Milford, ME — The Courageous Steps Project’s Green House Village Preschool is excited to announce the launching of the Alumni Give40 campaign to grow the Green House programming. In addition, the program this year celebrates an incredible milestone of 40 years since its’ opening in 1983.
The Give40 campaign will specifically build the Green House Village Alumni Fund to support future scholarship programs, educational enrichment opportunities for students inside and outside of school, and support future expansion of programming.
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“Our campaign is centered around future expansion and growth” says founder & Chairman/CEO Connor J. Archer. Archer says that steps have already been taken to address future upgrades in equipment and facilities including the addition of new technology, learning equipment, and systems that will enable our staff to continue supporting our children/students at the highest level.

The campaign officially has launched and runs through the end of this year. Throughout the year, the showcasing of stories will take place to highlight some of the families and individuals who have been impacted by the great work of the Green House over the years. “Our dedication and commitment to sharing the stories of our Alumni and those who have been touched by the program is also at the forefront of this campaign” added Archer.
You can donate online via the program’s website: https://give.thecourageousstepsproject.org/campaign/green-house-alumni-give-40-campaign/c437746. To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, please contact give40@thecourageousstepsproject.org.

The Courageous Steps Project is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that strives to to help children and young adults with various abilities and challenges all across the Eastern Maine region. If you are interested in getting involved in our efforts, please email founder & Chairman/CEO Connor Archer at: connor@thecourageousstepsproject.org.

The Courageous Steps Project recently received a gift of $8,000 from Versant Power to support the Green House Village Preschool's Technology and Equipment expansion project. 

This is just the latest contribution that has come in to support the largest program under the organization. Founder & Chairman/CEO Connor Archer wants so sincerely thank the Versant Power team for their generosity and support. 

The Courageous Steps Project recently was awarded a $7500 grant from the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation to support the upgrade of technology and equipment at the Green House Village Preschool. This will have a major impact on our delivery of programming for the future!
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On Wednesday December 14th, our Founder & Chairman/CEO Connor Archer and board treasurer Steve Villett were presented with the award with BSB team members at the Bangor Savings Bank headquarters at the Bangor Waterfront.
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We are so appreciative of the continued support by many. It's been an exciting time for our organization and we cannot be more thankful for the ongoing support!

On Monday December 5th, The Courageous Steps Project received a very generous gift of over $15,000 from 100 Neighbors Who Care, to support our preschool and community outreach programs all over the Eastern Maine region.

We are truly thankful for this amazing gift….it will have a lasting impact on our mission and vision into 2023! 
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To learn more about this great organization, visit: https://100neighbors.org.

Recently, we had the pleasure of partnering with Marriott TownPlace Suites and Bangor Savings Bank to support Children's Miracle Network through their Floats 4 Kids event. Earlier this month, our Green House Village Preschool children (and their families) got these delicious treats to kickoff the school year. And recently, our founder & Chairman/CEO Connor Archer joined the staff at Bangor Savings Bank in Old Town to grab delicious treats of their own.
Since 1983, Marriott International has been serving up miracles for kids and their families who receive care at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in the United States and Canada, including Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.
Employees and guests raise and donate these funds through various events, including a summertime favorite, root beer floats. Why root beer floats? Marriott’s “roots” started when JW and Alice Marriott opened a Hot Shoppe in 1927.
We are pleased to have great community partners to do these activities/events giving back to kids!

The Courageous Steps Project, after a 2 year hiatus, held its' Annual Dinner to recognize the following individuals for their contributions to The Courageous Steps Project and its' programs. It was a great evening to reconvene and celebrate our accomplishments, while looking forward to the promising future we have in store. Thank you to Machias Savings Bank for sponsoring our event and Morgan Hill Event Center for hosting. Congratulations to the following award recipients:

The Courageous Steps Project received a matching grant from the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development to support the equipment and technology upgrades at the Green House Village Preschool and throughout the Courageous Steps Project.

The total matching grant amount is $13,900. Matching funds are needed to finish the project. This is the first time that Courageous Steps has received a grant through the USDA. 

"We are so pleased to move forward with this project that has been a long time coming" said founder & Chairman/CEO Connor J. Archer. Archer adds that the project has been in the planning stages for over a year now, and this grant will be a huge step towards starting the project. 

Through this grant, the Green House Village Preschool will have updated systems and equipment to respond to more needs based on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides the technology upgrades which will include laptops and tablets, new furniture will be added, and outside equipment will also be incorporated. Ensuring that each child and staff member have access to quality equipment is a huge priority for Archer. 

These earmarked funds do require matching funds to start the project, which we hope to have in place by the end of the year. 

"We are looking to raise the remaining $25,819 to start this project. We are confident that we will be able to begin the project by late 2022, early 2023" adds Archer. 

If you are interested in contributing, please email Connor Archer at: connor@thecourageousstepsproject.org. Be on the lookout for a giving campaign page as well. That will be made available within the next couple of weeks. 

An annual tradition has continued to grow and impact schools all over Eastern Maine. For the 9th year, the Courageous Steps Project donated school supplies to 27 schools all over Eastern Maine. From Howland to Bucksport, students will benefit from our donations for the upcoming school year. 

"It is important that students have all the necessary tools to succeed for the upcoming school year...no one should have to choose between food and school supplies" said founder & Chairman/CEO Connor J. Archer. 

Courageous Steps received several donations and raised over $2,000 to support this year's efforts. Through the generosity of many, students all over the region will benefit from this annual program. 

"It truly takes a village to make this all happen each and every year. Thank you to our volunteers, supporters, and partners for your contributions and generosity to make our 9th annual campaign the best yet" added Archer. 

Next year marks the 10th annual event. Archer says that there are plans to make next year's campaign bigger and better than ever. 

For more information on how you can get involved with this annual campaign, you can visit the back-to-school drive section of our website: ​http://www.thecourageousstepsproject.org/back-to-school-drive.html

The Courageous Steps Project is the proud recipient of a recent grant through the Walmart Foundation in Houlton for the growth and expansion of the Operation Find Me initiative into the Northern region of the state. 

The grant will be used to help create resource maps and materials for those schools and engage with the communities in that region in the coming months. 

Operation Find Me is a wandering prevention initiative through our organization that was established in 2019 to support children, parents, and communities in establishing resources to be more aware of hazards such as swimming pools, busy roadways, and forested areas that could pose a danger for children and young adults with various abilities and challenges.