Reno, Nev. (April 22, 2025) – Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada (CCNN) has been awarded the Nevada Local Justice Reinvestment grant to support and expand two of its critical reentry/recovery and support programs—Battle Born Housing Plus (BBH+) and St. Marguerite Support Services (SMSS)—which are designed to reduce recidivism, promote recovery, provide immediate basic needs and support long-term reintegration services to primarily incarcerated men in northern Nevada.
“Receiving this grant ensures that we can not only provide services, but second chances,” said Marie Baxter, CEO of Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada. “Our model has proven successful because we meet people where they are—many with no support system—and help them rebuild their lives with dignity, structure, and hope. The ripple effect reaches beyond the individual: many have reconnected with family, secured stable employment, and are now contributing positively to our community. This is how we create lasting change—one person at a time.”
For context, Nevada’s recidivism rate stands at 24.36% for individuals released in 2017, with Washoe County experiencing even higher rates—approximately 30% of male inmates return to custody within three years. In the past year, Washoe County’s jail has seen a noticeable increase in its male inmate population, driven largely by more serious offenses and supervision revocations.
The funding, which aims to cut recidivism among participants by 20% within the grant period, will allow CCNN to continue its mission of addressing the root causes of poverty by providing comprehensive, individual-centric services that meet both immediate and long-term needs of those reentering the community.
BBH+ offers a structured, sober-living environment for men, including parolees and individuals recently released from incarceration. The program emphasizes a structured, supportive environment where participants can focus on their recovery while gaining the skills and resources necessary for long-term sobriety and successful reintegration into the community.
Through a partnership with Vitality Unlimited, participants have on-site access to mental health, behavioral health, and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, all of which are tracked using an integrated electronic health records system to ensure continuity of care and public safety.
SMSS, located just steps from the Nevada Parole and Probation office, provides walk-in support services for individuals reentering society. Licensed social workers and case managers help meet urgent needs—food, hygiene products, transportation, housing referrals, job assistance, and identification documents—while connecting clients with long-term resources like education, employment readiness, and healthcare. Special care is given to recently released women, who are referred to trusted partners including The Empowerment Center, STEP2, and Awaken.
Together, these programs work to reduce recidivism by addressing both the systemic and personal barriers individuals face post-incarceration.
“Through compassionate, comprehensive care and strong community partnerships, Catholic Charities continues to build a safer, more equitable Northern Nevada,” added Baxter.
This project was funded in whole or in part by the Nevada Local Justice Reinvestment Grant Program (24NLJR15), administered by the Nevada Department of Sentencing Policy.
For more information about Catholic Charities, visit ccsnn.org
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About Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada:
Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada, Established in 1941, Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada (CCNN) is a Nevada-based, 501(c) (3) tax-exempt, non-profit corporation operating human service programs including: St. Vincent’s Dining Room, St. Vincent’s Food Pantry, St. Marguerite’s Support Services, Battle Born Housing Plus, Immigration Legal Services and others. CCNN is committed to providing help and creating hope in our community. From infants to seniors, CCNN assists approximately 40,000 people per month in northern Nevada.
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Tiffany East, tiffany@tiffanyeastpr.com
775-250-8092
