ABOUT
connecting through courage
At Connecting Through Courage we believe that erasing shame is the best path to finding courage
The mission that drives us forward towards ending stigma.
Connecting Through Courage is a nonprofit organization dedicated to dismantling the stigma surrounding substance use disorders through education, storytelling, and community engagement.
We empower individuals and groups to replace judgment with understanding—so that no one has to suffer in silence, and everyone has the courage to seek help, find healing, and live free from shame.
Our Vision
We envision communities where substance use disorder is understood as a treatable health condition, stigma is replaced with compassion, and individuals and families feel supported, empowered, and safe to seek help early, leading to healthier families, stronger communities, and lasting recovery.
Our Values
At Connecting Through Courage, our work is guided by the following core values:
Compassion
We approach every individual and family with empathy, respect, and understanding, recognizing the humanity behind every experience.
Education & Evidence-Based Practice
We believe accurate information saves lives. Our programs and advocacy are grounded in research, prevention science, and best practices.
Dignity & Respect
We honor the inherent worth of every person and reject shame, blame, and judgment as barriers to healing.
Connection & Collaboration
We believe meaningful change happens through strong relationships, community partnerships, and shared responsibility.
Hope & Empowerment
We foster hope by empowering individuals and families with knowledge, tools, and support to make informed decisions.
Integrity & Accountability
We act with honesty, transparency, and ethical responsibility in all areas of our work.
Our Founder
Kylie Komaridis
Founder of Connecting Through Courage
Kylie Komaridis didn’t come to this work through a textbook—she came to it through lived experience.
Growing up in a family impacted by alcoholism, and later facing her own struggles with substance use and a decades-long eating disorder, Kylie spent years asking the same question:
Why?
Why do some people struggle while others don’t?
Why is help so hard to reach—and even harder to ask for?
