First Step A Response To Domestic Violence Inc

FIRST STEP: A RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE'S MISSION IS EMPOWERING SURVIVORS TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE AND ABUSE IN THEIR LIVES. THE VISION OF FIRST STEP: A RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS A COMMUNITY FREE OF ABUSE. FIRST STEP PROVIDES FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL SERVICES TO SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THEIR CHILDREN. FIRST STEP'S SERVICES INCLUDE: 24-HOUR CRISIS HOTLINE, PLANNING FOR SAFETY, EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION AND SHELTER, LEGAL ADVOCACY AND COURT ACCOMPANIMENT, FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT, HOUSING ADVOCACY, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, SUPPORT GROUP, INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, AND CHILDREN'S SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EMERGENCY SHELTER: FIRST STEP PROVIDES EMERGENCY, TEMPORARY SHELTER TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THEIR MINOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE NO OTHER SAFE PLACE TO STAY. INDIVIDUALS BEING SHELTERED BY FIRST STEP ARE PROVIDED A SAFE PLACE TO SLEEP AND LIVING AREA, LINENS/TOWELS, BATHROOM, TELEVISION, COMPUTER, INTERNET/WIFI ACCESS, LAUNDRY FACILITY, KITCHENS (FOOD STORAGE AND PREPARATION). GUESTS ARE PROVIDED ITEMS TO MEET THEIR BASIC NEEDS (E.G. FOOD, CLOTHING, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, PERSONAL ITEMS, GIFT CARDS AND DISINFECTING/CLEANING/HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES). CASE MANAGEMENT, ADVOCACY, AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES ARE OFFERED TO ALL ADULT AND CHILD GUESTS. ALL OF FIRST STEP'S SERVICES ARE FREE OF CHARGE AND CONFIDENTIAL. 60% OF DIRECT SERVICES EXPENSES WENT TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EMERGENCY SHELTER SERVICES. FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2023, FIRST STEP PROVIDED SHELTER SERVICES TO 46 ADULTS AND 25 CHILDREN.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT SERVICES: FIRST STEP PROVIDES SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE AND THEIR CHILDREN (BOTH RESIDENTS OF THE SHELTER AND NON-RESIDENTS). THESE SERVICES INCLUDE; CRISIS HOTLINE, SAFETY PLANNING, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADULT SUPPORT GROUP, CHILDREN'S ACTIVITY AND HOMEWORK GROUPS, INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, COURT ACCOMPANIMENT/LEGAL ADVOCACY SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE FINDING AND OBTAINING COMMUNITY RESOURCES, EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING. FIRST STEP ALSO OFFERS FOLLOW-UP SUPPORT SERVICES. FIRST STEP SERVICES ARE FREE OF CHARGE AND CONFIDENTIAL. FOR YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2023 FIRST STEP PROVIDED SUPPORTIVE ADVOCACY SERVICES TO 197 ADULT SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND 41 CHILDREN, 30% OF DIRECT SERVICE EXPENSES WENT TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT SERVICES.

RAPID RE-HOUSING PROGRAM: FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR RENT DEPOSITS, UTILITY DEPOSITS, RENTAL APPLICATION FEES, AND/OR SHORT-TERM RENT TO ASSIST VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TO ASSIST VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERED BY THE PROGRAM TO EXIT TO PERMANENT HOUSING. ASSISTANCE CAN CONTINUE FOR NO MORE THAN 24 MONTHS AND IS PAID DIRECTLY TO THE LANDLORDS, PROPERTY MANAGERS AND/OR UTILITY COMPANY. RAPID RE-HOUSING PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE STAFF TIME ON THE PROJECT. FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2023, THE ORGANIZATION ASSISTED 11 HOUSEHOLDS (11 ADULT VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND 7 CHILDREN) THROUGH THIS RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 13% OF DIRECT SERVICE EXPENSES WENT TO HOUSING ADVOCACY SERVICES AND RAPID RE-HOUSING PROGRAM ASSISTANCE.