2015
A Year In Review
January
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• Many decisions were being made about in what direction that the Courageous Steps Project should go. The Courageous Steps Project continued discussions on finding new ways to raise money for local programs that help young children with challenges.
• Courageous Steps Project Scholarship Fund is finalized, and released into the public, and on website (www.thecourageousstepsproject.org). FebruaryThe Courageous Steps Project founder, Connor Archer, began his sponsorship campaign for Courageous Steps 2015 by going around to businesses that he thought would support the 2nd annual Courageous Steps Fundraiser
March• Founder Connor Archer launched the Courageous Steps One Word Project/Campaign. Archer, plans on going around to people in the Old Town community including staff, students, business owners, and community members, in the area. The purpose of the project is to educate people about how powerful words can be, and how together, we bring something unique to share with the community.
• Archer began his sponsorship campaign for Courageous Steps 2015 asking local businesses to sponsor his 2nd annual Courageous Steps fundraiser. April• Archer continues his sponsorship campaign for the 2nd annual Courageous Steps fundraiser, along with planning the fundraiser itself.
• The Courageous Steps Project continues One Word Project through Mid April, but takes break to focus on 2nd annual Courageous Steps fundraiser. • The Courageous Steps Project on Thursday April 30th, 2015, ends submission of applications for scholarship fund. Three applicants applied. May• Archer wraps up Courageous Steps 2015 fundraiser planning stages, along with wrapping up sponsors for this year's fundraiser.
• The Bangor Daily News's Ernie Clarke, releases a Courageous Steps Article: "Fundraiser to help Old Town teen share story of coping with Autism" • WABI TV5 Morning News Anchor Joy Hollowell interviews founder Connor Archer about the Courageous Steps Project endeavors, along with information about the fundraiser • WVII/Fox Bangor's Morning Anchor Laura Smith interviews Connor Archer about the 2nd annual Courageous Steps fundraiser, along with upcoming fundraisers this summer. • On Sunday May 17th, the Courageous Steps Project puts on the 2nd annual Courageous Steps fundraiser at Old Town High School. That event raised over $6,000 for local programs that help young children with challenges, and for Courageous Steps endeavors. Thank you again to all businesses for sponsoring! • WABI TV5 News's John Krinjak interviews Connor Archer about the 2nd annual Courageous Steps fundraiser: "Old Town junior fights Autism with Courageous Steps" • Courageous Steps Scholarship fund released it's first recipients of the scholarship. Three seniors would receive the scholarship on Thursday June 11th, 2015 at Old Town High School's Recognition Night. June• Archer on Thursday June 11th, gave out $900 in scholarships to three seniors at Old Town High School during their recognition night. Each senior received $300 each to go towards their college tuition.
• On Friday June 12th, Archer gave away $3,000 to two local organizations that help young children with challenges. The Green House Nursery School again received $2,000 for their program, and the RSU #34 Special Education Department received $1,000 for their program. • On Saturday June 13th, Archer asked for plant donations once again, for the Green House gardens, asking for whatever they could provide. Many donated, more plans, than he was expecting. He would like to thank Bagley's Green House and EverMay Nursery, both located in Orono. • Archer had pictures taken with sponsorship banners from the 2nd annual Courageous Steps fundraiser, so he could put those on his website, and on the thank you cards, as a way to thank the sponsors for making his event such a success. July• Archer presented the Green House Nursery School Technology Expansion Project. He met with staff about the expansion project, and he presented some options for the school. The decision was to go with one iPad, and then see if theirs enough funding for another iPad!
• On Wednesday July 15th, the Courageous Steps Project purchased it's first iPad for part 1, of the Green House technology expansion project. The iPad contained 128GB of memory, and the whole package provides a protective screen, hard cover case, and carrying case for the iPad itself. The plan also comes with a 3 year protection plan covering accidentals, malfunctions, and other stuff. • On Thursday July 20th, the Courageous Steps Project received a $200.00 donation from People's United Bank to go towards Courageous Steps Project endeavors. • On Tuesday July 21st, 2015, the Courageous Steps Project hosted it's first annual Courageous Steps Benefit Dinner at the Old Town Governor's Restaurant from 4pm to 8pm. That fundraiser raised $550.40 for Courageous Steps endeavors. • On Friday July 24th, the Courageous Steps Project purchased a second iPad with 16GB, for the Green House Nursery School Technology Expansion Project, as a surprise for the school. This was going to be part 2 of the expansion project, but it will be morphed into part 1. • On Wednesday July 29th, the Courageous Steps Project gives iPads with cases, speaker system, and apps gift card to the Green House Nursery School. • On Thursday July 30th, the Courageous Steps Project hosted it's 2nd annual Courageous Steps Back to School Drive to benefit 12 schools in the communities of Old Town, Orono, Milford, Veazie, Bradley, Alton, and Greenbush. 4 huge boxes of supplies were filled and nearly $400 was donated. August• On August 5th, 2015, The Courageous Steps Project receives a generous donation from Camden National Bank of $100, to go towards Courageous Steps endeavors. • On August 10th, 2015, The United Baptist Church of Old Town, gives the Courageous Steps Project founder a generous donation of $400 to go towards buying more school supplies for the back to school drive. • The Courageous Steps Project starts new partnership with the Coles Land Transportation Museum on Saturday August 15th, 2015. • Supplies from the 2nd annual Courageous Steps Back to School drive are being sorted on Sunday August 16th, to be distributed to 12 area schools. Below is a picture of the supplies being laid out, to be distributed to several boxes to go to several schools. • On Wednesday August 26th, the Courageous Steps Project handed a check of $500 to the Veazie Community School's principal Matthew Cyr. The donation will go towards their Special Education Department. • On Thursday August 27th, founder Connor Archer speaks to the RSU #26 staff on their opening day, about the Courageous Steps Project, along with his challenges throughout his life. • Also on Thursday August 27th, the Courageous Steps One Word Project was shown to RSU #34 staff. The eight minute video is now on our website under the Courageous Steps "One Word" Project webpage. SeptemberOn Monday September 14th, Founder Connor Archer speaks to the Adaptive PE class at Husson University about his story, and how Adaptive Physical Education helped him become a competitive athlete.
On Sunday September 20th, 2015, the Courageous Steps Project announced it's official date, and rain date, for the 3rd annual Courageous Steps Walk-Run fundraiser. That will take place on Sunday May 22nd, 2016, and the rain date is Sunday May 29th, 2016. OctoberOn Tuesday October 6th, the Courageous Steps Project website receives new facelift to attract more visitors to website, and to donate to the Courageous Steps Project.
On Saturday October 11th, Courageous Steps Project releases the new 'Step System for Businesses', which is aiming to push businesses to donate more to the Courageous Steps Project. On Friday October 16th, 2015, founder Connor Archer, was selected as WLBZ2 & WCSH6's December and January Teens Who Care winner. His interview took place in November. NovemberOn Monday November 9th, founder Connor Archer spoke to Orono Middle School students about his journey, as an individual living with Autism, thanking his family, and his community for helping him so many years. After he shared his journey, he shared the 'One Word' production, and gave the students a challenge to come up with their own word.
On Friday November 13th, the Courageous Steps Project released it's second phase plans, as part of the Green House Nursery School Technology Expansion Project. This includes a projector, and accessories that go with the projector.
On Monday November 23rd, the Association for Science in Autism Treatment, released it's fall 2015 issue of the SIAT (Science in Autism Treatment). In this issue, Franco Pastro, a ASAT Board Member, interviewed Connor Archer from The Courageous Steps Project, and his mother Jessica Archer, on his journey, as an individual living with Autism, along with the project in general. You can read the interview on pages 28-33 of the issue. On Wednesday November 25th, the Courageous Steps Project founder Connor Archer, visited students and staff at the Veazie Community School, as he sent a strong message to the school, as they begin their Thanksgiving vacations. Along with the message sent, and the 'One Word' video, Archer kicked off the Eastern Maine 'One Word' Challenge, as part of the Courageous Steps 'One Word' Project, by challenging the Veazie Community School as the first school to participate. Principal Matthew Cyr accepted the challenge, and will have the video to us by the time we go on Holiday Break. DecemberOn December 1st 2015, Orono Middle School principal Jeff Paul accepted founder Connor Archer's challenge to create a 'One Word' video. The timeline of this video will begin after the holiday break, and will take the first part of the year to complete.
On Saturday December 12th, 2015, the Courageous Steps Project donated 3 bags of winter gear to the Winter Warmth Drive, hosted by Old Town High School's National Honors' Society & Student Council. The winter gear included coats, hats, gloves, mittens, and boots, for elementary students in RSU #34. It sparked a new idea for Archer to start next holiday season.
On Tuesday December 22nd, founder Connor Archer received the Veazie Community School's 'One Word' challenge video. Veazie is the first one to complete this challenge. The video is on the Courageous Steps 'One Word' page under Eastern Maine 'One Word' Challenge.
We would like to wish all of you, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year, from the Courageous Steps Project.
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Connor Archer is interviewed on WABI TV5 Morning News by anchor Joy Hollowell on The Courageous Steps Project
Founder Connor Archer is interviewed by WVII/Fox Bangor Morning Anchor Laura Smith on the 2nd Annual Courageous Steps fundraiser
The Courageous Steps Project hosts the 2nd Annual Courageous Steps fundraiser on Sunday May 17th at Old Town High School to raise money for local programs that help young children with challenges
Picture from WABI TV5 Interview with John Krinjak
First Courageous Steps Scholarship Fund recipients receiving scholarships awarded to them on Thursday June 11th, 2015
RSU #34 Special Education Director Kimm Kenniston holding up check for $1,000 donated from Archer's Courageous Steps Project
Archer receiving donated plants from Bagley's Green House in Orono, ME!
Archer standing with his sponsorship banners for thank you cards, and promotion of project on website!
Archer presents Green House Nursery School Technology Expansion Project to staff
Archer stands in front of Old Town Governor's sign, for first annual benefit dinner that day from 4pm to 8pm
Archer sits with Green House director and classroom teacher as they receive their iPads as part of the first phase of the Green House Nursery School Technology Expansion Project
Back to School Drive raises nearly $400, and collects 4 huge boxes of supplies
Archer stands with Camden National Bank manager Taylor Black, as she presents a check of $100 to the Courageous Steps Project
United Baptist Church donates $400 to help with the Courageous Steps Back to School Drive cause.
All supplies laid out to be sorted in boxes to give to 12 local area schools.
Founder Connor Archer presenting $500 check to Veazie Community School Principal Matthew Cyr for Special Education Department.
Archer shares journey with RSU #26 staff on Thursday August 27th at Orono High School.
Archer shares his story to a Husson University Adaptive PE class
Archer is interviewed for his Teens Who Care profile talking about the Courageous Steps Project, and his journey.
Archer speaks to Orono Middle School students and staff about his journey, and shares One Word with the students
Archer stands with Veazie Community School principal Matthew Cyr on Wednesday November 25th, as Cyr accepts challenge of 'One Word'.
OMS principal Jeff Paul accepts 'One Word' Challenge 12-1-15
Founder Connor Archer & NHS president Derek Haas shake hands, as Archer hands Haas 3 bags donated by the project 12-12-15
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