November2007

Fi rs t Step: A Fami ly V iolence Intervent ion Center

Fal l Issue: November 2007

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SOUL SHINE 2 0 0 7 A HIT !

We did it again! First Step's 12th annual Soul Shine went off without a hitch with great music, food, and fun for the entire family. This year's festival welcomed seasoned musi-cians from across the US and those in attendance can testify to the quality of the music. Here are the highlights. The Music:The Music:The Music:The Music: This was a year of musical firsts at Soul Shine. Although festival headliner Bryan Lee is a Soul Shine vet-eran, all the other acts were brand new...at least in their presentation. This year we welcomed the in-augural performance of the Soul Shine Blues House Band. Comprised of the Mercer brothers on gui-tar, Rusty Campbell on drums, Denny Miles on pi-ano, and Dave Phillips on vocals, the band provided a fitting opening to the fes-tivities. The Soul Shine Blues House Band was also the resident band at the Afterglow Event. More on that later. First Step also welcomed the Sean Carney Band for the first time this year. Sean has been to Soul Shine before but never at the front of his own band. This was the

perfect year to have Sean since he performed at Soul Shine after taking first prize at the Interna-tional Blues Challenge in Memphis. A deserved honor for a class act and a true student of the blues. Next on the bill was another Soul Shine first. Andrew Junior Boy Jones’ was one of many press packets we re-ceived in preparation for this year's Soul Shine, and he caught our ear with his guitar style and hot Texas blues. We were not disappointed. Our headlining act this year was Bryan Lee, returning by popular demand. Bryan brought the house down with his take on New Orleans meets Chi-cago blues and, once again, Soul Shine's art-ists proved that we bring the best blues to North-west Ohio. The Food:The Food:The Food:The Food: Wally's Great American BBQ brought their award winning chicken, ribs, pulled pork, and beef brisket. In addition, Soul Shine also brought back its famous red beans and rice and seafood jamba-laya courtesy of Elaine Bruggeman. As always,

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

Dear Friends, As my thoughts for this letter began to unfold, it occurred to me that I have spent almost half of my lifetime as the director of First Step. My son Mat-thew was just 8 months old when I accepted the posi-tion and he and his wife are about to bless my hus-band and I with our first grandchild. And after all these years the agency is still changing. I have learned during these past 22 years that it takes cour-age to venture beyond ac-ceptable norms in our field. During my tenure, thou-sands of men and women have come through our doors and I have sat down with them to listen to their stories, hardships and wor-ries. It is for them that our agency continues to think outside the box. As we move forward once again into uncharted territory, I am reminded of Robert Frost’s two roads. “...and we took the one less trav-eled by, and that has made all the difference.”

the food matched the atmosphere, and we think its safe to say that nobody left hungry. Everything Else:Everything Else:Everything Else:Everything Else: It was a whirlwind of activity at this year's Soul Shine. Everything from theme baskets, to raf-fles, to foo foos were available to festival go-ers. This year's festival crowd was treated to a variety of activities for the entire family and the energy of the festi-val was palpable. This year First Step also held its first annual Af-terglow Event at the Findlay Inn and Confer-ence Center. Event per-formers took the stage in an all-star jam and VIP guests, sponsors, and volunteers were treated to an intimate post-event party. All told, the amount raised this year exceeded $10,000, and First Step wishes to thank all our sponsors, sup-porters, volunteers, and festival attendees for making Soul Shine 2007 a success. We could not do it without you.

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Fall I

ssue: N

ovember 2007

FIRST STEP: A FAMILY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION CENTER PROVIDING RESOURCES THAT EMPOWER PEOPLE TO MAKE HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP CHOICES

CAN YOU FIND YOURSELF?

PICS OF SOUL SHINE 2007

____ Yes! I am interested in making a one time donation to First Step.____ Yes! I am interested in making a one time donation to First Step.____ Yes! I am interested in making a one time donation to First Step.____ Yes! I am interested in making a one time donation to First Step.

____ $25 ____ $50 ____ $75 ____ $ 100 ___ $150 ____ Other _____

____ Yes! I am interested in making a monthly donation to First Step. ____ Yes! I am interested in making a monthly donation to First Step. ____ Yes! I am interested in making a monthly donation to First Step. ____ Yes! I am interested in making a monthly donation to First Step.

____ $25 ____ $50 ____ $75 ____ $ 100 ___ $150 ____ Other _____

In Honor/Recognition ofIn Honor/Recognition ofIn Honor/Recognition ofIn Honor/Recognition of: ___________________ Donor NameDonor NameDonor NameDonor Name: ___________________________

EventEventEventEvent _____________ PhonePhonePhonePhone___________ PhonePhonePhonePhone________________

AddressAddressAddressAddress ____________________________ AddressAddressAddressAddress __________________________

Email Email Email Email ______________________________ Email Email Email Email _____________________________

Firs t Step Quar ter ly Page 5

GET INVOLVED W A Y S Y O U C A N S U P P O R T F I R S T S T E P

DONATE TO F I R S T S TE P Your charitable gifts go a long way in helping us deliver valuable services to our clients. Consider making a donation today. Also consider making a donation to First Step in honor or recognition of a family member or friend and we will send them a commemorative card on your behalf.

Volunteer OpportunitiesVolunteer OpportunitiesVolunteer OpportunitiesVolunteer Opportunities We can always use more volunteers. If you are interested in helping in this capacity please specify

which volunteer opportunity interests you by filling out the slip below and sending it back to us.

Remember to give your current contact information so we can get in touch with you.

This is our column allowing This is our column allowing This is our column allowing This is our column allowing

you to share the triumphs of you to share the triumphs of you to share the triumphs of you to share the triumphs of

our clients over their circum-our clients over their circum-our clients over their circum-our clients over their circum-

stances through their letters stances through their letters stances through their letters stances through their letters

to us; and to help you re-to us; and to help you re-to us; and to help you re-to us; and to help you re-

member that we serve real member that we serve real member that we serve real member that we serve real

people with real problems, people with real problems, people with real problems, people with real problems,

and we help them find real and we help them find real and we help them find real and we help them find real

solutions.solutions.solutions.solutions.

Dear First Step,

Because of your or-

ganization being here and

the many many support-

ers, volunteers, advo-

cates, and counselors, I

was able to have the

support, care, and un-

derstanding to break the

vicious cycle and walk

away from my husband

and not go back. [First

Step] gave me a homey

atmosphere, hot meals,

a bed, and safety when I

came to the shelter.

Without the contribu-

tions of furniture, cloth-

ing, and everything else

needed to open a safe

home there would be

many more women and

children returning to vio-

lent homes. I feel all the

contributions, support

and kindness saved

someone’s life, without a

doubt it has saved mine.

“Janice”

First Step Services

• Crisis Intervention

• Safe Residency

• Advocacy

• Case Management

• PASSAGES Educa-tional classes

• Operation Starshine

• Marital Enrichment

• Community Presenta-tions

• Internship/Volunteer Opportunities

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.

“All the

contributions,

support, and

kindness saved

someone’s life... ”

____ Yes! I am interested in volunteer opportunities at First Step.

____ Soul Shine ____ Maintenance Name _____________ Phone_____________

____ Clerical ____ Other _________ Address ______________________________

____ Outreach ____ Shelter Email ________________________________

LETTERS FROM THE HEART

First Step PRSRT-STD

AUTOCR

US POSTAGE

PAID TIFFIN, OH

PERMIT # 52

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Light Bulbs—60 watt Liquid Antibac. soap Prepaid Phone Cards Toilet Paper Paper Towels SCAT Tickets Gas Cards ($10 each) Styrofoam cups Bath Towels Dish Cloths Women’s ItemsWomen’s ItemsWomen’s ItemsWomen’s Items New Nightgowns New Socks New Underwear Personal CarePersonal CarePersonal CarePersonal Care Sanitary Napkins Tampons Hair Brushes/Combs

Tylenol/Advil Bandaids Chapstick Children’s ItemsChildren’s ItemsChildren’s ItemsChildren’s Items New Socks New Underwear New Pajamas Washable Markers OfficeOfficeOfficeOffice Lg. Manila Envelopes Post-It Notes Postage Stamps Copy Paper Ink Pens (blue & black) Dry Erase Markers (blk) Used Cell Phones Ink Cartridges HP 15

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