Recently, founder Connor Archer, was interviewed for his Teens Who Care profile, an award that he received from WLBZ2 & WCSH6. We aren't sure when the video will air, but when it does, we will let you know. Just incase you want to see it now, we've uploaded it onto this post. Video courtesy of WLBZ2 & WCSH6
The Courageous Steps Project is planning it's 2nd benefit dinner for late February into early March of 2016. We will once again, be hosting this benefit dinner at the Old Town Governor's Restaurant, as we once again, ask the community to come out, grab a bite to eat, and support the Courageous Steps Project. We will also have a table in the front as we will be selling merchandise, which will go towards Courageous Steps endeavors. We are still in the early stages of planning this fundraiser, so please check back with us on the finalized date, and time of the fundraiser. If you have any questions, please email Connor Archer at: [email protected]. We should have more information by the beginning of 2016 on when this dinner will be occurring. The Courageous Steps Project after almost 2 years, is proud to have made a difference in our communities. It is because of the support of others in our communities, that we are able to support programs that help other young children with challenges. "I'm certainly thankful for all the support that i've gotten, in order to build the Courageous Steps Project" says founder Connor Archer. "I couldn't of done it without the community support behind me, in order to make Courageous Steps what it has evolved into today" added Archer. As a project, we would like to say THANK YOU, to everyone who has supported the organization in the past two years, and we hope that you continue to support our causes, as they have made a difference in so many lives. On Wednesday November 25th, 2015, the Courageous Steps Project founder Connor Archer, sent a powerful thanksgiving message to students and staff at the Veazie Community School. This is one of many speaking engagements Archer has done in the past couple months. Like every engagement, the theme of it is different in ways. This engagement was no exception, as Archer challenged students and staff at the school, to choose a word that describes them, and then videotape them saying the word, as he debuted the Eastern Maine 'One Word' Challenge, as part of the Courageous Steps 'One Word' Project. Principal Matthew Cyr, added his own personal experiences working with Archer through the years, and shared "I think it is fitting that when he comes back to visit, that he gives me a challenge. Now I have homework." He continues on saying he will make it a gift from the Veazie Community School, and will include grades Pre-K through 8th grade. "One Word is being taken into an entirely new direction, and it will impact the Courageous Steps Project in a region and eventually statewide way". As of right now, Cyr will be sending the school's 'One Word' production by the start of the Holiday break. Please check back on our website, for this video when it is released, and follow us on Facebook. If you haven't yet, please search the Courageous Steps Project on Facebook. Not only did Archer present the school with a challenge, he also shared his story in a new twist, and sent the kids home with a challenge to say thank you to their teachers, peers, and parents, for their support. Cyr added more to what Archer later on. In December, Archer plans on visiting more schools in Eastern Maine to present the challenge. "I hope all schools in Eastern Maine get involved. This is a great opportunity for all of the community to get involved, and send a powerful message to other parts of the state." You can view the full presentation on our videos webpage on our website at any time. Recently, the Association for Science in Autism Treatment, released the Science in Autism Treatment fall 2015 issue. In this issue, Franca Pastro explored the Courageous Steps Project, and the story behind Connor Archer. She also interviewed Jessica Archer, Connor's mom, about his challenges, and the project.
We've attached a copy of the article, for you to read.. If you turn to pages 28-33, you will find the full interview. Read Interview Here! As the holiday season begins, the Courageous Steps Project is finishing up a strong 2nd year full of projects, fundraising, and surprises. Before the end of 2015, we have some phases at we will be completing, and starting. During the week of Thanksgiving, the Courageous Steps Project will be purchasing a projector, adapter, and accessories that will go with the projector, as part of phase 2 of the Green House Nursery School Technology Expansion Project. We already purchased the keyboards for the iPads, as that was part of the 2nd phase. We also are working on beginning our second phase of the Courageous Steps 'One Word' Project. This phase will go through the entire year of 2016. Please read more about our 'One Word' second phase on the Courageous Steps 'One Word' Project page. On December 1st, Connor Archer's promo on the Courageous Steps Project through WLBZ2/WCSH6 will air on commercials starting on Tuesday December 1st, through January 31st, 2016. This is another way to spread the Courageous Steps Project, into other areas of Maine, and parts of New Hampshire. Besides that, the Courageous Steps Project, will be preparing for the 2016 walk-run fundraiser, as we send out sponsorship letters and emails to some businesses on January 1st, 2016. This process will take a good part of December, and January 2016. We hope to get started in February 2016, with finalizing sponsors for the Courageous Steps 2016 Walk-Run fundraiser. If you have any questions, or suggestions even, of fundraising, or project ideas, please contact Connor Archer at: [email protected]. Phase 2 of Green House Technology Expansion Project begins with distribution of keyboards for iPads11/14/2015 The Courageous Steps Project is continuing to plow through it's to-do list, as we have made it possible, to begin the second phase of the Green House Nursery School Technology Expansion Project. The project began with a $125.98 investment into two wireless keyboards, which will be used with the two iPads purchased this past summer, as part of the first phase of the technology expansion project. The rest of the project was finalized as well, as we were able to determine the the rest of the upcoming phase. This phase will include now a projector, and accessories for the projector. This part of the phase will be around $400, but will bring several benefits to the school, as the third phase, will bring more iPads into the school, to provide more opportunities to students within the school. Currently, the second phase is just going through some last approval steps before we begin the phase, but we expect it to start close to the end of November, and be completed hopefully by the beginning of December, just in time to be able to use it before the new year. The Courageous Steps Project founder Connor Archer, has continued to share his story with the communities in the greater Bangor Area. This time though, he has taken it one step further. On Wednesday November 11th, 2015, he shared his story with WLBZ2 for his Teens Who Care segment, which will air on WLBZ2 Bangor and WCSH6 Portland, throughout the entire state of Maine, and parts of New Hampshire. "I believe this is another great opportunity to get my story out there, and to get people involved with the Courageous Steps Project" said Archer. "The award was a proud moment for me, but at the same time, it's just another way to educate those about the challenges that young children with Autism occur each and everyday." The station is aiming to begin airing the promo on December 1st, and carrying it on through the months of December 2015 and January 2016 on commercials. The segment will be aired on a particular newcast(s) in December. Video footageOrono Middle School principal Jeff Paul invited Connor Archer on Monday November 9th, to speak to the students about his challenges of Autism, and about the Courageous Steps Project. For Archer, this was just another way to make the community aware of the challenges that exist for those that live with them in our communities. "Every time I share my story, and talk about the Courageous Steps Project, I do get nervous. But i've started to not get as nervous, after sharing my story so many times." Archer earlier this year, shared his story with the RSU #26 Orono staff at their staff opening breakfast on Thursday August 27th, 2015. Archer hopes to speak to more students in RSU #26, and potentially expanding his efforts into the communities of Milford and Veazie in the coming months. The Courageous Steps Project has slowly entered it's fall season, but founder Connor Archer, now has plans to begin the 2nd phase of the technology expansion project at the Green House Nursery School, begin sending out emails for the Courageous Steps 2016 Walk-Run event set for Sunday May 22nd, 2016, and to work out other details. For the 2016 year, the Courageous Steps Project will be changing its mailing locations. This will be more convenient for the Courageous Steps Project, and will allow the project to have better control of finances. This week, founder Connor Archer will be speaking to a group of middle school students in Orono on Monday, while then on Wednesday speaking to WLBZ2 about the Courageous Steps Project, and about how YOU can help. The Courageous Steps Project will also be recognized in a magazine to be released this week. **We are now looking for sponsors for the Courageous Steps 2016 Walk-Run event, which will be held on Sunday May 22nd, 2016. Please visit our step system for businesses page on the different categories for sponsorships. We also have our forms for this year's fundraiser along with information on our Courageous Steps 2016 Walk-Run event webpage.** If you have questions, you can also email Connor Archer at: [email protected]. |
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Media LinksCourageous Steps Project fundraiser held at Governor's - 8/9/16 |