A Collective Effort to Care for Northern Nevada's Kids

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news," said Mr. Rogers, "my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'" In northern Nevada, the helpers are here, and they showed up in force this May.

At the Nevada's Children Are Not for Sale summit, dozens of nonprofits, agencies, and community leaders gathered with one shared purpose: to protect and uplift our region's most vulnerable kids. Hosted in northern Nevada, this summit made it clear that while the threats to our youth, like exploitation, trafficking, and homelessness, are daunting, we are not alone in the fight. The solution lies in collective action.

Organizations like Eddy House, STEP2, Washoe County Human Services, and the RennerVation Foundation—which were all present—are each doing vital, on-the-ground work. Eddy House is a lifeline for unhoused youth ages 18-24, offering everything from emergency shelter to job training. STEP2 supports mothers recovering from substance use, creating safe, stable homes for children. Washoe County Human Services plays a crucial role in ensuring foster youth have access to life skills and critical resources through its Independent Living Program. And the RennerVation Foundation, led by actor Jeremy Renner, invests directly in giving foster youth not just shelter, but opportunity, hope, and purpose.

At Courage Worldwide, we specialize in building safe homes and individualized plans for children who have been trafficked. But what became even more evident at the summit is that no single organization can meet every need. It takes all of us—nonprofits, public agencies, business leaders, and citizens—working in alignment to ensure our kids are not just safe, but thriving.

There's also a deeper truth at play: if we want to keep kids from being sold, abused, or discarded, we must invest in systems that catch them before they fall through the cracks. That means stable housing, access to mental health care, family support services, and above all, consistent collaboration between partners.

Equally important is the role of our elected leaders in making that collaboration possible. We are especially grateful for Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill, who continues to be a powerful voice and policy leader when it comes to protecting our youth. Commissioner Hill understands that this work takes funding, vision, and accountability, and her support is a critical bridge between intention and impact in our community.

The May summit was just the beginning. Now, we must build on that momentum. Whether you're a policymaker, a parent, a teacher, or a neighbor, there's a role for you in this movement. Look for the helpers. Be a helper. Together, we can make northern Nevada a region where every child is known, valued, and protected.

Check out the article on Reno Gazette Journal's website!