Happy end of May, Courage Fam!
To say the month flew by would be an understatement. We kept ourselves busy this month, from opening the Courage+ Salon, to moving into the new Courage House, to the first annual Bravery in Bloom, to the return of the Courage+ Pageant and more. Read on for the recap on all things Courage+, and keep your eyes on our newsletters and socials throughout the month of June and beyond for events, volunteer opportunities, and some exciting announcements on the 2026 Gala 👀 |
Pride Month is Here! Join us…
For the last few months, we’ve had many folx ask, “What are you doing for Pride this year?” No shock, the answer is, “What AREN’T we doing for Pride this year?!”
We are so unbelievably lucky to have such a large, wonderful community full of families, businesses, and individual supporters. This large base gives us so many events and fundraising events to join, which can make the scheduling predictability a bit chaotic... which is the best problem to have! But we’ve got a few “for sures” on the calendar, and we’d love to have you join us.
We’ve got Courage to Grow.
If you were moved by the Unsheltered activation last year, you’re going to want to keep your eyes on the sidewalk tomorrow (June 1st) and all throughout this week to see how Courage grows, this month and beyond…
Courage+ x Milwaukee Pridefest
Earlier this year, we were honored to be asked to take over the youth area at Pride by our friends and community partners at Milwaukee Pridefest. We’ll be in the youth area Friday and Saturday afternoon with activities, games and entertainment that will be fun for the whole family. If June 1st blooms your interest, there’s more where that grew from.
Want to do more than attend? We’re still looking for volunteers! Follow the link below to sign up. Volunteer sign-up is setup through the official Pridefest website. It will ask you to create an Eventeny (their volunteer platform) login. There is a question that states “Why are you interested in volunteering at Milwaukee PrideFest?. Please use that field to say: I want to volunteer in the Youth Area.
See you there! |
Walk with Courage+ and NOH8 at the 2026 Milwaukee Pride Parade!
Close out the first weekend of Pride by walking alongside Courage+, NOH8, and dozens of GSAs throughout the state in the 2026 Milwaukee Pride Parade.
There’s room for everyone, we promise! Bring your family, bring your friends. Sign-up at the link below. NOH8 and Courage+ will also be POPping up at POP Milwaukee after the parade for a special photoshoot opportunity. |
Courage+ Fundraisers
Are you or your business doing a fundraiser to benefit Courage+ for Pride Month? We want to make sure you and your business are recognized! We’ll be shouting out our amazing community partners and their fundraising efforts all throughout June on our socials and in our newsletters. If you’re organizing something special, please email us at info@courageplus.org so we can make sure to shout you out!
Thank you x a million. You all make sure that we feel the love and pride far beyond June. We’re looking forward to celebrating with as many of you as we can all month.
Happy Pride!
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 |
Courage+ Salon: the First Month
In the last newsletter, the salon had just opened its doors. Tomorrow marks one month since Rob opened his chairs and ears to our wonderful community. It’s been an incredible experience so far, and new and old faces in our building everyday has brought a new sense of purpose to what Courage is. To all who have paid Rob a visit so far: thank you! And if you’re still waiting to schedule a visit, there’s still time to book for summer! |
The Courage+ Salon does more than cuts and styles. It’s also a trauma-informed space offering individual and family sessions for foster parents and caregivers. Whether your child or family member has a hair texture you need assistance with or sensory differences that make traditional salon experiences difficult, Rob and his space have something to offer everyone. For more information on all the salon has to offer, visit the link below.
See you in our chairs soon! |
After ~6 months of paperwork, renovations, and logistics, we have officially moved from the original Courage House on 6th Street and into our new neighborhood. As bittersweet as a move can be, we felt all of the emotions in making this change. We are forever grateful for the memories shared in the original house, and we’ll never forget the walls that we called “home” for the first part of the Courage story. But, we are acclimating well to our new abode, and we are excited for all of the new memories that the new space will bring. While our house has moved, both the C2 Apartments and the Courage+ Salon and offices are staying put in the Walker’s Square area. We’re excited to expand our reach (and have a second bathroom!) in the new house, and we’re so grateful to be able to keep our current spaces in Walker’s Point so that we can continue to be strong, allied community partners to our neighbors.
Thank you to all of the incredible volunteers who helped make moving day our smoothest yet, and to Two Men and a Truck for donating your time and top-notch movers! |
Thank you to everyone who attended, vended at, and visited Bravery in Bloom, 2026. While a new event is never without hiccups, all of us at Courage+ felt so full of joy and warmth in getting the community together for a day of art, dancing, food, and friendship.
A special thanks to Jeremy Novy for donating his time and talents to paint a new mural on the C2 Apartments, to all of our fabulous entertainers, and to the AMAZING volunteers who showed up and out to help with set up and to make takedown a breeze.
We’ll be back for Bravery in Bloom 2027! |
Last two images courtesy of Yarek Locia. Visit the link below to see more of the pictures captured by Yarek at Bravery in Bloom! |
Meet Your New Miss and Mr. Courage+
After a 6-year hiatus, the Miss and Mr. Courage+ Pageant has returned!
We felt the love BIG yesterday at the 2026 pageant, and were graciously surrounded by many of our Courage family members to celebrate the return of this program. Thank you to all of our talented competitors, fabulous judges, incredible hostess, and featured entertainers for making the first pageant since 2019 everything we hoped for.
Congratulations to Harmony Breeze, Miss Courage+ 2026, and Jacques Infiniti Ross, Mr. Courage+ 2026! We look forward to seeing all that you do with the voice and advocacy that comes with your new titles, and we know that you’ll make all of us proud! |
Together, we are Courage+.
If you’re able, please consider making a donation to help us continue creating safe, supportive spaces for every young person who needs us.
This is only possible because of your generosity.
Thank you for being a part of the Courage+ family!
Courageously,
The Courage+ Team |
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