The Story of A Contagious Smile Academy
Built by individuals with lived experiences who refused to be dismissed.
They thought we couldn’t succeed—
So we created something that will.
Not just a website.
Not merely a course catalog.
A comprehensive, trauma-informed educational platform designed to uplift and empower those who have faced adversity.
In 2025, A Contagious Smile launched an online academy designed to serve:
- Survivors of abuse
- Special needs families
- Veterans and their loved ones
- Parents navigating complex systems
- Children whose voices are often overlooked
We didn’t build this because it was a popular idea.
We built it because it was the solution for the challenges we face.
When the System Didn’t Meet Our Needs
We’ve spent countless nights in emergency rooms.
We’ve faced difficult decisions in courtrooms, often without the support we needed.
We’ve been told “just be grateful it wasn’t worse.”
We’ve endured long, draining meetings, only to find ourselves still fighting the same battles.
And when we sought help, it was often insufficient.
So we decided to step in and support each other.
We built the resources we couldn’t find elsewhere.
A Contagious Smile Academy: Empowerment Through Knowledge
This platform provides practical tools to take control of your life, one course, one choice, one step at a time.
With over 100 self-paced, trauma-informed courses, we’ve created a space offering usable tools to help navigate life’s challenges.
And most of these courses are free.
For those that aren’t, they cost less than $5.
Because healing should be accessible to everyone.
We didn’t build this for profit.
We built it for the individuals who have long been overlooked.
What You’ll Find Inside
Here are some of the essential resources that we’ve created to meet real needs:
📘 “IEP Armor: Fight Smart. Win Loud.”
Learn how to advocate effectively for your child, even in difficult school environments.
🛡 “Digital Defense”
Practical advice on staying safe online, especially after experiencing abuse or obtaining a protective order.
🩵 “The Son the World Didn’t Understand”
A grief-healing course for parents who’ve lost a child to mental illness or addiction.
🕊 “She Was Me”
A course for survivors to share their experiences without shame, offering real, honest narratives of healing.
🦸🏽♂️ “Stucco Squad”
Superhero-themed lessons designed for children in hospitals, special education, or recovery, fostering empowerment and bravery.
Every course is designed to offer:
- Practical, real-world tools
- Independent healing activities
- Meaningful reflections that resonate with the lived experiences of participants
Recognition and Impact
In less than one year, without corporate backing or large donations, the academy has been recognized for its impact:
🏆 Best Trauma Recovery & Advocacy Program in the U.S.
🏆 Best Support Network for Special Needs Families
🏆 Best Transformative Trauma Advocate of 2025
But the most important recognition comes when someone logs in, takes a course, and feels empowered to take the next step in their journey toward healing.
A Labor of Love, Not Profit
Victoria Cuore, a survivor, special needs parent, and trauma advocate, founded A Contagious Smile Academy. She has poured her heart into creating this resource. Alongside her husband, Michael, a veteran, they have funded this initiative themselves, prioritizing people over profits.
Their daughter, Faith, who has undergone numerous medical treatments, is the inspiration behind this work.
They don’t take a salary or benefit financially. They do this because they understand the challenges of navigating systems that often don’t meet people’s needs.
Changing Advocacy, One Course at a Time
Our approach to advocacy is simple: it’s about providing accessible, plain-language resources filled with practical solutions for people who have often been underserved.
This isn’t about reinventing the wheel; it’s about offering what has been missing.
Support Us in Keeping This Resource Free
We fund this academy ourselves because we believe in accessibility. However, as the need for our services grows, so does the cost.
🎁 Every dollar helps provide free courses, emergency access, and scholarship support.
💛 To donate or sponsor a survivor, visit: www.acontagioussmile.com.
Join A Contagious Smile Academy
No prerequisites.
No judgment.
Just tools.
Just truth.
And a supportive community ready to help you take the next step.
They thought we wouldn’t succeed.
But we’ve built something that speaks for millions.
We’ve built something that will.
