Founder / CEO
Maria Tell is a graduate of The University of Colorado Denver with a bachelor’s in criminal justice and is now working on finishing her master’s. She is a Fort Collins, CO native. Maria worked as the Housing Specialist/Peer Navigation Specialist at The Avery Center for Research & Services 2021 - 2023. Previously, Maria worked at Crowley County Correctional Facility as a Case Manager, and Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center as a Correctional Officer.
Maria is a survivor human trafficking, satanic ritual abuse (SRA) and commercial sexual exploitation (CSE). Maria felt compelled to join the anti-trafficking movement after she finally realized she was a trafficking survivor. Survivors are brainwashed and made to believe that they are criminals, and it took several years for her to self-identify. Researching and learning about trafficking was healing for her because it was a way for her to unravel the parts of herself that needed to surface. Being that The Avery Center was founded by another survivor, working there connected Maria to many other trafficking survivors, and these valuable relationships helped her come to terms about what she had experienced.
Additionally, Maria founded A Courageous Rose in 2023, which is a faith-based, anti-trafficking organization. Maria was raised Catholic, and after having left the church for many years, the Holy Spirit pulled her back. With God as her foundation, she has taken the plunge to expand on her own. After recognizing what was lacking in the anti-trafficking movement as far as services for survivors, Maria has put her own lived experience into action to fill these gaps to help others flourish. SRA, specifically, is something Maria is compelled to spread knowledge about, as well as ensure that ACR is a safe place where survivors who have experienced this form of trafficking can find a place of belonging, understanding, and support.
Maria partners with Homeland Security and local law enforcement to provide a trauma-informed approach to helping victims and survivors of trafficking. Maria has conducted several trainings and presentations about human trafficking throughout the state of Colorado at various entities. Currently, she has a focus on training law enforcement in small, rural communities because she has found there is a strong need for that, and the most dangerous parts of her trafficking occurred in a desolate rural town.
Overall, Maria’s true passion is bringing others to the fountain of Jesus’ endless Mercy. She thrives in walking alongside other victims and survivors, helping them reclaim their independence and rebuild their lives.
Life Coach/Self-Defense Coach
Founder of Redemption and Reparation After Darkness
I was born and raised in Fort Collins Colorado
My best friend Maria!! She had told me about how it was her dream to have her own non profit helping survivors of human trafficking, so once her dream was put into motion and became a real thing I just wanted to be able to help in any way I could with ACR because Maria’s vision is righteous and I’ve always wanted to be apart of something bigger then myself
I like working out or doing any kind of physical combat training, being outside, hiking, playing handball, and handing out clothes, food or green scapulars down in Denver to the homeless
“Always Running” by Luis J Rodriguez
Just being a little boy playing with my Spider-Man toys in the trailer in Poudre valley smelling home made tortillas being cooked .
Be a first rate version of yourself not a second rate version of somebody else.
“Even the mightiest warriors experience fears, what makes them a true warrior is the COURAGE they posses to overcome their fears” - Vegeta
Saint Dismas because he was the only saint to be canonized by Christ himself and reminds all of us that no matter what you’ve done God loves you and will save you and forgive you if you turn to him and ask for forgiveness even in your final moment.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Survivor Leader
Loveland, CO
I learned about A Courageous Rose through Maria, I want to be apart of this mission because I support Maria in following her dreams. Secondly, I feel it’s helping others rise above and have faith In Christ.
I enjoy time with my family and listening to music.
I like Twilight
My favorite memories are the days my daughter were born.
The best advice I have ever gotten is “The only person you can change is you, don’t sweat the rest.”
“Live everyday happy”
Mary Magdalene because it is claimed she witnessed many of Jesus’ miracles and life events. She is viewed as the patroness of wayward women in the modern era
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Business Owner
I am from Fort Collins, Colorado
I knew this was Maria’s dream and I wanted to help her fulfill it.
I believe that this non profit is extremely important. Providing education to law enforcement as well as the general public is greatly needed around human trafficking, as most people don’t think it is happening in their home cities. The networks the organization will provide to help protect victims as well as give help to survivors with leaving their abusers and giving them a space that is safe to start over.
I love to read, run, hike, camp, backpack, ski, and do yoga. My profession is horses, so even though that is my work time it’s also my passion. If I am not doing doing the other things I just listed I am likely on the back of a horse!
I am the biggest bookworm…I have too many favorites to list. My most recent favorite though was a book I just read called Horse. I highly recommend it, but I will warn you it will make you cry.
My favorite memory is when I was a little girl going downstairs on my birthday and seeing my presents in the bay window in our living room. The sun was streaming in and the grass in our yard was bright green and the sky was a perfect shade of blue. It was magic.
If you want something bad enough anything is possible.
"People don't chose dreams. Dreams choose people."
Saint Francis of Assisi as he is the protector of animals. Animals, especially horses, have saved me in my darkest hours.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Former Professional Boxer / Founder of Knockout Cancer Boxing Club
Fort Collins, CO
Heard about it through Maria and I want to help provide an opportunity to others to try again.
Travel and spend time with family
The Bible
Dad driving me to numerous boxing events as a kid!
Advice from me: Never give up despite the challenges life throws at you.
Philippians 4:13 - “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
I was born in Longbeach California, then spent most of my life in Loveland/Fort Collins. I moved to Small town Nebraska in 2004, where I met my husband, and we have lived in Nebraska ever since. We moved to Sidney Nebraska in 2017, and are now relocating, (hopefully for the last time) to Bridgeport, which is about 40 miles north of where we are.
I know that sex trafficking is a much bigger problem than people think. I have been aware of the need to educate our communities for some time now. We need to not only educate, but provide support and awareness to our small towns as well as the bigger cities. I sometimes feel like small towns are overlooked, but there is a need here as well.
My husband and I are foster parents and we have recently adopted our two girls from foster care. We enjoy spending time with family and friends, whether hosting get-togethers or just having movie night. I enjoy decorating my home, doing crafts and making jams and jellies.
I really don't have time to read, however I would say the Bible is and will always be my favorite book. I look to it for guidance and for comfort.
It probably sounds cliche, but, the days my children were born, my wedding day, the day my grandbaby was born. Family is life for me.
I have many other blessed memories, but those are some of the best.
Honestly, I used to care what everyone thought of me, and I was told once, "If people don't like what you look like or what you are doing, then they don't have to look at you." That made a difference for me in my teenage years. Now that I am pushing 50 years old, I am taking the advice of many, and taking time to relax, and not feel bad about taking time for myself.
One of mine personally is, Sunshine in, bad things out.
Well, I would say Blessed Mother Mary or Joan of Arc, because of their strength and love. But I would have to choose Saint Jerome Emiliani, Saint of abandoned children. I myself have had a calling to care for and protect children, so I feel a connection with him.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
I was born and raised in Loveland Colorado.
I first learned about A Courageous Rose when one of my friends invited me to an event that they hosted. I heard Maria’s testimony and I learned more about her organization through that. Human trafficking is something that I have been interested in working to fight against for years now. I had looked into working with some organizations before and it didn’t work out at the time. Now, God opened the doors for me to work and be apart of A Courageous Rose and I’m looking forward to seeing what He does with it.
I love reading and playing music. Also, being with my husband and my family is my happy place.
One of my favorite books is Titus, A Comrade of the Cross by Florence M. Kingsley. But I have so many other favorites as well and can’t just pick one.
Growing up, my family did a lot of traveling so that was always a lot of fun and we made some great memories with that. Another favorite memory was my now husband and I’s first date and of course, our wedding day!
Almost no decision is final or permanent; so there is no need to put as much pressure as you do on yourself about most decisions.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
BOARD OF DIRECTORS, SURVIVOR LEADER
I'm from California.
I learned about A Courageous Rose through its founder, Maria. She has been a great friend and advocate for me throughout my healing journey. I attended one of the first boxing sessions through A Courageous Rose and really enjoyed it! I think boxing can help survivors to build confidence and strength.
I enjoy reading, being outside, playing video games, and cooking/eating delicious food.
It's hard to choose a favorite! I like reading dark literature, self-help, and parenting books. Most recently I read the ACOTAR series, The Awakened Family, and Think Like A Monk. My favorite author since I was a teenager has been Chuck Palahniuk.
My favorite memory was when I was with my son in San Pedro. We picked up some ramen and drove around. We ended up finding Angels Gate Park! It was so beautiful and peaceful there. I still go over there sometimes when I need a break in nature.
Sometimes I need to be told to just chill TF out and give things time to work out on their own!! I don't think I've ever liked hearing that but in hindsight it was really good advice.
My favorite quote is part of a poem that always stuck with me. "At my back I always hear
Time's winged chariot hurrying near;
And yonder all before us lie
Deserts of vast eternity"
Which is basically the old English way of saying YOLO. We're all gonna die anyways so make the most of life.
I can't really think of any favorite saints. I was Athiest as a teenager until 2017 when I experienced a very synchronistic chain of events that led me to connect with and believe in a higher power.
VOLUNTEER
Born and raised in Fort Collins, Colorado.
I first learned about A Courageous Rose through Maria. After attending one of her events, I knew I wanted to be apart of her mission! ACR is rooted around a reality that most of society likes to ignore but yet effects millions of people. This, coupled with ACRs core values lead to me wanting to be apart of ACR's mission.
In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my family, traveling, and going on walks with my miniature pony. Dancing is nice too:)
My favorite book is C.S Lewis's The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. I might on my seventh time reading it... I don't know. You just can't go wrong with the Chronicles of Narnia.
My favorite memory is a day spent on the lake in upper Wisconsin with my family. We played all day together as my grandmother supplied everyone with snacks. At night we lit lanterns.
Holy lives are built from the fragments of holy moments.
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. – Marianne Williamson
One of my favorite saints is Saint Theresa of Avila. Although she is known as one of the “greats” within the church as she was a mystic who eventually became a doctor of the church, Saint Theresa was also very human and very flawed. Her life is a striking example of how God can meek our forceful and calculated tendencies into something wonderfully extraordinary.
In the continual rolling of our eyes and then returning to God, He forms us into something more amazing than we could have ever been on our own.
Even if you or a loved one are still in “The Life,” we can help. All communication is confidential.
A Courageous Rose is partnered with Knockout Cancer Boxing Club, located in Fort Collins, CO.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9
Responses from A Courageous Rose could take up to 72 hours. If you, or someone you know life is in danger, please contact 911.
You can also contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline, available 24-7, 1-888-373-7888 or text them at 233733
https://humantraffickinghotline.org
Colorado’s Human Trafficking Hotline 1-866-455-5075 or text them at 720-999-9724
If you need to report a non-urgent trafficking instance concerning children, please contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678
Thanks for reaching out! We will be in touch as soon as possible.
© A Courageous Rose
EIN: 92-3371531