Our History

For nearly three decades, Oklahoma faced one of the highest rates of female incarceration in the world. In 2010, the Inasmuch Foundation and United Way of Central Oklahoma brought together 25 community leaders to address the barriers facing mothers caught in cycles of trauma, poverty, and incarceration. Their work led to the launch of ReMerge in 2011, which is a comprehensive diversion program designed to help mothers build stable, healthy futures for themselves and their children.

Since then, ReMerge has graduated 241 women who parent 599 children, helping mothers return to their families and communities rather than being separated from them through incarceration. By providing treatment over incarceration, ReMerge has saved the state of Oklahoma over $59 million.

Catalyst Cookies grew from this same vision of creating opportunity through meaningful work. Launched in 2019 with support from the United Way Wayfinder grant and Boeing, Catalyst Cookies gives ReMerge mothers hands-on experience in a real business while building skills in communication, problem-solving, customer service, entrepreneurship, and marketing. Since its launch, Catalyst Cookies has remained possible through the cookies sold and the generosity of funders such as the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Expand Energy, the American Rescue Plan Act, and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services - SNAP E&T.

For many ReMerge mothers, employment is a critical step toward long-term stability. Catalyst Cookies provides an early opportunity to develop confidence, gain practical work experience, and begin building a path toward a family-sustaining career. Today, Catalyst Cookies continues to grow as part of ReMerge's broader commitment to helping mothers build the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to create lasting change for themselves and their families.