Founder, Terri Hocking sharing a dance with one of our first Courageous Kids, Dylan.
Our Story
In December 2010, while working as a certified Child Life Specialist in a hospital, our founder, Terri Hocking saw a need that extended beyond the hospital walls. Children facing life-threatening medical conditions needed support not only during treatment, but in everyday life, where fear, anxiety, and uncertainty could affect the entire family.
Terri founded Courageous Kids on the belief that children are better able to face difficult circumstances when surrounded by a caring community. Her idea was simple yet powerful: Let’s get these brave kids and their families out of the hospital and give them something fun to look forward to! In 2011, hosted its first event.
The outings have always been about more than fun. Positive anticipation, moments of normalcy, and time together as a family give children the chance to simply be kids while helping families build connection, resilience, and joyful memories.
Sixteen years later, Terri’s vision continues to grow. Courageous Kids has welcomed more than 191 families, created hundreds of joyful experiences, and continues to inspire hope, strengthen families, and build a community where Courageous Kids and their families know they are never alone.
These are our guiding stars that keep us grounded and help point us in the right direction. Whether we are making big decisions, managing the day-to-day,
or serving our families directly, these are the principles we come back to.
We bring people together, connecting diverse families through shared experiences and inspiring the broader community to rally around our Courageous Kids and families with compassion.
COMMUNITY
FAMILY
COMPASSION
FUN
Our Core Values
We believe in fun! We spark joy, laughter, play, and unforgettable experiences where kids can simply be kids.
We lead with big hearts, kindness, and empathy so every family feels cared for, supported, and uplifted.
We care for the whole family — our Courageous Kids, siblings, parents, and caregivers — creating connections, meaningful support, and a bigger family where no one walks alone.
Meet the Team
Courtney Morrow, Executive Director
Courtney Morrow brings more than a decade of nonprofit leadership experience in fund development, strategic planning, and organizational growth to the role of Executive Director.
Her connection to Courageous Kids began early in her career, when she spent three years as the organization’s Director of Operations and fell in love with its mission and families. Since then, she has built broad nonprofit leadership experience in Detroit, including five years building and leading the development department at UCFS-CALC and most recently serving as Development Director for a community gathering place in Corktown.
Through it all, Courtney never really left Courageous Kids. She remained an active volunteer and supporter and spent the past two and a half years serving on the Board of Directors.
Now, in a meaningful full-circle moment, Courtney is excited to bring that experience back to an organization she loves to thoughtfully growing its reach and impact for Courageous Kids and the families we serve.
.jpg)
Jamie Mulvenna, Director of Operations
Jamie joined Courageous Kids in February 2020. She enjoys planning events and meeting our wonderful families. Jamie loves serving children and families. She has her Masters in Nonprofit Management, and has worked as a Foster Care Caseworker in Chicago and Detroit. She spends her downtime with her husband and three children.
Meet the Board
John Whitney
Board Chair
Deana Clement
Vice Chair
Jody Hurtubise
Treasurer
Dr. James Sansone
Director
John Mitsch
Director
Judy Asher
Director
Kathrine Horan
Director
Treasure Nwokeleme
Board Fellow
Partners in Hope
Our Partners in Hope are a special group of supporters whose generosity helps Courageous Kids dream bigger. Their leadership-level support strengthens our ability to serve more families, create more meaningful experiences, and continue bringing joy, connection, and hope to Courageous Kids and their families.
We are deeply grateful to these partners for believing in our mission
and for investing in the future of Courageous Kids.
Community Partners
Our Community Partners help bring Courageous Kids experiences to life through donated tickets, special opportunities, and event support. We are grateful for the organizations that help create joyful memories for te families we serve.
.png)