First Step is a phenomenal organization with a dynamic staff. I am a surivor who now thrives as a result of this organization and the positive impact of the therapy I received from one of their inc... more
FIRST STEP-WESTERN WAYNE COUNTY PROJECT ON DOMESTIC ASSULT
Invite reviews
First Step is a wonderful organization filled with altruistic people who have changed our society by subtly educating communities on the negative effect of sexual violence and other types of intimate terrorism. Many of the counselors are gifted people in heart and counseling. However, the organization should see the protection of its volunteers as its number one priority. Perhaps the organization should align themselves with Attorneys who understand and defend victims. As First Step has already put forth the concept that Victims are often re-traumatized by the legal system and its processes and formal procedures. Advocacy groups should avoid permeating re-traumatization implicitly or explicitly through its processes and procedures respectively.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
becoming a thriver, paying it forward and moving on in my life.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Hire employees that are intellectually diverse, even if they are all survivors, be sure at least half of them bring diverse skillsets such as legal expertise, spiritual principles or other asset-builders for the organization.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Unsure
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Likely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
Be more community inclusive and adapt to professional levels of protection for volunteers as well as employees as they all represent the organization and can speak about the organization.
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
I learned many new skills and most important, I learned to have empathy for victims in place of sympathy. Victims are hurt people and tend to hurt others initially. I know this because I too am a survivor, but I learned that giving a person a resource like First Step, and letting them go, helps them more than anything else. Once they learn, if they choose to, about themselves and how to treat others, it may be safe to become friends in the future.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
Effective.
First Step is a phenomenal organization with a dynamic staff. I am a surivor who now thrives as a result of this organization and the positive impact of the therapy I received from one of their incredible counselors. It has been a privilege to be a client, donor, and promoter of this organization.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Counseling.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Hire intellectually diverse staff.
First Step, has made an impact on domestic violence victims, that need assistants with intervention and prevention techiques. Staff and volunteers are eager to help! I wish First Step the best in future developments and advancements within the communities it services.
MIMI
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I assisted with clerical support. I found that First Step was truly committed with helping victims become victors.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I wouldn't make any changes the board of directors have done an excellent job on conducting business with ethical practices.
Good Morning!
I have been affiliated with Frist Step for six years. The organization is dedicated to assisting women and children during a most difficult time in their life and empowering them to a life of peace and independence.
I have visited the shelter many times and each time I am overwhelmed by the need in our communities. I am grateful that First Step is there, as it is often the only option for women to get out of an abusive situation and get the guidance and emotional support they need to change their lives.
First Step is a wonderful organization that has made a difference in the lives of many women and children.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Phillips
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have witnessed the activty in the shelter.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Expand the shelter and services to accommodate more women.
I have been a volunteer with First Step for nearly 5 years. This wonderful organization provides help to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, and works to promote peaceful homes and families and healthy relationships. It is staffed with some of the most dedicated, caring individuals I have ever had the honor to meet. I cannot praise this organization, its people, or its vital work too highly.
First Step is tireless in supporting its mission. In addition to their "regular" work of running a 24-hour help-line for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, counseling and advocating for victims, providing temporary shelter and assistance, and educating the community, they have undertake several huge projects in the past few years. They recently completed a capital campaign to finance a new "Family Center", a shelter to safely house victims of domestic violence and their children who are trying to leave their abusive environments. They have also instituted a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program, which allows rape victims to have professional forensic exams at a First Step facility. This provides a caring, supportive environment after the trauma of a sexual assault, while facilitating the collection of evidence to prosecute the attacker.
The miracle of First Step is that it manages to provide all these services with such limited full-time staff and funding. By actively and effectively engaging the community, it manages to stretch its limited resources and provide an amazing level of service. It runs a well-organized volunteer program, whereby volunteers are trained and utilized to supplement its full-time workforce by staffing the 24-hour hotline, responding to crisis calls, nurturing children from abusive households, staffing information booths, etc.. It also coordinates a number of community fundraising activities, to provide the resources necessary to continue its vital work.
Peaceful homes are the building-blocks to a peaceful society. Everyone deserves to be safe in their own home, at the very minimum. It is absolutely critical to break the cycle of domestic violence and abusive relationships which pervades our society. First Step is doing its utmost to ensure that this happens.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I've observed them in action.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I am thoroughly impressed with the way this organization is run, and the level of service it provides with limited resources.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
First Step has empowered victims of domestic violence to improve their lives. They provide housing when needed for the abused victims and their children as well as counseling, clothes and food. Their staff and volunteers work endless hours raising the funds needed to provide this service. They should all be commended!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
volunteering.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
encourage everyone to provide support for First Step!
The employees of United Home Health Services, a not-for-profit home care company located in Canton Michigan, donated $600 worth of clothes and gift cards to First Step in December 2010 as part of their annual community outreach. "Our employees have seen First Step in action and have attended several of their events and we are always impressed with the vast array of services this organization provides" notes UHHS President Penny Rhein. "The leadership, passion, and dedication of First Step employees and volunteers is awe-inspiring. We whole-heartedly support their mission!"
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
We've attended several events and follow their mission in the media.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Nothing at this time
First Step gave me the grounding in rebuilding my life from scratch after receiving my gender based asylum as a victim of domestic violence. Their various services helped me get my self esteem and confidence back to become a non-traditional student at Wayne State University Law School and now currently help set up Solution Oriented Domestic Violence Prevention Court (SODVPC) under 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County, MI. The counseling that I received helped me see my own potential and work towards being a change that I want other survivors to see. I want to personify Gandhi's saying "You must be the change you want to see in the world." If others can see what I am able to accomplish with the help of First Step, I believe that other survivors will be inspired to achieve their own potential and rebuild their shattered lives.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
In my own life that gave me the strength and courage to walk out in this new world and make my life a vehicle of change.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I want people to see what a good and stable organization can do to help people who really need the help to make a difference in other's lives.
First-Step has been a great partner with the Lincoln Park Police Department in helping victims of domestic violence. The victims know that they have an ally at a very difficult time in their life. The victims are given support and information necessary to move forward with their lives.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Through word of mouth of the victims that were helped and by women finding the stregnth to stand up to their abusers.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Give it additional resources to let them help additional victims
This is an organization that helps women and children dealing with sexual and domestic violence for 32 years. It has a SANE program to ease the trauma of rape. It provides shelter, counseling, and legal advice for those facing this. It is great!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The children's programs for thoes tramitized by abues
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
End domestic and sexual violence
First Step is an exceptional organization with a 32 year history of helping women, children, and men impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault. First Step has an amazing staff, a large pool of dedicated volunteers (more are always needed!), a dynamic board, and the support of the community. Times are tough but First Step continues to meet the demand for services-touching the lives of thousands of people each year.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have been involved since 1998.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would work to sustain and enhance the programming through more financial and human resources.
Filter by reviewer role:
Support This Nonprofit
Help this nonprofit get more reviews
5 tips for getting reviews