Honoring The Past.
Revitalize for the Future.
Creating the new home for Courageous Steps in a place we call home.
"Of all the steps you take, the first is most important."
In February 2014, during my sophomore year at Old Town High School, I revealed my personal journey living with Autism to a wider audience of people (peers and adults). It all started through a health project that eventually lead to the start of the organization that has expanded it's presence statewide.
Nearly 12 years later, Courageous Steps has the opportunity to take the biggest step forward to date, to create a bright path forward for every child to grow, to thrive, and to succeed, in a place that means so much more to us than many.
My mom taught me everything I needed to know. She gave me the tools and knowledge I needed to do what I am doing now. I continue to be thankful for her support then and still today.
Never Forgetting My Roots.
Courageous Steps started because of the Old Town community's support for my vision back then. That support is still there today and has only expanded. While we did not start out big, we took the slow and steady approach and wanted to do it the right way. That has lead to bigger programs and services that people count on all over the region and state. I will always be grateful to this community and the people who helped start it all.
And now, we are prepared to take the next step forward for our future.
I have always wanted to give back in a big way to this community. And now we have the opportunity to do that.
My vision for this place runs deep. Check out the before and after images of our upgrades to the Herb Sargent campus in Stillwater Village.
For a full view of renderings, please view this document: Visual Renderings
Before
After
Letters of Support
Letters of Support from nearly 6 dozen community members, school leaders, state leaders, and Courageous Steps board members/leaders demonstrating the importance and impact of the project.
Professional Letters (33 Letters)
Other Letters of Support (35 Letters/Testimonials)
Joy Hollowell has told our story for nearly 12 years, in the best ways possible.
Building Community.
Annually, Courageous Steps is proud to grow it's reach and impact through daily programming, events, and giving efforts to improve quality of school and life in our communities all over Maine.
The Power of One Word and One Wishlist Gift.
Helping beyond our doors will remain a priority for our organization. Through new partnerships, we intend to expand our impact for students and teachers (and smiles), ensuring that they have the tools to grow, thrive and succeed.
Driving Our Impact
Forward Together.
Filled with passion, and the desire to expand our impact statewide, Courageous Steps now reaches seven counties consistently on an annual basis. With donors and partners, we can do so much more. It would be our biggest honor to carry forward the legacy of this campus for the community.