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Freedom Together in the News: Celebrating the Third Slate of The Courage Project Honorees

Dear friends, 

Across the country, everyday people and organizations are stepping up to support their neighbors and create strong, connected communities. 

At a challenging time for our nation, their courageous acts embody the best of the American spirit. In the lead up to our country’s 250th anniversary, Freedom Together and several of our peers came together to launch The Courage Project — an initiative honoring everyday acts of bravery. 

This week, we are proud to announce the third slate of honorees whose courageous acts have strengthened and united their communities in times of need. From young people fighting for better education access to faith communities stepping up during crises, the 20 individuals and organizations honored in this cohort are bravely stepping up to address their community’s most pressing challenges.

The honorees include: 

  • Fourteen school bus drivers from the Kerrville Independent School District (ISD) in Texas who, after hearing about the dangerous flooding of the Guadalupe River, selflessly drove their buses into rising water to rescue hundreds of trapped children and counselors. 
  • DJ Bracken who, after learning that students across the state faced a combined $2.8 million in school lunch debt, began personally paying off debts at local schools. His initiative inspired the creation of the Utah Lunch Debt Relief Foundation (UTLDR), which has since cleared lunch debt for 12 local schools and helped pass legislation to ensure free lunches for all students. 
  • Ayuda, which for more than 50 years has ensured access to legal services for immigrants in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland. The organization’s comprehensive model combines legal representation, case management, therapy, and language services. By breaking down barriers and addressing immigration fraud, trauma, and language isolation, Ayuda empowers thousands of immigrants each year to heal, thrive, and fully participate in their communities.

For their leadership, organizations like Ayuda will receive awards ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. Individual honorees will have the opportunity to recommend “pay it forward” donations to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations that align with their values. 

We are grateful to our partners who have made The Courage Project possible, including CFLeads, The James Irvine Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Kenneth Rainin Foundation, the Marguerite Casey Foundation, the McKnight Foundation, Pisces Foundation, the Public Welfare Foundation, The Skillman Foundation, and the Surdna Foundation. 

To learn more, or to nominate a neighbor or organization demonstrating civic bravery, visit thecourageproject.org.

In solidarity,

Daniel Altschuler

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Additional Coverage of The Courage Project Honorees