult children and have 12 grandchildren.

​

In his free time, Jim enjoys sports and has made fitness an important part of his lifestyle. In addition, he is active in local social organizations and provides marriage and family therapy services to individuals & families in his local church.