We are pleased to announce a new event for 2023: Reno Soup Week. January is National Soup Month, and STEP2 invites the community to celebrate this with a warm and wonderful week of tasty soup both at home and out in the community at local establishments while supporting their efforts to break the cycle of addiction and violence in families. “We are thrilled to launch this new event in 2023, not only to raise awareness about our organization, but also to celebrate and support some of our wonderful local food and drink establishments,” said Mari Hutchinson, CEO of STEP2. “And, best of all, we g ..read more

My name is Sara. I lost my husband in a car accident, my mother to alcoholism and my three children to CPS. I had become another faceless drug user, addicted and hiding in an isolated and lonely world. I will be the first to admit, I sought comfort in drugs. I lost sight of what life could have offered after losing it all. My entire life was filled with disappointment and tragedy. Growing up in a family where addiction was present led to my very destruction. I resented my mother and her addicted and abusive boyfriend for what they put me through so I bottled my emotions and learned how to nu ..read more

Carisa and John Zink, owners of IT Avalon and founders of The Shirley Ann Foundation, Inc., moved to Reno four months ago from the Bay Area and have jumped right into giving back to the community by choosing to donate $10,000 to STEP2 through their foundation.  The Shirley Ann Foundation is committed to empowering women and children within their community and providing an alliance with those who are fighting for a second chance. Raised by two strong and self-sacrificing women, the Zinks realize bravery is not always accessible and sometimes, strength wavers. “The Shirley Ann Foundation is ..read more

STEP2, a local non-profit in Reno, Nevada, received a $22,500 Community Fund grant from the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada. STEP2 provides compassionate, flexible, individualized treatment programs for chemically dependent women in a safe environment, respecting the client and her personal needs while utilizing current addiction and mental health protocols.  Approximately 97% of the women who seek services through STEP2 report being the victims of domestic and/or sexual violence.  STEP2 will use the funding received from the Community Foundation to provide shelter, group and ..read more

STEP2, a private, local non-profit organization providing gender-specific long-term treatment services for substance use disorders, domestic violence intervention and education, and trauma services, is pleased to announce the appointment of Brian Cassidy as President of its Board of Directors.  Cassidy, who joined the STEP2 Board in 2018, succeeds JJ Jarzynka. “It’s been a privilege to serve as the President of the Board of Directors for the best non-profit in northern Nevada,” said Jarzynka.  “Thank you to the STEP2 staff, our amazing volunteers and all who have supported and contin ..read more

I am number 7 of 8 kids and I had a good childhood. Both of my parents were well educated. I joined the military to pay off my nursing degree and I graduated valedictorian of my class. I did 4 tours of conduct in the Marine Corp and served 8 years total. I’ve been shot twice, stabbed twice and have broken many bones. I was stationed nowhere good. Camp Pendleton was the highlight of places I lived. I started drinking in the military … because that’s what you did. If you didn’t smoke, you didn’t get a break. We drank frequently and everywhere. I was in charge of medical supplies while I was s ..read more

My name is Linda. I am 44 years old and I have 3 kids that are the ages of 18, 10 and 2. I first experienced drugs at the age of 11 years old when my best friend’s mom gave us meth. I was pretty much on my own, with little or no help or support. I had a lot of anger inside of me. My best friend’s mom was the only person that I had in my life. It was just me, her, and my best friend. Since she was the one giving us drugs, I thought that doing drugs was okay. I did not realize what drugs would be doing to my life. Drugs just helped me going through the moments. I finally realized that I needed ..read more

A Night out in Reno (NOIR) will be elegant, yet tantalizing.  This will be a night Reno will never want to end. It is a night to dress up, dance, be thrilled, entertained, laugh, give back and relax, all while surrounding yourself with Reno’s finest individuals. The event is being held at the Reno Ballroom on March 28th, 2020 and is benefiting STEP2, a local non-profit that provides gender-specific long-term treatment services for substance use disorders, domestic violence intervention and education, and trauma service. “We are thrilled to have been chosen as the beneficiary of this exci ..read more