About to embark on its 26th year of serving Seneca, Sandusky, Wood and Wyandot counties, First Step grew from a grassroots effort in 1980 and housed its first resident at a convent in New Riegel.
In 1983, the staff purchased a home in Fostoria and stayed there for four years before deciding to do something unusual, compared to other shelters: they built a new facility in public view.
It was the first shelter built from the ground up in Ohio and one of the first in the nation. This move allowed the agency to design a new building and carve out a facility well-suited for a shelter, with children's space, large bathrooms and other amenities.The residence was recently renovated on a shoestring budget, with staff pitching in both day and night to rejuvenate the temporary home of families seeking assistance.
Leading by example, First Step took its limited resources, unlimited imagination and determination to turn basic bedrooms into soothing sanctuaries. Over the last few years, First Step has evolved from a shelter to a center that focuses on prevention as well as intervention.
For clients and families dealing with domestic violence, it offers a 24-hour crisis support phone, legal advocacy (including filing Civil Protection Orders and accompanying clients to court), and temporary shelter residence for those in need.
Our shelter has been a harbor in the storm for families affected by domestic violence. We have sheltered hundreds of women & children since the last major renovation in 2002.
For a tour of the shelter, please click here.
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