The Courageous Steps Project is pleased to welcome Dana Davis of Milford, to the Courageous Steps Project’s Fundraising Committee, as announced by founder & CEO/Executive Director Connor Archer.

“Dana will be a great addition to our organization’s fundraising team, and will help us continue to strengthen our fundraising committee” said Archer. Archer adds that this is the beginning of growing the fundraising team for the upcoming year and future of The Courageous Steps Project.

She is married to the love of her life Glenn and have two amazing children Maddie and Brady.

She lives in Milford, but grew up in Baileyville with her amazing mother and three siblings! Her mom was such a giver and such a selfless lady, we lost her way to early due to cancer...she wants to keep her alive in me by helping others in anyway she can!

She heard about Courageous Steps by signing up for a race. She is preschool teacher at the University of Maine and has been there since 2008. She loves to exercise, Zumba, cheer, and watch her children play the sports they love! Her kids say she talks too much, but she loves them with all her heart, they just don’t realize how cool their mom is.
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The Courageous Steps Project is looking for volunteers to help in many capacities. To learn more, or express interest, please email us at: [email protected].

On Wednesday October 16th, the Courageous Steps Project’s Board of Directors officially welcomed Mathy M. Terrill in as a board member of the organization.
“Mathy will be a great addition to our organization and its’ educational & community initiatives” said founder & executive director Connor Archer. This is just a series of moves that Archer is working on for the upcoming new year!
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Mathy M. Terrill is originally from New York but has lived in Maine since 1997. She has been in education for 16 years and currently works at Orono High School as a Social Studies teacher, and is an assistant coach on their Cross Country team. Mathy is married to Barry Terrill, they have 2 children Delaney and Griffin and reside in Old Town.

Hello Courageous Steps Supporters & Volunteers,

It has been a busy month of October, full of exciting ventures for the future of our organization!

We had the pleasure of receiving a donation from the Eastern Maine Bass Club through an event they did earlier this month. Their donation of $1,000, will help our new Unified Sports program!

This past weekend, we hosted our first ever Costumes & Cocktails event at the Morgan Hill Event Center. We had a turnout of over 200 people, and lots raised for our growing organization! We are looking forward to next year’s event already, set for Friday October 23rd from 8pm-12am.

We have been making some changes within our organizational structure this month. This includes naming Heather Martin as our new events chair for The Courageous Steps Project. Heather has been deeply involved within our organization’s endeavors, and this move will allow us to grow for years to come!

Our former board chair, Jay Martin, delivered his resignation message to the board of directors during the October 2019 board meeting. His resignation was based on personal reasons that we will not disclose, in respect of his family. Myself, and our board of directors, are beginning the process of filling this important role, and will hopefully have a decision by the end of this year/early next year!

Coming up for the rest of the year is our Thanksgiving Crockpot Challenge on Sunday November 17th from 3:30pm-5:30pm at the Old Town Recreation Center. $15 to enter your crockpot, and $5 for additional ones (can only enter a limit of 3). Supporters are encouraged to come out and eat with us as well. See the actual event for more details!

Courageous Steps will once again be at the OTES Holiday Bazaar on Saturday December 7th from 9am-2pm selling Yankee Candle products. Come see us, and choose your perfect holiday gifts!

Planning for next year is underway, with several new exciting events being launched, as well as expansion of programs. I am excited to share that all with you in the next couple of months.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please email me directly at: [email protected].

Thank you for your continued support!
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With Appreciation,
Connor J. Archer, Founder & CEO/Executive Director

Earlier in August, Heather Martin (current walk-run & fundraising committee member), joined our board of directors in early August, after her great involvement thus far. Heather was approved unanimously by the board fo directors on Wednesday August 14th at our Board of Directors meeting.

“This is a great opportunity for our growing organization. Heather brings such great work ethic & experience to our organization through her years in education.” said Connor Archer, founder & CEO/Executive Director of The Courageous Steps Project.

Heather has been involved with our annual walk-run, our gala events (Masquerade for Awareness & Costumes/Cocktails, and most recently, has been a huge contributor to our future plans for long-term programming through the Step Forward Initiative and its’ future programs.
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Heather Martin joined The Courageous Steps Project’s volunteering team in late 2017. Heather currently sits on our walk-run committee, and helps with other programs of the organization. She has been teaching for 19 years. She always enjoy watching children learn and grow. "I love volunteering with the Courageous Steps Project as it helps, teaches and provides tools to area students on how to face day to day obstacles."

The Courageous Steps Project recently held its' 2nd Annual Masquerade for Awareness on Saturday March 30th at the Morgan Hill Event Center in Hermon. 

With a turnout of approximately 230 people, it easily surpassed last year's total. 

"Everyone seemed to have an awesome time" said founder & executive director Connor Archer. "This event has allowed us to expand our efforts and has allowed our overall organization to take that next step forward" added Archer. 

Archer would also like to add that the event would not be possible without the sponsors, volunteers, and supporters. 

Registration for the 2020 Masquerade for Awareness will be open this fall. However, because of the turnout, we have a new event in store for later in 2019. 

"Because of all the support we received, we decided to launch an event called Costumes & Cocktails" said Archer. He goes onto say that this event will be a great fall event giving those to go out and have a fun night during the Halloween season. Registration is OPEN and can be accessed through our Facebook page! 

The Courageous Steps Project recently awarded a donation to 10 schools worth a total of $2,500. Each school received $250 from playing in our 3rd Annual Unified Basketball Fun-Day in March. 

Throughout the end of March and early April, The Courageous Steps Project awarded these donations from schools all over the Eastern Maine region. 

We are already looking forward to the 2020 Unified Basketball Fun-Day. More information to be released later this year! 

The Courageous Steps Project's 6th Annual Walk-Run is less than only 1 month away! Join us on Sunday May 19th for a fun afternoon of walking, running, and other fun for a great cause!

This event, dedicated to the late Dylan McInnis, a young boy who lived with the challenges of Autism. Dylan was gone from us too soon due to a congenital heart defect back in 2016. Through this event, we want to now honor his life and share his story with others so they are inspired to take their own steps. 

"This is a great event for everyone to be apart of" said founder & executive director Connor Archer. "The atmosphere makes it a great experience for everyone, and is a great time for everyone to connect and show their support for our efforts" added Archer. 

The event will take place from 1-4PM. A bounce house, inflatable obstacle course, slap shot game, and other activities will take place on the infield, along with the walk & run portions. Spencer's Ice Cream truck will be there from 11:30am-4:30pm selling ice cream. 20% of those sales will benefit children and young adults with developmental challenges. 

For more information, just email us at: [email protected]. You can also visit our website at: www.thecourageousstepsproject.org. 

The Courageous Steps Project's Wishlist Initiative recently gave $200 to a classroom teacher in Orono. Suzanne Neville, a 1st grade teacher at the Asa Adams School was able to purchase sensory learning seating & other fidgets for her first graders. 

The kids did a great job taking a picture with our founder & executive director Connor Archer, using the fake check. 

Looking to apply for a Wishlist grant? Learn more by visiting the Wishlist Initiative page on our website, or email Connor Archer at: [email protected]! 

On Wednesday August 29th, our founder & executive director Connor Archer went to the Dr. Lewis Libby School in Milford, to talk to their 8th graders about the importance of acceptance of others, no matter what challenges that they may face. 

Connor, does many of these engagements throughout the year, and he hopes to add many more. Are you interested? If so, please email Connor directly at: [email protected].