Courageous Gets Community Support for Expanded Events

A few weeks back, officials from teamed up with the Neighborhood Council for a public meeting.

Their goal: to inform the community about plans to expand private events hosted at Courageous with the hope of getting a blessing from neighbors.

Amy VanDoren, executive director at Courageous, told Patch the hearing went well. There was no opposition -- though admittedly, a slim turnout.

And, at the end, the Neighborhood Council endorsed Courageous' plans for an additional five evening events in 2012, for a total of 10. The added events will be private affairs -- VanDoren said likely weddings -- but one of the events is designated to the community. It's up to Charlestown to decide which one it wants, and what that event will be.

"We've had absolutely no complaints for any of our events this summer," VanDoren said. "Five years ago, there were problems, but fortunately, over the last two years, we've changed that. ... We know we need to be a good neighbor."

The events will bring in revenues, she said, that will all support the programming that Courageous provides -- free or low-cost sailing instruction to inner-city children and teens.

Courageous will now submit a proposal to the city's licensing board for final approval. Officials must also apply for individual permits for each event.