At Best of Best Review, we encounter hundreds of powerful initiatives every year—but few resonate as deeply as A Contagious Smile and A Contagious Smile Academy. After reviewing countless nominations, analyzing heartfelt testimonials, and evaluating every detail against our strictest criteria, we are proud to name A Contagious Smile the Best Support Network for Special Needs Families in 2025.

A Mission Born from Survival, Fueled by Service

A Contagious Smile isn’t your typical academy or support platform—it’s a living, breathing testament to what hope can do. Founded by Victoria Cuore, a survivor of unspeakable domestic violence and a left-arm amputee who’s endured over 100 surgeries, this movement was never built for accolades—it was born from necessity. When the world tried to silence her, Victoria built something that now speaks volumes for thousands.

Why They Rose Above the Rest

Our selection process was rigorous. We looked at:

• Authenticity and Trustworthiness

• User-Centered Course Design

• Emotional Intelligence and Trauma-Informed Content

• Community Impact

• Support for Underrepresented Groups

• Social Media and Outreach Strategy

• Cost Accessibility and Inclusiveness

• Continual Content Expansion

• Multi-generational Relevance

• Volunteer-Led Operation Without Profit Motive

And A Contagious Smile checked every box—and then some.

Their academy doesn’t teach from textbooks. They teach from the trenches. Whether it’s a parent in an ER at 2 a.m., a teen navigating grief, or a veteran searching for civilian identity, this platform is real support for real people.

Meet the Heart Behind the Mission

This isn't a corporation—it's a family. Victoria leads alongside her special needs daughter and husband, a veteran and former law enforcement officer. Together, they serve without compensation. Their life is their legacy—and this academy is its living extension.

What Makes A Contagious Smile Different?

• Stucco Squad: Celebrates special needs kids through creativity, laughter, and pride.

• Limitless Recovery: Helps teens and adults through grief, trauma, addiction, and divorce.

• Safe Haven Phoenix: Empowers survivors to rise after abuse.

• Valor Circle: Honors veterans with compassion and actionable resources.

• Social Media Playbook: Shows how they grew a global community from scratch—no fluff, just facts.

All courses are free or low-cost, with no one ever turned away. This isn’t about margins. It’s about missions.

In Their Words

“We don’t teach from textbooks — we teach from the trenches.”
“People don’t need to be saved. They need to be seen, heard, and empowered.”
“You don’t need to be perfect to start healing. You just need someone who understands what it’s like to hurt and still believe in hope.”

Recognized by the Nation, Trusted by Thousands

With features on FOX, NBC, CBS, Women’s Week, and Insider Weekly—which honored Victoria as the 2025 Best Transformative Trauma Advocate for Domestic Violence—the spotlight is growing brighter. But for A Contagious Smile, the real victory is every message that says, “You gave me the strength to try again.”

Why This Award Matters

Choosing the Best Support Network for Special Needs Families wasn't easy. But the clarity came when we saw not just the what of A Contagious Smile—but the why. Because when a platform is built not for profit, but from personal pain and unconditional love, it becomes more than a service.

It becomes a sanctuary.

Pros of A Contagious Smile:

• Trauma-informed, lived-experience-based curriculum

• Free and low-cost access for all

• Weekly new courses and resources

• Hugely inclusive: survivors, veterans, special needs families, teens

• Built by a survivor, for survivors

• Strong, values-driven leadership

• Global reach and social proof via millions of followers

• Personalized, relatable, real-world education

• No fluff — just heart, healing, and hope

Visit Their Website
Explore The Academy
Top-Ranked Podcast
Books by Victoria Cuore
Stucco Squad Facebook Group
Instagram
TikTok