Q: Please tell us a bit about yourself and your family.
My name is Julie Smith. I grew up in Feasterville. I went to Assumption BVM for grade school, Archbishop Wood for highschool and college at the University of Pittsburgh. I met my husband at college playing guitar and singing in the same band. We have 2 kids, Olivia 12, and Alex 10. We are very involved in the sports life in the area. They both play CYO sports for St. Bedes (basketball and track/XC) and play basketball for Council Rock. My daughter also plays competitive soccer as a goalie for FC Bucks. My husband is also involved in community sports as a coach and is a member of the Bucks County Road Runners.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. Davids New Day
My 9-5 job is being a broker executive for Independence Blue Cross. I have worked there for close to 20 years. They have been great to me over the years, truly like family. The company really takes care of its people and champions their growth. My other job is running a nonprofit called David’s New Day. I created the nonprofit about 10 years ago in memory of my younger brother who passed away from addiction in 2013. When he was struggling, we did not know where to turn and did not have many resources. We found that often times people dealing with addiction get caught in a cycle of dealing with their addiction, rehab, relapse, and often not making it out of the relapse. Unfortunately, my brother got caught in this cycle and passed away after a relapse. Through his journey, we learned that when you are discharged from rehab you are left in a very vulnerable position and need support right away. This support is hard to find though. You may need medication, housing, support meetings, or a group of peers who understand, and often you don’t have some of those vital necessities to start you off on the right foot. At David’s New Day, we address this critical area of need in the post treatment cycle. This could be in the form of providing funds for housing, clothing, toiletries, a new ID, and more. We talk with clinicians and therapists at inpatient rehabilitation centers to help make a plan and figure out their best way forward. We want people to be able to leave rehab with the hope that they can have a future. I am so grateful to be able to keep my brother’s memory alive and serve the community in this way with some amazing people. My aunt is truly my right hand in this, and I could not do this without her. I also have a few board members and my best friend Emily who is my do-er. I give her my vision and she makes it happen for me. I am very grateful for an incredible team!
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
With my job, I love how great my company is with promoting from within. They really encourage you to be the best you can be. I feel very valued there. As far as David’s New Day goes, I love the fact that we get to spread awareness to this mission and hopefully bring people hope in the face of addiction. I also love getting to meet the people that we have helped and see how well and happy they are.
Q: What is a “Must do” for someone visiting our community?
I spend a lot of time outside because of my kid’s sports and my love for running. I would highly recommend people explore Tyler State Park for sure! I would also recommend spending some time exploring the shops and restaurants in Newtown specifically Sycamore and State Street.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Nothing specific comes to mind right now, but I am excited about some things coming up this year. This month I am going to Charleston with some friends, then we are going to Florida with family and friends and also Rehoboth as a family this year. I have been very lucky to get to venture out and explore. When my brother was alive, he had to teach me what “YOLO” meant and now it has become a motto for me. I want to continue to venture out and live life to the fullest.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
For TV I really enjoy some true crime like 20/20 or Dateline. A movie that I really like is Life Itself with Olivia Wilde. I think it is a movie that shows how messy and sad and joyful life can be all at once.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
My mantra for myself is “You are Okay!” I say this to myself a lot. Whether you are going through a hard time, you are tired, you are not feeling like yourself, or whatever may be going on, you are okay! It is a phrase that I feel can really anchor you in the present and help you not get stuck in the past or worry about the future.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Really, I just want to be able to see my kids grow into happy and healthy adults.
Q: What is your favorite band or music genre?
I like alternative/ acoustic rock, and some fun 90’s hip-hop to run to.
Q: If you could choose anyone to have lunch with, who would you choose, and where locally would you meet for lunch?
I have two actually. First, I would say my little brother. I would love to sit down and tell him about everything we have done since his passing. I want to let him know how much we miss him and that he is seen and heard, and we have learned so much from him and what he went through. I am not sure where we would go to eat, but somewhere where he and his son, Russ could reunite. That would be amazing. I would also love to get to take my great-grandmother out. She was the first female taxi driver in Philadelphia. When she was alive, I was not old enough to fully appreciate what that meant and the strength in that. I would love to sit down with her now and talk about her life and the obstacles she overcame to become who she was. We would definitely meet somewhere in Philly where she grew up. I come from a long line of strong women, including my mom, my aunts and my 93-year-old grandmother!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
We will probably still be here in Holland. I hope to be happy, and healthy and continue to help people through David’s New Day.
Q: What is something interesting that even your friends or family may not know about you?
Something that always throws people is that I was in an all-girl punk rock band when I was younger. It is funny now because music was such a huge part of my life back then and now sports have become such a huge part of my life because of my kids. It is not where I expected to end up, but I truly love it and love watching my kids do what they love.
Q: What is your favorite holiday and why?
I am not big on holidays because there is a lot of pressure to make it into something it does not need to be. I personally prefer the entire month of October because it is the month of birthdays for our family. We also have our annual David’s New Day 5K in October at Warminster Community Park. This year our 5K was especially exciting. We raised more money than we ever have before because of our wonderful community. We have a partnership with The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania and they come to the 5K every year. We have been able to develop a grant with them to help anyone who comes in with a need of housing or clothes after rehab. They have been a big supporter of ours. We also have local legislatures and Bucks County DA Matt Weintraub who come to the 5K every year. We are fortunate to have a great support system.
Q: Who inspires you to be your best?
I have to say, my 12-year-old daughter, Liv. We could not be more opposite. She is wise beyond her years and very no-nonsense. She does not deal with drama and is very goal oriented. She is so supportive of her family and friends, never an unkind word, never petty. She is an inspiration to me!
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
The perfume “Be Delicious” because it reminds me of my wedding.
Q: What words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Peace, love, and happiness.
Q: Where can people learn more about your or your business?