Jeremiah’s Promise to help struggling students
Jacob and Vanessa Markel Smith were initially left feeling hopeless, filled with questions, and searching for more after their son, Kylan, was diagnosed with Level 3 autism. This lifechanging diagnosis ultimately inspired the couple to make a promise or more directly created one: Jeremiah’s Promise.
Jeremiah’s Promise Neurodevelopmental Learning Center is a nonprofit school and ministry dedicated to serving families with loved ones struggling with brain-based and behavioral challenges. Located in Waycross, the center serves individuals from across the region, including Pierce County.
The Smiths, originally from Pierce County, are the proud parents of two sons, Jayden and Kylan. Kylan received his autism diagnosis at the age of 2, which set the family on a path of research and therapy.
“Although Kylan made progress, we felt he had untapped potential for improvement and so we sought out additional options,” said Smith.
The Smiths’ journey is increasingly common today. In the surrounding area, 1 in 3 children have been diagnosed with a disability, according to the National Center of Educational Statistics. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 1 in 36 children nationwide is diagnosed with autism, reflecting a 200% increase since 2000. These rising numbers underscore the urgent need for specialized care and support.
Through their faith and determination, the Smiths discovered Jacob’s Ladder Neurodevelopmental School and Therapy Center in Roswell. Jacob’s Ladder is an accredited school that utilizes the patent pending, Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care™ (IWBMC) to treat individuals with neurobiological challenges. This center has helped over 4,000 individuals and their families.
The Smiths found inspiration at Jacob’s Ladder and decided to bring this unique model of care to their own community in a Christian environment. This decision led to the founding of Jeremiah’s Promise.
“We believe breakthroughs are possible when individuals receive the appropriate level of care in a unique and loving environment,” said Smith.
At the heart of their philosophy is the belief that no child is defined by multiple diagnoses or even a single profound diagnosis. Smith explains that it’s all about how the brain and central nervous system function, how they process, store and retrieve information. “This impacts a person’s physical, emotional, and cognitive wellbeing. It’s about understanding the whole person. Once you grasp that, you can develop a strategic approach to address each aspect effectively.”
Smith also emphasizes that Jeremiah’s Promise is more than just a school— it’s a ministry.
“In the Bible, Jesus teaches us to love and serve others. That’s the mission at Jeremiah’s Promise,” she says.
Jeremiah’s Promise serves families navigating some of life’s most difficult challenges. While many families are excited about back-to-school activities and sports, others face heavier burdens, such as managing medical and therapeutic care, financial strain, social isolation, educational challenges and emotional stress. Some grapple with the question of what will happen to their child when they are no longer able to care for them.
“Through God’s divine guidance, we seek to restore hope and renew strength in their lives,” Smith shared.
Jeremiah’s Promise follows the scientifically proven principle of neuroplasticity— the brain’s ability to change and adapt based on stimulation and frequency. The center serves individuals from infancy through adulthood, regardless of diagnosis, level of functioning, or age.
“We serve individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, emotional, behavioral and relational challenges, brain injuries, genetic syndromes, intellectual and developmental delays, learning differences and trauma-related disorders. We even welcome those who may not have an official diagnosis but are struggling,” Smith shared.
The staff at Jeremiah’s Promise are fully trained and certified in the IWBMC, developed by Amy O’Dell, founder of Jacob’s Ladder, and her team of professionals. They also utilize a comprehensive digital platform to assess students, design individualized programs, and implement therapeutic interventions. This platform includes hundreds of metrics and thousands of interventions designed to create tailored development plans.
“Utilizing that information, we capitalize on those strengths to enable progress in a child’s development in a safe and positive environment,” said Smith.
Jeremiah’s Promise is a faith-based center built around the belief that “Children are a heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3).
Smith emphasized their mission as parents and caregivers to love, cherish, teach and strengthen their children, especially those with special needs.
“Having children with special needs can be incredibly challenging, but it is only through God’s gifts of faith, hope and love that we can succeed. Those three pillars are the foundation for all we do here at Jeremiah’s Promise,” Smith said.
Smith expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve the community, offering hope and transformation for families facing similar challenges.
Jeremiah’s Promise invites the community to a “Come and See” event, open to the public.
“We welcome everyone to join us for an evening of praise and worship as we dedicate our school and ministry to God, thanking Him for His many blessings and all that is yet to come,” Smith said. “Together, we will pray for our community and for families facing brain-based and behavioral challenges. We welcome you at 6:30 p.m. October 3, at 102 Linden Dr., Waycross, GA.”
For information about Jeremiah’s Promise, they can be contacted by phone at (912) 782-0698, by email at info@jeremiahspromisecenter. com, or on their Facebook page.
The center is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
