How have Courageous Steps donations been used?
NOTE: Some donations have not been pictured due to privacy reasons. Other donations have been made in-kind to causes that are associated to The Courageous Steps Project's mission and vision. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of our donations have been delayed to better support our organization's long-term sustainability.
2021 Donations/Projects
The Courageous Steps Project, when launching the Green House Village Preschool, created the Green House Village Alumni Fund, to support the educational activities and programs of the Green House Village Preschool. This includes the growth of a Healthy Habits program, and several exterior projects that help enhance the children's play-based educational curriculum.
The Courageous Steps Project has created and is still growing the Step Forward Center for Discovery & Learning program, which will help school age children and young adults grow and succeed. Through collaborating with schools and other community organizations, we are able to establish community programming that is effective and accessible to all children. This program will continue to grow throughout the remainder of 2021 into 2022.
The Courageous Steps Project has created the Green House Village Preschool, serving children ages 3-5 years old (or those until kindergarten entry). The Courageous Steps Project is committed to helping children get the start they so need, no matter the challenges that they may face. Our inclusive-based program, supports ALL children and allows them to thrive and succeed through a play-based environment.
2020 Donations
The Central Community Elementary School received a donation of school supplies through our 7th Annual Courageous Steps Back-To-School Drive campaign for their students and staff for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year, during the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Especially now more than ever, we are so happy to support the students and staff at schools all around the Eastern Maine region.
The Maine JR BlackBears Hockey Program received a donation to benefit the Dylan McInnis Scholarship Fund. This scholarship fund, supports those children wanting to participate in hockey, but need some assistance in order to do so. As part of our 7th annual virtual walk-run campaign, we were able to make a $750 donation towards the fund. Now more than ever, we are so thankful that we are able to support great causes in the region.
The G.H. Jewett School in Bucksport received a generous donation of school supplies through our 7th Annual Courageous Steps Back-To-School Drive campaign for their students and staff for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Especially now more than ever, we are so happy to support the students and staff at Bucksport's G.H. Jewett School thrive.
Bucksport High School received a generous donation of school supplies through our 7th Annual Courageous Steps Back-To-School Drive campaign for their students and staff for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Especially now more than ever, we are so happy to support the students and staff at Bucksport High School thrive.
Asa Adams Elementary School teacher Mr. Soderberg in Orono received a $160 donation to go towards adding sensory learning equipment within his classroom space. We hope that this donation supports students for several years to come!
2019 Donations
The Dr. Lewis Libby School in Milford received a donation of $500 to go towards adding flexible seating options within their different classrooms at the school. School Counselor Angela McDunnah uses these sensory seats within her classes all the time, and aims to continue pushing the need for more seating options for the students within the school.
The Village Pre-School in Milford received a $500 donation from The Courageous Steps Project's Wishlist Initiative. This donation will benefit the school's scholarship program and other future initiatives through the school. The Village Pre-School is an early childhood education pre-school program, striving to provide an inclusive and hands-on learning environment.
G.H. Jewett School in Bucksport was one of 27 other schools to receive a school supplies bin from the 2019 Courageous Steps Back-To-School Drive program! Pictured with founder & CEO/Executive Director is Jeannie Sargent, a staff member at the school.
The SAU #31 Schools received a donation of school supplies from The Courageous Steps Project's Back To School Drive program, and Stuff The Bus event on Tuesday August 6th at Penobscot County Federal Credit Union in Howland. School counselor Robyn Greene (who is also a Courageous Steps volunteer), went around to the different schools to deliver the supplies to the schools.
The Courageous Steps Project awarded donations to 10 schools that attended the 3rd Annual Unified Basketball Fun Day (now through Step Forward Unified Sports). Each school received $250 towards their programs, with a total of $2,500 donated towards the programs. Pictured is the Orono High School Unified Basketball program, who has also been the proud host site of this event! Other programs that received donations include: Bangor, Brewer, Ellsworth, Hermon, Mattanawcook, MDI, Mt. View (Thorndike), Nokomis (Newport), and Old Town.
The Courageous Steps Project's Wishlist Initiative held a fundraiser during the time of Connor's 21st Birthday, and raised $196 for The Village School's programs and scholarship fund. The Village School is an early childhood education program focused on inclusive & hands-on learning.
The Eddington School in Eddington, ME received a $350 donation through The Courageous Steps Project's Wishlist Initiative to benefit their special education programs in an effort to create an inclusive environment for the students at the school. The school serves elementary students in the community of Eddington!
2018 Donations
The Courageous Steps Project awarded a donation of sensory items & seating to Mr. Ron of the G.H. Jewett School in Bucksport. Mr. Ron is a pre-school teacher, and has started to include more sensory items in the classroom for children. We were glad to join Mr. Ron and his class for the giving of these items.
The Courageous Steps Project awarded a donation to Eddington School teacher Kristen Russell for $500.00 through the organization's Wishlist Initiative. Kristen is a special education teacher at the school, and has worked hard to create a sensory-friendly classroom for her students. Through this donation, she will be able to purchase more seats and other items that will be helpful to fulfilling her classroom's vision!
The Courageous Steps Project awarded two donations to two teachers for their effort in creating a sensory friendly classroom. Teachers Beth Handley and Erika Haulk received donations totaling $750 for the Dedham School. We are excited to be helping this small school and their students through providing sensory-friendly tools for their classroom.
The Courageous Steps Project awarded a donation to Indian Island School teacher Kristine Jarnich for her classroom this fall. This donation will be used to add more sensory seating within her classroom of fourth graders in the school. Pictured is founder & CEO/Executive Director Connor Archer with the teacher and her students.
The Courageous Steps Project supported a total of 27 schools during its' 2018 Back To School Drive program. Our founder & CEO/Executive Director Connor Archer delivered all the supplies. One of those schools was Bucksport High School. Pictured is Connor with the Bucksport High School Administrative Office staff.
The Courageous Steps Project awarded a $500 donation to the Maine Cheer Academy through the Dylan McInnis Walk-Run Team Challenge competition. This donation will go towards the program's endeavors of providing cheering to the youth in the local community.
The Courageous Steps Project awarded 10 donations of $250 to local high school Unified Basketball programs that attended the 2nd Annual Unified Basketball Fun Day in March. Hermon High School was one of the programs to receive a donation. Other schools that received a donation were from Bangor, Brewer, Ellsworth, Mattanawcook Academy, MDI, Mt. View (Thorndike), Nokomis (Newport), Old Town, and Orono.
The Courageous Steps Project awarded a $500 donation to the Old Town High School Unified Basketball program from The Courageous Steps Project's Wishlist Initiative. This donation specifically will help Old Town launch their program, just as many other schools have done as well.
The Courageous Steps Project awarded a $250 donation to Orono High School's Adaptive Education program. This grant from our Wishlist Initiative, will allow the program to purchase much needed equipment for the program. Pictured is founder & CEO/Executive Director Connor Archer, and Cami Carter of the program.
2017 Donations
The Courageous Steps Project awarded a donation of $180 to Asa Adams School teacher Suzanne Neville, through its' Wishlist Initiative. Mrs. Neville, will use the donation to include more sensory items within the classroom for her first grade students.
The Courageous Steps Project recently awarded a donation to Orono Middle School of $400 from the Wishlist Initiative. This donation will be used to provide more sensory seating and other sensory related items throughout the classrooms of OMS.
The Courageous Steps Project awarded a Charitable Giving grant to the Brewer School Department's Special Education program. This will be used primarily at the Brewer Community School focusing on building an adaptive learning classroom for students in that special education program. Pictured is Superintendent Cheri Towle, founder & CEO/Exec. Director Connor Archer, and Special Education Director Angela Moore.
The Courageous Steps Project recently awarded a donation to April Poulsen and Lesile Johnson-Wright, two teachers at Old Town Elementary School. Both teachers will use this donation to help purchase sensory learning equipment within their combined classroom space. This donation was made through our organization's Wishlist Initiative.
The Courageous Steps Project recently awarded a donation of $250 to the Brewer School Department through its' Wishlist Initiative. The donation was awarded through our 4th annual walk-run banner challenge. Brewer was one of three recipients to receive a donation from the banner challenge. Pictured is some members of the Brewer Community School, along with founder & CEO/Executive Director Connor Archer.
The Courageous Steps Project was pleased to award $250 donations to six local High School Unified Basketball programs in the Eastern Maine region. Schools from Bangor, Brewer, Hermon, MDI, Nokomis, and Orono all received donations from the first annual event. This was all made possible from our first ever Unified Basketball Fun-Day held at Orono High School back in March!
The Courageous Steps Project’s Wishlist Initiative awarded $200.00 to GH Jewett School classroom teacher Christian Koelbl. Christian is continuing to implement sensory equipment within his classroom. In 2016, Christian received a $300.00 donation from the Wishlist Initiative. The GH Jewett School is located in Bucksport!
2016 Donations
The Brewer School Department Special Education program received a donation of $1,000.00 through the Courageous Steps Charitable Giving initiative on Monday December 5th, 2016 during a school board meeting. The Brewer School Department Special Education program serves students with developmental challenges in Brewer, and greater communities.
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The RSU #19 Autism Leader team recently was awarded a $600.00 grant to go towards purchasing a television for an already purchased Karaoke set, and three fingerprint sensors for three schools in the district. The RSU #19 Autism Leader team serves the communities of Newport, St. Albans, Hartland, Palmyra, Corinna, Etna, and Dixmont.
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*Visit the Back-To-School Drive page to view all the organizations that received school supplies this year, courtesy of The Courageous Steps Project's 3rd annual back-to-school drive campaign.*
Sarah Koelbl, a classroom teacher at Searsport Elementary School, reached out to The Courageous Steps Project to include occupational and physical therapy equipment in her classroom. Sarah received a donation of $200.00 from The Courageous Steps Project to use towards growing her occupational and physical therapy efforts. Sarah and principal Larry Clement stand with founder Connor Archer, who traveled down to Searsport to present the donation to Sarah.
Christian Koelbl, a classroom teacher at Bucksport, Maine's GH Jewett School, serving Pre-K and Kindergarten, reached out to The Courageous Steps Project for support of occupational and physical therapy equipment in his classroom. Christian's passion kicked off a new initiative for The Courageous Steps Project, called the Wishlist initiative. Christian received $300.00 to use for growing his occupational and physical therapy efforts inside the regular classroom setting.
The Veazie Community School Special Education Department this year received a donation of $700.00 made possibly by the Courageous Steps Project's 3rd annual walk-run event on Sunday May 22nd. The presentation took place on Thursday June 16th at the Veazie Community School with staff from the special education department. Veazie last year received a donation of $500.00. Veazie has received $1,200.00 from the Courageous Steps Project since last year.
The Brewer High School Unified Basketball program received $200 made possible by the Courageous Steps Project's 3rd annual walk-run event. The presentation took place on Tuesday June 14th at Brewer High School. Accepting the donation was a member of the Brewer High School Unified Basketball team, and athletic director David Utterback. Brewer is one of two unified basketball programs that have been supported by the project's fundraising endeavors.
The RSU #26 Special Education department received $1,000 made possible by the Courageous Steps project's 3rd annual walk-run event. The presentation took place on Monday June 13th. Accepting the donation is special education director Sharon Brady. In just two years, the program has received $2,000 from the project. Funds have been used to buy adaptive playground equipment at the Asa Adams School in Orono.
The RSU #34 Special Education department received $1,500 made possible by the Courageous Steps Project's 3rd annual walk-run event. The presentation took place on Monday June 13th. Accepting the donation is special education director Kimm Kenniston. In just three years, the program has received $3,500. Funds have been used in the past to purchase iPads for the K-2 Special Education department.
The Green House Nursery School was the recipient of the $5,000 grant award sponsored by Prudential Finance and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. The award presentation took place on Friday June 10th, 2016. This grant was part of the award that founder Connor Archer, of the Courageous Steps Project was recognized with during his Prudential Spirit of Community Awards trip in May. In just three years, the school has received more than $11,000 in donations from the Courageous Steps Project.
The Courageous Steps Project founder Connor Archer presented Aimee Georgia, and Hadley Moore with $500 scholarships as part of the Courageous Steps Project's Scholarship Fund. The scholarship fund has given $1,900 to graduating seniors at Old Town High School.
The Green House Nursery School received $2,000 for their program on Thursday June 9th. Connor Archer presents check to Lynn Faerber (not pictured), Karen Thibault (right), and students at the Green House surround the check.
The Orono High School Unified Basketball program received $200 on FridayJune 3rd. Founder Connor Archer presented the check to Athletic Director Mike Archer (not pictured), coach Jen Plourde, and students that are on the team.
The Lewis Libby School Special Education department received $500 for their program on Thursday June 2nd. Founder Connor Archer presented the donation to Carrie Kern, the special education director at the Lewis Libby School. This donation was made possible by the Courageous Steps Project's 3rd annual walk-run event on Sunday May 22nd.
The Courageous Steps Project founder Connor Archer, revealed the items from Phase 2 of the Green House Technology Expansion Project. The items included a projector, dongle for the projector, and wireless keyboards for the iPads that were purchased part of the phase 1 of their project last summer. So far, the school has seen an amazing change in their everyday tasks.
2015 Donations
The Courageous Steps Project founder Connor Archer, presented 3 bags of winter coats to the Old Town High School National Honors' Society president Derek Haas, as they hosted their 1st Winter Warmth Drive. All winter gear collected from Saturday December 12th's event, will be donated to RSU #34 (Alton, Bradley & Old Town) elementary schools, to distribute to young children, who may not have a coat, hat, or pair of boots even.
Founder Connor Archer, presented the Veazie Community School principal Matthew Cyr, with a $500 check to be used for their special education department. This comes after a successful summer of fundraising in 2015. We would like to thank our summer sponsors for making this donation possible. We haven't heard on what they plan on using the donation for yet, but we let you know when we do!
The Courageous Steps Project held it's 2nd annual back to school drive on Thursday July 30th, 2015. Because of the generous donations from different businesses, and people in our communities, we were able to donate boxes to 12 area schools, supporting schools in the greater Old Town & Orono area.
The Green House Nursery School received a first phase technology expansion project package of 2 iPads, a bluetooth speaker system, carrying cases, protective cases with clear screens, and a $50 iTunes gift card to be used to buy apps. This first phase is worth around $1,500. The school has already used these iPads in speech & therapy settings, and in the classroom trying apps, and listening to music.
The RSU #26 Special Education Department received $1,000 after the second annual Courageous Steps Walk-Run event, to be used for their special education programs, to help young children with challenges. Special education director Sharon Brady, has purchased the adaptive Playground equipment for the Asa Adams Elementary School.
The Courageous Steps Project awarded $900 in it's first year of having The Courageous Steps Project Scholarship Fund. Jamie Lynne-Lemery, Meghan Ellingwood, and Brandon Mcginn each received $300, to be used towards their post-secondary education, as they take Courageous Steps onto the next chapter of their lives.
The RSU #34 Special Education Department received $1,000 to be used within RSU #34 to help young children with challenges. Special education director Kimm Kenniston has not indicated yet on how the money has been used, but said she will indicate that soon!
The Green House Nursery School received $2,000 for their program, from the first annual Courageous Steps Walk-Run event on Sunday May 18th, 2014. Director Lynn Faerber was speechless again, and is grateful that the project has donated this amount of money again! Faerber plans to use the money to help with the everyday troubles in the program, as they are a not-for-profit organization!
2014 Donations
The Courageous Steps Project held it's 1st annual back to school drive on Sunday August 24th, 2014 at Old Town High School. Because of the support from the community, we were able to donate boxes to six area schools, in the greater Old Town area.
Old Town Elementary School after the first annual Courageous Steps fundraiser, received $1,000 to be used in their special education department. The school used some of the money to buy an iPad for a little girl to help them learn speech, and the rest of the money was used to buy sensory seats to be used in the classroom.
The Green House Nursery School received $2,000 after the first annual Courageous Steps fundraiser, to be used to help their crucial program, as they help young children with challenges. They are a not-for-profit program, so they heavily rely on organizations like the Courageous Steps Project, to help with their program. The Green House has also received plants giving a new facelift for the school grounds.
