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

Spring Issue: May 2006

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

Dear Friends of First Step,

Finally, Spring is here! At First Step we al-ways look forward to Spring because it repre-sents to us the new growth and fresh start that we hope to give to individuals and families experiencing hardship. This Spring we have been very busy. First, we are finishing up the fi-nal stages of our strategic planning process. Now we have an approved draft of our business plan com-pleted and ready to be im-plemented. Second, we were busy preparing for our anniversary gala. The event was spectacular and a real time of celebration. It was great to see where First Step has been and where the agency is going. Thanks to all of you who helped make our anniver-

sary celebration a success.

Sincerely,

Terri L. Mercer

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On April 15th First Step celebrated its 25 anniversary with a gala event. The event was held at Camden Falls in Tiffin and had among its attendants board mem-bers, staff, former clients, and friends of First Step. The evening’s events be-gan with a dinner of carved roast beef, grilled salmon in a pineapple mango sauce, and vege-table lasagna. Next, Larry Whatley, of WTOL Toledo, gave the keynote ad-dress. Mr. Whatley spoke of the importance of First

Step to the community and the importance of the development of its mission to provide resources to individuals and families that empower them to make healthy relationship choices. Then First Step unveiled a documentary film entitled “Moonwalking: 25 Years of First Step”, chronicling the past 25 years of the agency using the testi-mony of past board mem-bers, former clients, staff, and friends of First Step. The video also served to give a vision for the future

of the agency and ways it can be even more influen-tial in raising the quality of life in our community. Fi-nally, the night was capped by the performance of the Night Jazz Orchestra a 20-piece ensemble that per-

forms big band music.

We would like to thank everyone who made First Step’s gala event possible and everyone who has shown their support for First Step over the years. All in all, we could not have asked for a better celebra-

tion. (Pics contd. on p. 2)

F IRST STEP CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

Keynote speaker Larry Whatley of WTOL

Toledo converses with John and Patricia Rhodes

of Fremont

First Step Art Therapist Barb Kukla (r) and First

Step Community Resource Coordinator Esuga

Abaya (l)

Findlay’s Night Jazz Orchestra provides big band

music for the evening.

Couples dance to the big band music of Night

Jazz.

and families dealing with do-mestic violence, it offers a 24-hour crisis support phone line, legal advocacy (including filing Civil Protection Orders and accompanying clients to court), and temporary shelter residence for those in need. And for individuals simply looking to enhance their lives and relationships we also offer a wide range of compre-hensive services.

For 25 years First Step has been serving the Wyandot, Wood, Sandusky and Seneca counties. We are the first domestic violence shelter to be built from the ground up in the state of Ohio and one of only four in the nation. Over the last few years, First Step has evolved from a shelter to a center that fo-cuses on prevention as well as intervention. For clients

Contact Us

First Step

P O Box 1103

Fostoria, OH 44830

419-435-7300

firststep@firststepweb.org

www.firststepweb.org

Page 2

F I R S T S T E P WOUL D L I K E TO TH AN K TH E F O L L OW IN G DONO R S T O O U R 2 5 TH ANN I V E R S A R Y C E L E B R A T I ON

Spring Issue: May 2006

FIRST STEP: A FAMILY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION CENTER

PROVIDING RESOURCES THAT EMPOWER PEOPLE TO MAKE HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP CHOICES

First Step Executive Director Terri Mercer (l) and

Board President Luann Berry (r)

Representatives from Bowling Green and Wood

County enjoy the food and each others company

Roger Anderson Denise and Steve Brown Jeanne Cassell Pauline Coleman Robert and Jane Frias Scott Harlow Ann Johansen Judy Knox James Leaser Ernest & Dr. Cynthia Lemmerman James and Margarita Lessig Larry Manley Cheryl Buckland Frank McLaughlin Donald and Louise Mennel John & Joyce Millar Ruth Moore Robert & Charline Moyer Nadine & Richard Musser Gerald and Ashley Reinhart Dr. Rogelio and Barbara Sanchez Ray and Ruth Saxton Daniel and Debora Saygers Eugene & Elizabeth Schalk Larry and Colleen Smith Paulette Stephens Elizabeth Ulhman Mary Ward Diana Wise Marilyn and John White Paul and Cheryl Windisch Destiny House Richard and Holly Barker Nancy Rubenstein Lynn Tucker-Roberts Mary Lou and Greg Wright Meg Stevens in honor of J.R. Brondes Suzanne Richard Joan Callecod Bruce Bellard Tammy Druckenmiller Jo Faeth Fremont Memorial Hospital Robert Fast UPS

ABOUT F I RST STEP

Firs t Step Quar ter ly

This is our column al-This is our column al-This is our column al-This is our column al-lowing you to share the lowing you to share the lowing you to share the lowing you to share the triumphs of our clients triumphs of our clients triumphs of our clients triumphs of our clients over their circum-over their circum-over their circum-over their circum-stances through their stances through their stances through their stances through their letters to us, and to letters to us, and to letters to us, and to letters to us, and to help you remember that help you remember that help you remember that help you remember that we serve real people we serve real people we serve real people we serve real people with real problems, and with real problems, and with real problems, and with real problems, and we help them find real we help them find real we help them find real we help them find real

solutions.solutions.solutions.solutions.

Dear First Step,

I just would like to thank everyone for the

help and assistance that was given to me. Words can’t come close to expressing the feelings of thank-fulness I have for First Step. I will miss the house, the people, and the staff. You all are such wonderful people. If it wasn’t for First Step I’m not sure where I would be. But now I have a new be-ginning. I am not sure

what else to say other than thank you. Thank

you everyone!

“Mary Anne”

Page 3

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

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DONATE TO F I R ST STEP 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 certificate 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.

First Step Services

• Crisis Intervention

• Safe Residency

• Legal Advocacy

• Case Management

• PASSAGES Educa-tional classes

• Positive Parenting

• 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.

“ Words can’t come

close to expressing

the feelings of

thankfulness I have

for 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.____ 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 _____________________________

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

____ Special Events ____ Maintenance Name _____________ Phone_____________

____ Clerical ____ Other _________ Address ______________________________

____ Outreach ____ Shelter Email ________________________________

NEW CHEST OF DRAWERS

NEW BOOK SHELVES

CLOTHES RACKS

CLOTHES DRYER NEW

ELECTRIC STOVE

CANNED GOODS (EXPIRATION DATE SHOULD BE AT LEAST SIX

MONTHS AWAY)

CALL US IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS

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TOILET PAPER

PAPER TOWELS

TRASH BAGS (33 GALLON)

BLEACH

MURPHY OIL SOAP

CASCADE DISHWASHER SOAP

LIQUID DISH SOAP

CHILDRENS PLASTIC PLAY-

GROUND EQUIPMENT

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PAID TIFFIN, OH

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