While Courage Worldwide got fawning coverage from several local television stations for hosting a summit at UNR in May and then for recently opening a new complex to help child survivors of sex trafficking, a look back nearly a decade ago points to much less flattering exposes by the Sacramento Bee.
The Courage Worldwide website indicates it purchased a 40-acre property in April to provide care for “18 children across three cottages, with our first phase of implementation providing immediate housing for six residents.”
The website states it also has two locations with special programs in Tanzania, and one previously in Northern California.
“State policy change and regulatory issues transitioned the minor home to an over-18 home in 2017 where 15 over-18 survivors were served. The home closed in 2020 due to residents transitioning out of the program and the COVID pandemic occurring. These previous residents continue to receive resources and services from Courage Worldwide as they progress in their healing journeys,” the website indicates as to its California closure.
Recent tax filings have Jennifer Williamson listed as Secretary for the nonprofit having a yearly compensation of $100,000 with overall yearly revenues and expenses at about $900,000. On the website, Jenny Williamson is listed as CEO and Founder. Her bio says she moved to northern Nevada with her husband Michael, and that they co-own Williamson Energy, an energy consulting business.
One recent local television report pointed to partnerships with the Eddy House, the HEAT division of Reno law enforcement, and UNR’s School of Social Work. Another tv story with a link to a donation page indicated those staying at the cottages would be living there full-time, while being home schooled.
Pastors Joel and Stephanie Midthun applauded one of the reports on social media, while Williamson has been asking for votes in the current Scheels Nominate Your NonProfit awards competition.
A Courage Worldwide Facebook post from November 10th indicates “We’re still reliving the joy from our Courage House Northern Nevada grand opening.” Its Facebook page has a headquarters address in Truckee.
On Indeed, there’s a Reno-based residential supervisor / coach position for $20 to $25 an hour.
Rewind nine years ago though, and it was a wholly different tune in articles by the Sacramento Bee.
“No Turkey trot. Donors slip away from sex trafficking nonprofit,” read one headline. “‘Spiritual warfare,’ ‘demonic attacks.’ The role religion played in home for sex-trafficking victims,” read another.
The articles pointed out that in 2016 the nonprofit, started in 2005 with a “vision” from God, saw Williamson close a six-bed facility for girls under 18 due to being cited for state violations including inadequate staffing levels and no current administrator working at the home.
A former employee told the Bee the nonprofit had been cited over a dozen times in the first half of 2016, with other violations such as breaching privacy. Previously the reports indicated the nonprofit had been cited for not respecting residents’ freedom of religion and forcing them to attend church services every week.
Other former employees pointed to a volatile environment with high turnover among staff, unexpected firings and micromanaging, as well as recurring complaints on the use of identifiable images of girls staying at the home being posted on social media.
One licensed therapist was quoted as saying the situation was “abusive.” The article indicated previous clients were enrolled by social workers or probation officers netting the facility about $9,000 a month per girl in government support.
In the articles, Williamson called the citations and accusations baseless, absurd and unfair. We received an anonymous email which prompted us to look into this matter.