February 2009

First Step: A Family V iolence Intervent ion Center

Winter I ssue: Win ter 2009

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F I R S T S T E P L AUNCHE S YOUTH PA S S AG E S P ROGR AM

First Step has always rec-ognized that in order to implement effective pre-vention strategies, it is necessary to educate chil-dren and youth so they can choose healthy be-haviors as adults. In the late months of last year we were approached by Fostoria City Schools to provide Passages educa-tion to students in their alternative school. For nine weeks, First Step staff will go into the schools and teach the stu-dents using our Passages curriculum. We are run-ning this cycle as a pilot to monitor the success of the program and figure out what needs to be tweaked. Many of the top-

ics that are covered are borrowed directly from our adult Passages class. Our hope is that the em-phasis on critical thinking and healthy behavior will help the kids at the school reassess their goals and choose actions that are constructive. Terri Mercer, Jesse Kauff-

Letter From the DirectorLetter From the DirectorLetter From the DirectorLetter From the Director

Dear Friends, Mother Earth is awakening from her winter slumber. The promise of spring is showing her face in my garden. Likewise, new growth is budding at First Step. Last year, First Step opened its doors to male victims of domestic violence and disenfran-chised fathers. While we had offered help to women for years, there was no place for men to go. Not here, not a single facility in the state. With the help of our volunteers and donors, we were able to step up and become the first agency to offer shelter to male victims in the state of Ohio and the second in the nation. Now we are plan-ning on expanding our ser-vices even further to ad-dress the homeless situa-tion in Seneca County. As always, First Step is not afraid to go places other people have not gone. And as we move forward we invite your participation in making our community a better place.

Esuga Abaya facilitates Passages at Fostoria High SchoolEsuga Abaya facilitates Passages at Fostoria High SchoolEsuga Abaya facilitates Passages at Fostoria High SchoolEsuga Abaya facilitates Passages at Fostoria High School

F I R ST STEP WELCOMES NEW STAFF MEMBER

First Step is proud to welcome Jesse Kauff-man to our staff as lead case manager for The Bridge and First Step’s

youth programs. Jesse has more than five years experience with youth as a Young Life leader and he has experience with residential management as a property manager in Bowling Green. Part of his responsibilities in-clude case management for our male clients in shelter, facilitating First Step’s youth Passages program, and First Step’s

men’s support group. Jesse is a graduate of Bowling Green State Uni-versity where he received his degree in education. “I’m grateful for the op-portunity to invest in peo-ple’s lives, that’s part of what drew me to First Step” said Jesse. As the newest addition to our staff, we look forward to Jesse’s contribution.

Jesse KauffmanJesse KauffmanJesse KauffmanJesse Kauffman

man, and Esuga Abaya will help facilitate the class each week. We hope to use this new venture as a jumping off point in initiating services for youth and teens in our community and continuing to focus on prevention and edu-cation.

Page 2 Winter Issue: Winter 2009

FIRST STEP: A FAMILY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION CENTER

PROVIDING RESOURCES THAT EMPOWER PEOPLE TO MAKE HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP CHOICES

Dear Friends,

I came to First Step

with my two girls and two

bags of clothes. In my short

time here I’ve realized that

there are still good people in

the world that care for no rea-

son, not for glory or fame, just

because. While I’ve been here

First Step has gone beyond

the call of duty to make

sure my girls and I had eve-

rything we needed, be it

transportation, clothes,

shelter, or just a caring ear.

All of this was done with

dignity and respect. I also

had the opportunity to at-

tend Passages, a class

that teaches about your-

self and the relationships

in your life. Relationships

between you and your chil-

dren, and you and your

significant other. In this

class I’ve learned how to

care about myself and my

relationships. I attended

art therapy and they also

helped me with financial

planning. Now it’s time for

me to say goodbye. I have a

home for my girls and I have

to say this is one of the

hardest goodbyes I’ve ever

had to say because even

though this is a “shelter” I

felt at home. Thank you eve-

ryone at First Step for mak-

ing one of the hardest times

in my life such a positive

experience.

Sincerely,

Lost...but now found.

Q Q Q Q

F I R S T S T E P L A UNCHE S NEW HOME L E S S S E R V I C E S

QUEENIE’S LETTER

We see it on the news every night – people losing their homes, families in financial crisis. But there are people who have lived with the fear and uncer-tainty of homelessness before the current crisis. In rural populations like ours, the homeless com-munity isn't as visible as it is in inner cities. Here, homelessness is families living doubled up, two or three families living to-gether, or moving from one relative or friend to the next again and again, all bound by the thread of poverty – the lack of a job or a living wage and af-fordable housing traps them in an endless cycle of desperation and dys-

function. Because we're a domestic violence shelter, we've had to say no when a family calls, even when we have an empty bed and they have nowhere to call home. And the need has increased as the economy tumbles. Since the beginning of this year we have had 12 refer-rals for homeless shelter. So over the past year, First Step talked with other agen-cies and officials in the com-munity about the possibility of expanding our shelter ser-vices to include more than just victims of domestic vio-lence and at the beginning of the year, First Step set aside space in our shelter specifically for homeless individuals and their chil-dren. Already in March we

sheltered three households who are homeless. Next, we began working with local offi-cials and agencies to count the homeless population and find out how serious the situation has become. Once we've quantified the problem, we hope to create a strategic plan to address the problem in a holistic way. Our goal is to bring as many people as possible to the table and come up with effective long-term solutions. To give a face to the issue as we experience it we have included a letter from one of the families in shelter. Queenie is just one example of people caught in unfortunate circumstances who have been able to turn their lives around because of First Step.

First Step Services

• Crisis Intervention

• Safe Residency

• Advocacy

• Case Management

• PASSAGES Educational classes

• Operation Starshine

• Marital Enrichment

• Community Presenta-tions

• Internship/Volunteer Op-portunities

Are you happy? Do you want to make your mar-riage stronger? Do you want to become a better parent? First Step can help you! Call today and find out how First Step services can help you and your family.

www.firststepweb.org

Firs t Step Quar ter ly Page 5

“...even though ...even though ...even though ...even though

this is a ‘shelter’ this is a ‘shelter’ this is a ‘shelter’ this is a ‘shelter’

I felt at homeI felt at homeI felt at homeI felt at home”

February 2009 marked the one year anniversary of a new service at First Step: The Bridge shelter for men. When we first consid-ered providing shelter for male victims and dis-enfranchised fathers, there was only a general understanding of what the final program would actually look like. In fact, First Step purposely set the program guidelines loosely to accommodate any changes midstride. After over one year of serving clients through The Bridge, we feel even more convinced of the

need to serve men and fathers in our community. When we opened The Bridge, we knew it would be a challenge to stretch an already thin staff to offer services away from the main shelter. The cli-ents need one-on-one help and staff who can be available quickly. As we've learned with the women's shelter, the most efficient and effective services are delivered by having the staff on site. To address this, First Step is discuss-ing having a new shelter built on site that would provide men’s shelter for victims of domestic vio-

lence. After an initial brainstorming session, First Step met with a rep-resentative from Architec-ture for Humanity, a non-profit firm that designs buildings for charitable organizations all over the world. We are very excited about what they have come up with so far. (see more below) In mid-March, the agency will have brainstorming ses-sions with our board and we hope to begin making final determinations about a building cam-paign. More will be re-vealed as our vision co-heres.

F I R S T S T E P TO D I S C U S S B U I L D I N G C AM P A I GN

Architecture for Humanity is a non profit or-ganization that brings architectural expertise and services to communities in need. They have projects all over the world and strive to make ethical, environmental, and aesthetic considerations a fundamental part of the de-sign process. In our preliminary meetings with AFH First Step has been very impressed with their expertise, their ideas, and their ethos. Al-ready we have received preliminary designs which we will continue to tweak as the project develops. You can check out a 3-D mock up of the potential addition above. Hint: its circled.

“F IRST STEP NEEDS . . .” L I ST

First Step PRSRT-STD

AUTOCR

US POSTAGE

PAID TIFFIN, OH

PERMIT # 52

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