Courage Worldwide Announces Heartbreaking Closure of Courage House Nevada Following Unexpected Accreditation Delay

COURAGE WORLDWIDE, INC.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  |  October 29, 2026

After nearly $2 million in investment and a state investigation finding no regulatory deficiencies, the nonprofit will close its Nevada facility while continuing its work in East Africa.

RENO, NEVADA — Courage Worldwide, Inc., a nonprofit organization serving survivors of sex trafficking for more than 20 years, announced that its Governing Board unanimously voted to authorize the orderly closure of Courage House Nevada, a licensed Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) serving minor girls who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation.

The decision comes just months after the organization opened in April 2026, following extensive efforts to acquire, develop, staff and license its 40-acre campus in northern Nevada.

“This is one of the most heartbreaking decisions we have had to make in our more than 20 years of serving survivors of sex trafficking,” said Jenny Williamson, Founder and CEO of Courage Worldwide. “We invested nearly $2 million, navigated an incredibly complex licensing process, hired and trained dedicated professionals, and finally opened our doors to children who desperately needed specialized care. To have come this far, only to close because we could not sustain the financial burden while waiting for accreditation and reimbursement, is devastating.”

State Investigation Found No Regulatory Deficiencies

On October 7, 2026, the Nevada Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance conducted a complaint investigation at Courage House Nevada. The review included clinical records, staffing, resident rights, educational and therapeutic programming, and inspections of the facility and animal enclosures.

The state’s written findings concluded: “Complaint #NV3201969, could not be substantiated. No regulatory deficiencies could be identified.” The report further stated: “There were no regulatory deficiencies identified. No further action is necessary.”

“Receiving such a positive outcome from the state’s investigation made this decision even more difficult,” Williamson said. “Our team worked tirelessly to establish a safe, compassionate, and professionally operated program. We were proud of the program we had built and hopeful about its future.”

The decision to close is financial and is unrelated to the complaint investigation.

An Unexpected Accreditation Delay

Courage House Nevada received its PRTF license on April 3, 2026, and welcomed its first resident shortly thereafter. Because national accreditation is a prerequisite to the Medicaid reimbursement approval process for the program, Courage Worldwide funded the majority of its expenses through private donations and limited public support while awaiting accreditation.

The CARF accreditation survey was scheduled for October 22–23, 2026. Days before the survey, CARF canceled because of a conflict involving its assigned surveyor. Courage Worldwide was informed that the survey could not be rescheduled during the remainder of 2026 and that no date could yet be provided for 2027.

With operating expenses of approximately $115,000 per month, the unexpected delay created a potentially lengthy additional period without Medicaid reimbursement. The organization determined it could not responsibly continue operations without a reliable funding source or accreditation timeline.

Every Effort Made to Keep the Doors Open

Before voting to close, Courage Worldwide pursued emergency funding requests to state and county officials, outreach to the Governor’s Office, more than 20 national grant applications, private fundraising, and discussions with two local nonprofits about potential partnerships. Sufficient bridge funding was not secured.

“We did everything we knew to do to keep Courage House Nevada open,” Williamson said. “We reached out to government leaders, foundations, donors, and other nonprofit organizations. But a licensed psychiatric residential treatment facility requires significant staffing and clinical resources around the clock, regardless of how many children are in residence.”

The organization is working with appropriate authorities to ensure a safe, clinically appropriate transition for the resident remaining in its care. It will complete required closure procedures before ceasing operations and preparing the property for sale.

Courage Worldwide’s Mission Continues in East Africa

While the closure of Courage House Nevada marks a painful chapter, Courage Worldwide continues its work in Tanzania, where it operates three campuses caring for approximately 80 residents and 25 of their children, supported by 75 employees.

Its programs include residential care, education, counseling, vocational development and long-term support. Twenty residents are currently attending college, pursuing degrees and preparing for careers and independent futures. The organization also operates the Courage Café, creating opportunities for vocational training, employment and economic empowerment.

Courage Worldwide is developing plans to expand into Kenya over the next two to three years, building on its work in Tanzania to reach additional young people who have experienced trafficking and exploitation.

“Although we are deeply saddened by the closure of Courage House Nevada, I want our community to know that Courage Worldwide is not closing,” Williamson said. “Our work in Tanzania continues, and we are looking ahead to Kenya. We have watched young women who once had very little hope become students, mothers, leaders and professionals. These stories remind us why we began this journey and why we will continue.”

Gratitude, Heartbreak and Hope

Courage Worldwide expressed gratitude to employees, volunteers, donors, Board members, public agencies and community supporters who helped bring Courage House Nevada to life.

“Our hearts are heavy, not only because of the tremendous investment of time, resources and love that went into opening Courage House Nevada, but because the need for specialized residential care has not gone away,” Williamson said. “While this is not the ending we prayed for in Nevada, it is not the end of Courage Worldwide’s story. Our doors may be closing in Nevada, but our hearts and our mission remain wide open.”

About Courage Worldwide

Courage Worldwide, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing safe homes, healing, education and hope to children and young people who have experienced sex trafficking. For more than 20 years, it has helped survivors discover their value, restore their dignity and pursue futures filled with purpose. Courage Worldwide operates three campuses in Tanzania, serves approximately 80 residents and 25 of their children, employs 75 staff, and supports 20 residents attending college. Its programs include the Courage Café, and it is planning future expansion into Kenya.

Media Contact: Jenny Williamson  |  Founder & CEO  |  Courage Worldwide, Inc.  |  www.courageworldwide.org