Our Volunteers and Their Stories

Dana Davis

Volunteer since 2019

My name is Dana Davis
​
I am married to the love of my life Glenn and have two amazing children Maddie and Brady.

We live in Milford, but I grew up in Baileyville with my Amazing mother and three siblings! My Mom was such a giver and such a selfless lady, we lost her way to early due to cancer. I want to keep her alive in me by helping others in anyway I can! 
I heard about courageous steps by signing up for a race. I’m a preschool teacher who loves to exercise, zumba, cheer, and watch my children play the sports they love! My kids say i talk to much, and I’m embarrassing. I love them with all my heart, they just don’t realize how cool their mom is. 

Jess Francis

Volunteer since 2016

 Jess Francis has worked at Penobscot County Federal Credit Union since 2006, where she is currently the Marketing Manager. She received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Maine in 2011. Jess enjoys spending a great deal of time volunteering in the community; in addition to her most recent acceptance to serve on the Courageous Steps Board she also does volunteer work for Maine Credit Unions Campaign for Ending Hunger, the Special Olympics, Champion the Cure, Junior Achievement, and the Children's Miracle Network. 
When not working, Jess enjoys spending time with her husband, Anthony. The couple resides in Hermon with their two daughters: Natalie and Arabella. She also enjoys traveling, reading, watching horror films, and giving people the benefit of the doubt.

Gary Greene

Volunteer since 2018 (Board Member 2018 - Present)

Gary Greene joined the Courageous Steps volunteering team in early 2018 and is currently volunteering with our Step Forward Initiative. Gary is a Performance Coach at R-N-G Optimal Performance Group, Bangor, ME. He also has a 
BS WVU 1974 Public Relations/Corporate Communication. Gary is also a certified BrainSpotting Practitioner, and Certified Life Coach.

Robyn Greene

Volunteer since 2018

Robyn Greene joined the Courageous Steps volunteering team in early 2018 and is currently helping with our Step Forward Initiative. Robyn specifically coordinates our Step Forward Parent/Child Activity Nights that happen monthly. Robyn is a clinician with twenty years of experience working with children and families currently working as school clinician for SAU 31.  She loves working with Courageous Steps to provide opportunities for children to turn their dreams into reality. 

Jess Hewes

Volunteer Since 2017

Jess Hewes joined The Courageous Steps Project fundraising team in August of 2017. She loves volunteering with Courageous Steps and seeing the smiles of everyone helping each other and enjoying life.  During the week, She is a care delivery analyst at Beacon Health, providing innovation in healthcare. And as much as possible, on the weekends she is enjoying Madagascal pond with her husband, son, and black lab. ​

Jay Martin

Volunteer since 2016 (Board Chair from 2016-2019)

Jay is one of five sons raised in Bangor by parents Ann and J. Normand Martin. After graduating from John Bapst High School, Jay worked as a restaurant manager throughout his college years. Upon receiving his BA English degree at the University of Maine, he assisted in franchising and promoting the Coffee News publication across the U.S., then served as Associate Editor for the International Solid State Circuits Society. He served as the chief grant writer, fundraiser, and marketing specialist for Washington Hancock Community Agency and United Cerebral Palsy of Maine. 

In 2011, Jay accepted an appointment to serve Maine’s Secretary of State as the state’s first Small Business Advocate. In Augusta, Jay assisted small businesses across the state with state regulatory concerns, with a focus on resolving enforcement actions. Since 1995, Jay has served a variety of businesses through his consulting service, Write It Right – Profitable Proposals and Promotions. 
Jay served for years as on-site fundraising chairperson for the American Folk Festival. As a neighbor of Connor Archer’s family for 20 years, he has enjoyed the privilege of seeing Connor and his wonderful siblings grow into capable, compassionate and talented people. Involved with Courageous Steps since its beginning, he is honored to play a role in helping to fulfill its mission and vision.

Chip McInnis

Volunteer since 2017 (Board Member 2017-2019)

I was born in Milo, Maine in 1971.  Soon after, my family moved to Old Town Where I grew up.  I graduated from Old Town High in 1989 and went on to attend the University of Maine.  I earned an associates degree in Legal Technology and later a bachelors degree in Justice Studies.

I have worked in corrections, was a deputy sheriff, and a reserve police officer.  I presently am the Police Services Supervisor at the University of Maine Police Department.  (18 years now); where I am also a member of the bias response team.

In 1999 I married my wife, Jaime.  We presently live at Pushaw Lake in Old Town.  Our Son, Dylan was the love of our lives.  He lived life to the fullest.  He brought joy and meaning to my life.  Dyl was born in 2002.  A few short years later he was diagnosed with high functioning autism.  My wife and I advocated for him beyond the basic needs.  He was able to overcome every obstacle presented to him.  With interventions he was able to "Mainstream" and was successful in all that he did.  His academic progress was simply put, "incredible".  I am in awe of his abilities to understand certain things most adults would struggle with.  Dyl was amazingly smart with technology and far exceeded his expectations placed upon him.  This carried over to his love of hockey.  While most kids start at such a young age, Dyl began his hockey career later than most but quickly gained the skill to "hold his own" out there on the ice.  He was so passionate about the game and sportsmanship alike.  He went to many hockey camps, and played on many teams.  All along, just wanting to be a friend and teammate. 

After Dylan passed away in 2016, I became more focused on advocacy and became certified through the University of Missouri as an ADA Coordinator. I am also a certified Title IX intermediate investigator.  I am passionate about equal opportunities.

I am honored to have served as a member for the board of directors for The Courageous Steps Project, and I am glad to continue to stay involved in other events and committees.  So many incredible opportunities are created by the organization and the efforts coordinated by Connor are a tremendous gift to our communities.

Dave Roderick

Volunteer since 2017

Dave Roderick joined The Courageous Steps Project team in early 2017, and currently lives in Old Town with his wife, Tina, and son, Davey.  He joined Courageous Steps to meet more people in the greater Old Town Area while helping out with a great cause.  Outside of Courageous Steps Dave works for Volunteers of America as an Assistant Program Manager and he is involved with his church, United Baptist Church in Old Town, and the Vice President of non-profit ministry called Christian Revelation.