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. 

The Courageous Steps Project recently hosted it's 9th Annual Back-To-School Drive on Tuesday August 16th from 10am-5pm. This year's event had one of it's best turnouts yet, with the generosity of many donors including long-time community partners. 

"This year was one of our best years yet in terms of support" said Founder & Chairman/CEO Connor Archer. Archer adds that with the support, we can continue to maintain the level of support that we have done over the years. 

"This year required more donations due to the nature of the economy and it's impacts with the supply chain" added Archer. 

School supplies will be distributed to nearly 2 dozen schools once again the week of August 22nd-26th and will be sorted later this coming week. There will be a last chance collection drive on Tuesday August 16th from 3-7 at Governor's Restaurant in Old Town. Online donations will close on Wednesday August 17th. 

If you are looking for school supplies for the upcoming year, you are encouraged to reach out to your local school.