The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond XXXIII

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S NOTE
BY CARRIE COUGHLIN
PREFACE
BY ELIZABETH EVANS D’ASCENSAO
As we go to press on Volume XXXIII of The Courage of Children: Boston and
Beyond, the need for our program has grown tremendously, in large part due to
the continued struggles with loss of learning and stress and trauma for students
brought about by COVID-19. In 1991, the Warburgs were motivated to honor
their own son’s courage and looked to create something to help children in
Boston to find courage in their own lives, and to note that doing the right thing
can enhance one’s life. What MAXCourage became, how it grew, and how it
motivated a generation of children to find their voice, tell their story, be brave,
and be proud, is a testament to the power of storytelling and of resilience.
Providing a new out-of-school time program—The MAXCourage Writers’
Workshop Series—last year increased accessibility for all, with additional
pathways to our capstone essay project for those in afterschool and summer
programs. Our out-of-school time program MAXFellows now proudly take
their places in the book alongside those who participate in the original inschool
curriculum. Additionally, we are pleased to continue to support
teachers with “office hours,” microgrants to fund classroom libraries, and
school supplies.
In the nonprofit sector, MAXCourage is small but mighty, and as we continue
to manage capacity against the huge growth of our domestic program, I’m
inspired by the words of Andrew Caiazzo from this year’s book: “Courage is
the key to growing.” As MAXCourage continues to grow, we are grateful to all
for the support provided for our organization.
Congratulations to all of the published authors and their teachers—the 2024
MAXCourage cohort!
It feels as though there are so few surprises in life, yet, year after year, as we
approach the publication of The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond, I am
struck by how much we cannot predict in life. Just when we think we’ve
mastered the pattern or path, it changes. And so it goes in our relationships,
too—with family, friends, and indeed, with ourselves.
As you experience the stories of this year’s MAXFellows, I am certain you too
will be impressed by the perseverance, confidence, and flexibility with which
these students embrace life’s surprises. In some cases, we expect and hope
a situation won’t get worse, but it does. And without exception, these
MAXFellows persist, with great courage. They bravely seek help. They try
again. They engage new, healthier ways of coping and processing. They are
not afraid to admit that it’s hard. And they push on toward the next turn in
life’s road, often without a map for what lies ahead, but empowered with
the courage to hope, and the conviction that they deserve better.
Thankfully, some of life’s surprises prove to be gifts. This year’s MAXFellows
remind us to make room in our often highly regulated schedules for those
good surprises. When we’re not attached to a specific outcome, we can be
(pleasantly!) surprised to find that we love a new cuisine, or that our friends
will react supportively to our news; that an impossible task can be achieved,
or that taking a risk will be worth it.
When you are willing to meet others—and yourself—with compassion and
curiosity, rather than fear and judgment, you undoubtedly enrich the cast
of characters in your life. When you let yourself remain open to possibility,
the plot is wide open. There is room for growth. There is room for change.
There is room for courage.
Elizabeth Evans D’Ascensao is a Board Member and former Executive Director for The Max Warburg
Courage Curriculum. She currently works as a content creator and consultant.
THE COURAGE OF CHILDREN: BOSTON AND BEYOND
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VOLUME XXXIII
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