As October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto is drawing attention to the essential programs available to women in crisis throughout Nevada.

On Friday, Cortez Masto visited STEP2 Reno, a private non-profit organization that offers gender-specific long-term treatment services for substance use disorders, domestic violence intervention, and education and trauma services.

The organization's mission is to provide women with the necessary treatment and support without having to choose between being a mother and receiving substance abuse treatment.

Cortez Masto emphasized that domestic abuse and substance use often co-occur in violent situations.

During her visit, Cortez Masto toured STEP2's newly improved Transitional Housing, the Lighthouse campus, which offers 25 cottages ranging from one to three bedrooms.

After completing residential treatment, women are eligible to move into one of these cottages. This living space gives women the opportunity to continue their treatment while living with their children, and work towards building a stronger life in recovery.

"Help them, support them, and make them independent and survivors," said  Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NEV).

In these cottages, women reconnect with their children while working with a team at STEP2 to find steady employment. It sets the foundation for women live a strong and healthy life in recovery.

"So a woman and her children are able to move into a cottage and continue to do outpatient services while mom goes back to work and learns how to live a successful life in recovery. And most families will live in the cottage for about 9 months to a year," explained Hutchinson.

Cortez Masto is working to secure federal funding for STEP2 and other crucial programs in Congress.

In 2022, the Justice Department made $225 million dollars in grants available through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and millions more were secured through the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). These funds will be allocated to organizations that provide services and support to women and children affected by domestic violence and other crimes.

Cortez Masto's efforts in Congress aim to ensure that these programs have the necessary resources to continue providing essential services to those in need.

"How we provide that essential funding whether it is through VAWA funding or VOCA or funding that comes at all levels from Medicaid dollars as well, and that's why it's important that there is this partnership at a federal level. My goal, which this is in an area I've worked in so long, is to make sure there are no barriers to accessing those funds to help women," said Cortez Masto.

Mari Hutchinson, the CEO of STEP2 Reno, emphasizes that the organization is committed to providing treatment and support to all women in need, regardless of their ability to pay. No woman seeking help will ever be turned away from STEP2 due to financial constraints. 

"We will find a way for that woman to access services here without financial resources, but that's why we are so heavily reliant on VOWA and VOCA and programs like that," said Hutchinson.

Since its establishment 37 years ago, STEP2 has helped 4,850 women successfully complete their programs. This is a testament to STEP2's work, which extends beyond the individual women they serve, positively impacting families and communities throughout Nevada.