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

Winter Issue: February 2008

FFFFIRSTIRSTIRSTIRST S S S STEPTEPTEPTEP Q Q Q QUARTERLUARTERLUARTERLUARTERLYYYY

FIRST STEP OPENS SHELTER FOR MEN

For the 27 years that First Step has been in exis-tence the agency has pur-posefully focused on inno-vation. The constant need to reinvent our methods of service delivery is not frivolous. The truth of the matter is that the field that we work in (and the communities and society that we work in) is dy-namic and ever changing. In order to keep pace we have found it necessary to be constantly vigilant of the needs our clients pre-sent, and to develop pro-grams that meet those needs. For the past dec-ade First Step has stressed the importance of delivering services to the family unit. Our initia-tives in this time period have included our Healthy Marriage campaign, our relationship education, Bridges out of Poverty, and our focus on nurtur-ing environments for chil-dren. In addition to these, we have become increas-ingly aware of one crucial population that has been somewhat neglected in regards to service deliv-ery. The history of our shelter, and the domestic violence movement in general, has placed an

emphasis on women’s issues. Within the DV movement itself there has been neglect, or de-nial, of the plight of male victims of domestic vio-lence, many of whom have limited or no access to appropriate services. Through the years we have chosen to be inclu-sive in our service deliv-ery with a dramatic shift occurring when we de-cided to have men and women together in our Passages program. Since then we have become more and more aware of the gap in services of-fered to men. The reason this is important to us is because our research suggests that children who grow up in house-holds with two parents and an involved, positive father figure do much

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

Dear Friends, I was thinking to myself the other day about the years that I have spent at this agency. Those years, I think, have been good to us. My chil-dren were young when I first came to First Step, and now, very recently, I have become a grand-mother. It is a wonderful and exciting new chapter in my life which parallels very well the develop-ments at First Step. The opening of The Bridge shelter for men is, I think, another new chapter in our agency’s life. I have been doing a lot of read-ing and thinking recently about our future. Being a new grandmother has in-creased my sense of ur-gency about creating a legacy that our children and their children will be proud to inherit. Our work of strengthening families is, perhaps, the most im-portant legacy that we can leave.

better on a host of indi-cators. The involve-ment of fathers particu-larly in the lives of their children has also been shown to positively in-crease children’s chances of educa-tional, social, and eco-nomic success. Beyond the practical outcomes, however, we also be-lieve that the right of women, men, and chil-dren to be safe, healthy , and happy within the family is fun-damentally a matter of human rights. If that right is not upheld and protected it is an injus-tice. To do our part in protecting this right we are proud to announce the opening of the first shelter for men in - (continued pg. 2)

The Bridge shelter for men is the first of its kind in OhioThe Bridge shelter for men is the first of its kind in OhioThe Bridge shelter for men is the first of its kind in OhioThe Bridge shelter for men is the first of its kind in Ohio

Page 2 Winter Issue: February 2008

FIRST STEP: A FAMILY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION CENTER

PROVIDING RESOURCES THAT EMPOWER PEOPLE TO MAKE HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP CHOICES F IRST STEP OPENS SHELTER FOR MEN

- the state of Ohio. As far as we know this is only the second such shelter in the country. Our focus in this endeavor is two-fold. First, we are hoping to fill a gap in services available for male vic-tims of domestic vio-lence. The second is to provide services that support disenfranchised fathers. Both of these issues have been brought to our attention in recent years with in-

creasing urgency. Initiat-ing this service was made possible by a part-nership with the Fostoria Church of the Nazarene, who provided the facility. Since becoming available in September of 2007 the shelter has provided services to two men and three children. During their time in shelter, the men are given access to the full range of First Step’s comprehensive services. A case plan is

developed and clients are given the necessary tools to secure employment, transportation, housing, education, and general independence. We have been encouraged so far by the amount of support we have received and we value the input of our community partners. As things develop, we are confident that this service will be one more tool for the work of making our society a better place.

When Chico came to First Step he was deal-ing with several difficult situations in his life. He was unemployed and living with a friend. He had no transportation, and had not had any contact with his children for several years. After completing our Pas-sages program Chico took advantage of other First Step services and

was soon part of a rigor-ous case plan. With help from First Step Chico was able to find employment and transportation. Through legal and sup-port advocacy Chico was able to navigate the child support system. During the time that these ser-vices were being pro-vided, however, he be-came homeless. Fortu-nately, it was at this time that the Fostoria Church of the Nazarene called to meet with us about a fa-cility they had available. That meeting led to the opening of The Bridge shelter for men and Chico became its first resident. Because of his hard work and determi-nation Chico has made significant progress to-wards self sufficiency.

Because of community partners such as WSOS and Fostoria Nazarene Church he has the neces-sary tools to get back on his feet. And recently he began daily communica-tion with his children. Chico’s story is the story of many men and fathers who, either because of their own choices or cir-cumstances beyond their control, find themselves unable to succeed. What we can learn from him is that many of these peo-ple, given the right oppor-tunity, will become posi-tive contributing members of society and positive role models in their fami-lies. Teaching them to be better men and better fa-thers is a crucial step in making progress in our community.

F IRST STEP CLIENT STORIES

Chico’s StoryChico’s StoryChico’s StoryChico’s Story

____ 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,

Our daughter “Marie”

entered your shelter

bruised and confused as

to which direction her life

should take. In the time

she was there she en-

tered your Passages

program, art therapy,

and your staff spent

much time talking with

her about her life. She

has had the time to

think about the bad

situation that she was in

and all the issues which

arose from that situa-

tion. My husband and I

wish to thank you and

your staff for taking [our

daughter] into your shel-

ter and providing the

help that she needed at

a difficult time in her life.

Your staff is so friendly

and so positive. This has

been an extra benefit.

“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.

“Your staff is so

friendly and so

positive... ”

____ 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

If you would like to be taken off our mailing list just email us at eabaya@firststepweb.org

“F IRST STEP NEEDS” L I ST KitchenKitchenKitchenKitchen Juices Ziploc Bags Dish Towels/Cloths Heavy Bottom Pots (not Teflon) Baking Sheets Baby ItemsBaby ItemsBaby ItemsBaby Items Diapers (small and XL) Misc.Misc.Misc.Misc. Clorox Wipes Bleach Windex Dishwater Detergent Tall Trash Bags Batteries – AA & 9v Light Bulbs- 40/60 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 Vitamins Children’s ItemsChildren’s ItemsChildren’s ItemsChildren’s Items New Socks New Underwear New Pajamas Washable Markers OfficeOfficeOfficeOffice Lg. Manila Envelopes Post-It Notes Paper Cutter Legal Pads Sharpie Markers Binders Postage Stamps Copy Paper Ink Pens (blue & black) Dry Erase Markers (blk)

Used Cell Phones Ink Cartridges HP 15 HP 78 HP Laser Jet 1000 HP 57 HP 56 Fax Cartridge Sharp UX670B CDRs CDRWs

Questions? Contact us at:

419-435-7300