Courage Center wins FBI Community Leadership Award

The Courage Center in Lexington was selected as the recipient of the 2025 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award.

The organization was honored in a ceremony Aug. 12 at the FBI Columbia Field Office in Lexington. Special Agent in Charge Anish Shukla presented the award on behalf of FBI Director Kash Patel.

The Courage Center is the Midlands’ first recovery community organization supporting individuals of all ages on their journey to recovery from substance misuse and substance use disorders, according to a news release. The organization also serves families impacted by substance-related challenges.

In its work, The Courage Center strives to identify gaps in services, prevention and educational opportunities across the community. Staff regularly visit neighborhoods and unhoused communities to distribute NARCAN, fentanyl test strips, and other harm reduction and hygiene items, the release said. Additionally, the organization is developing a program for students who test positive for substances, offering life skills training, education and recovery coaching.

“The Courage Center stands at the forefront in the battle against addiction,” Shukla said in the release. “Their leadership and dedication to the cause are a true testament to the community involvement that is needed to address the complex issues resulting from substance misuse.”

The Director’s Community Leadership Award, established in 1990, recognizes individuals and organizations that make significant contributions toward combating crime, terrorism, drugs and violence in communities across the United States.