First Step A Response To Domestic Violence Inc

Programs: Domestic violence emergency shelter: first step provides emergency, temporaty shelter to victims of domestic violence and their minor children who have no other safe place to stay. Persons staying at the shelter are provided a bed, bed linens, towels, access to the shelter kitchens, bathrooms, living room and computer room. Residents are offered food from the food pantry as well as donated clothing, personal supplies, gift cards, ect. Their clothering and linens are laundered by shelter staff. Case management and support services are offered to all adult and child residents. All of first steps' services are free of charge and confidential. Seventy-three percent (73%) of direct services expenses went to the domestic violence emergency shelter services. For the year ending june 30, 2017, 81 adult victims of domestic violence and 35 children were sheltered at first step. 38 households exited the first step shelter to permanent housing and first step provided rental assistance to 10 of those households.

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, weekly domestic violence adult support group, children's activity and homework groups, court accompaniment/legal advocacy services and assistance finding and obtaining community resources, employment and housing. First step also offers follow-up support services to victims that exit the shelter. All of first step's services are free of charge and confidential. Eighteen percent (18%) of direct service expenses went to domestic violence support services.

rapid re-housing program: financial assistance for rent deposits, utility deposits, and/or short-term rent to assist victims of domestic violence exit the shelter to permanent housing. Assistance can continue for up to a year to help with housing stabilization. Assistance is paid directly to the landlords and utility companies. This also includes cost of staff time on the project. For year-ended june 30, 2016, the organization assisted 12 households through this rental assistance program. 7% of direct service expenses went to rapid re-housing program assistance.