gram services that are use-ful and effective. There are many individuals, organiza-tions, and government enti-ties that invest in First Step. Their returns are not finan-cial, but they are priceless. They are found in the peace of a better community and the laughter of children. Thank you for investing in

First Step.

and cost effective services that result in remarkable success and positive outcomes. We have forged innovative ideas, strategies, and partnerships that strengthen solutions to em-power individuals and families to make healthy relationship choices. We listen closely to what our clients say and provide a holistic approach to family violence. We utilize the most up-to-date research to develop pro-

Dear Friends,

In the for-profit world wealth is allocated based on current valuation and future returns. The most important question that any investor must ask is “What is the re-turn on my investment?” While First Step is not a for profit agency we are very much in the investment busi-ness. For decades we have provided relevant, accessible,

Soul Shine Blues Festival Soul Shine Blues Festival Soul Shine Blues Festival Soul Shine Blues Festival Soul Shine 2007 was a festival of firsts. Apart from headliner Bryan Lee, all the other acts were newbies to the Soul Shine stage. We also introduced our first ever Afterglow Event and VIP Party. The festival itself went off with-out a hitch and presented lucky attendees with the opportunity to see first rate blues musicians, taste the most authentic Southern cooking, and take home some pretty cool prizes. Most impor-tantly, Soul Shine has be-come a consistent fund-raiser for First Step and a way for community mem-bers to get involved and

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

FIRST STEP’S MISSION

To provide resources that empower individuals and families to make healthy

relationship choices.

FIRST STEP’S VISION

For every home in our com-munity to be a happy and healthy home that is nurtur-ing of children and their de-

velopment.

ANNUAL REPORT LETTER FROM THE D IRECTOR

2007 IN SHORT

January 2008

support our work. The Bridge The Bridge The Bridge The Bridge For some time now we at First Step have recognized the need to provide more services to male victims of domestic violence. More recently we have also be-come aware of the plight of disenfranchised fathers and the dearth of services available to men in our communities. To remedy this First Step has entered into partnership with the Fostoria Church of the Nazarene to provide the first stand-alone shelter for men in the state of Ohio. Since opening the shelter has provided hous-ing to 2 men and 3 chil-

dren. Initiating these ser-vices is First Step’s way of bringing attention to the needs of our male clients and especially for the sake of their children. Programs and Services Programs and Services Programs and Services Programs and Services 2007 was the first year of implementation for our most recent business plan. Thus far the results of our action steps have been very successful and we hope to continue to develop them as we move forward. With the changes in the field that we are observing, and the changes in the lives of our clients, we feel that the next few years could mark a new paradigm in the life of our agency.

2007 STATISTICS

Page 2 January 2008

FIRST STEP: A FAMILY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION CENTER

PROVIDING RESOURCES THAT EMPOWER PEOPLE TO MAKE HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP CHOICES

PASSAGESPASSAGESPASSAGESPASSAGES PROGRAMPROGRAMPROGRAMPROGRAM STATISTICSSTATISTICSSTATISTICSSTATISTICS

Total PASSAGES participants……………………………………………………………………..41

Total Successful Completers……………………………………………………………………...36

Success Rate for Passages Participants……………………………………………………..88%

Total Court Ordered Passages Participants………………………………………………...28

Total Court Ordered Successful Completers………………………………………………..27

Success Rate for Court Ordered Passages Participants……………………………….96%

Total Passages Hours of Service………………………………………...………………………1876

HOTLINEHOTLINEHOTLINEHOTLINE STATISTICSSTATISTICSSTATISTICSSTATISTICS

(all hotline call statistics are duplicated numbers)

Total Hotline Calls……………………………………………………………………………………..1323

Hotline Calls Where the Caller is the Victim…………………………………………………886

Total Call Hours Logged……………………………………………………………………………..276

CALLCALLCALLCALL TYPESTYPESTYPESTYPES

Crisis Calls…………………………………………………………………………………………………247

Information and Referral…………………………………………………………………………….595

Advocacy…………………………………………………………………………………………………...766

Counseling/Case Management…………………………………………………………………...37

CALLERCALLERCALLERCALLER TYPESTYPESTYPESTYPES

First-Time Caller………………………………………………………………………………………….221

Outreach Client…………………………………………………………………………………………..521

Repeat Caller……………………………………………………………………………………………..125

CALLSCALLSCALLSCALLS BYBYBYBY COUNTYCOUNTYCOUNTYCOUNTY

Seneca……………………………………………………………………………………………………….618

Sandusky……………………………………………………………………………………………………259

Wood………………………………………………………………………………………………………….300

Wyandot……………………………………………………………………………………………………..11 Hancock……………………………………………………………………………………………………..34 Other………………………………………………………………………………………………………….43

156

162

150

155

160

165

2006 2007

Advocacy Clients 2006-2007

3324

0

50

2006 2007

Adult Shltr Clients 2006-2007

4541

30

40

50

2006 2007

Passages Clients 2006-2007

222 271

0

200

400

2006 2007

Outreach Clients 2006-2007

Annual Repor t Page 3

ADVOCACYADVOCACYADVOCACYADVOCACY PROGRAMPROGRAMPROGRAMPROGRAM STATISTICSSTATISTICSSTATISTICSSTATISTICS

Total Advocacy Clients.…………………………………………………………..…………………….162

Total Hours of Advocacy………………………………………………………..……………………..420

CASECASECASECASE TYPETYPETYPETYPE

CPO……………………………………………………………………………………..………………………23

CSPO………………………………………………………………………………..………………………….18

CPO Drop (Petitioner)………………………………………………………..………………………….20

CPO Drop (Respondent)…………………………………………………..……………………………16

TPO Drop……………………………………………………………………..………………………………12

Advocacy Consult………………………………………………………..……………………………….26

ADVOCACYADVOCACYADVOCACYADVOCACY CLIENTSCLIENTSCLIENTSCLIENTS BYBYBYBY COUNTYCOUNTYCOUNTYCOUNTY

Seneca…………………………………………………………………..…………………………………….76

Sandusky……………………………………………………………..………………………………………41

Wood………………………………………………………………..………………………………………….37

Hancock…………………………………………………………..…………………………………………..2

Other……………………………………………………………..…………………………………………….6

SHELTERSHELTERSHELTERSHELTER PROGRAMPROGRAMPROGRAMPROGRAM STATISTICSSTATISTICSSTATISTICSSTATISTICS Total Adult Shelter Clients……………………………………………………………………………..24

Total Children Shelter Clients………………………………………………………………………...12

Total Shelter Hours of Service………………………………………………………………………..22416

Total Art Therapy Hours………………………………………………………………………………….138

Total Education Hours…………………………………………………………………………………….116

Total Transport Hours…………………………………………………………………………………….113

Total Childcare Hours…………………………………………………………………………………….44

Total Shelter Client Hotline Calls……………………………………………………………………..160

Average Shelter Clients Stay (days)………………………………………………………………….36

TRANSITIONALTRANSITIONALTRANSITIONALTRANSITIONAL SHELTERSHELTERSHELTERSHELTER CLIENTCLIENTCLIENTCLIENT SERVICESSERVICESSERVICESSERVICES

Total Transitional Shelter Clients…………………………………………………………………….9

Total Transitional Hours of Service………………………………………………………………….16809*

Total Home Visits…………………………………………………………………………………………...32.5

Total Transport Hours……………………………………………………………………………………..108

* Includes nights of care

SHELTERSHELTERSHELTERSHELTER CLIENTSCLIENTSCLIENTSCLIENTS BYBYBYBY COUNTYCOUNTYCOUNTYCOUNTY

Seneca…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..15

Sandusky……………………………………………………………………………………………………….8

Wood……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..10

Wyandot…………………………………………………………………………………………………………1

Other…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….2

FIRST STEP SERVICES Advocacy Narrative Advocacy Narrative Advocacy Narrative Advocacy Narrative - As a comparison to last year’s numbers First Step’s advo-cacy program saw an in-crease in client’s served for the fourth straight year. For the most part the demo-graphic statistics for advo-cacy clients do not show any monolithic characteristics. There are, however, certain statistics that were signifi-cant. For example, advocacy clients using orders of protec-tion tended to be either mar-ried or divorced and in con-flict with either their spouses or ex-spouses. The majority of advocacy clients had depend-ant children and had them-selves witnessed domestic violence as children. Seneca county produced the majority of First Step advocacy clients this year, as was the case in 2006. This year Sandusky County saw a dramatic in-crease in advocacy clients over last year due to the pres-ence of an advocate dedi-cated primarily to Sandusky County. The focus of advo-cacy has been to provide pre-ventative services that would minimize the need for emer-gency crisis intervention. The increase in advocacy num-bers is consistent with state and national numbers. In ad-dition, the decrease in shelter clients, both for our client demographics and for state and national numbers, seems to suggest that more clients are taking advantage of advo-cacy services in lieu of shel-ter.

Passages Narrative Passages Narrative Passages Narrative Passages Narrative -This year First Step’s Passages

class experimented with the number of sessions offered per year. Four cycles of Pas-sages were offered rather than the normal five. Despite having less cycles the num-ber of Passages clients for 2007 decreased by only 4 over last year. This would sug-gest a more efficient sched-ule of Passages participants. Of the 41 Passages partici-pants for 2007, more than two thirds were court or-dered. The successful com-pletion rate for court ordered participants was 96%, far above local and state aver-ages. Passages participants were primarily male and typi-cally had issues with a spouse, ex-spouse, or cohab-iting partner. The single issue that typified Passages partici-pants was the prevalence of arrests made for situations of mutual partner violence (according to intake testi-mony). Despite the resent-ment for treatment that stems from these situations, Passages clients showed a remarkable level of success.

Shelter NarrativeShelter NarrativeShelter NarrativeShelter Narrative - Shelter clients for this year were sig-nificantly less that 2006 num-bers. This seems to corre-spond with the increase in outreach clients. Apart from this difference, demographics suggest similar issues being presented in shelter clients compared to last year. These include drug and alcohol abuse, unemployment, men-tal health issues, lack of transportation, and poor rela-tionship choices.

PROGRAM NARRAT IVES

FIRST STEP SERVICES

Step has remained in close contact with Carmen, provid-ing outreach services and a cell phone through our Hope-line Cell Phone Program. Now she is safe, stable, and self-sufficient. Her story is a testi-mony to the positive results of hard work and a little bit of help.

“Carmen” came to First Step in February of 2007. She was in need of shelter, along with her two young children, after suffering physical and mental abuse. At the time of her shelter intake she was working part-time, did not have her own transporta-tion, and relied on SCAT to have her daughter trans-ported to daycare and her son to Pre-school. During the three months that Car-men was in our shelter the entire staff witnessed, on numerous occasions, the way that she cherished her children and put their wants and needs above her own. While in shelter Carmen kept herself busy with work and her two chil-dren when she started suf-fering from medical prob-lems. Transportation be-came even more of an is-sue with Carmen’s trips to the doctor, work, and her children’s school. Carmen had completed an applica-tion for the Car Care Pro-gram shortly after coming into shelter and just when she needed it the most, she was given a mini-van. In addition to transporta-tion needs, Carmen also began searching for secure housing by applying to the HomeNet Program through WSOS. With all her hard work, and through the help of First Step, it was only a matter of time before she and her children were mov-ing into a new home. First

STAFF AND CL IENT PROF ILES

First Step StaffFirst Step StaffFirst Step StaffFirst Step Staff

Administration Terri L. Mercer Executive Director

Jennifer Schindler Administrative Assistant

Esuga Abaya Community Resource Coordinator

Advocacy LuAnn Berry Victim Advocate

Kellee Shontz Victim Advocate

Tonya Camden LSW

Shelter Services Mary Jacquot Shelter Services Coordinator

Shirley Keels Client Services Aide

Mariah Mercer Agency Monitor

Katy Gallant Agency Monitor

Meghan Faeth Agency Monitor

2007 F2007 F2007 F2007 F INANCESINANCESINANCESINANCES

2007 Revenues

Grants

47%

United Way

19%

FEMA

3%

Marriage

License Fees

15%

Donations

3%MISC.

1%

Foundations

2%

Client Fees

3%

Fundraising

4%

2007 Expenses

Personnel

79%

Occupancy

Expense

8%

Food &

Household

2%

Direct Client

Services

7%

Indirect Client

Services

8%

0

50000

100000

150000

200000

250000

300000

350000

400000

450000

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Revenues and Expenditures

Revenues

Expenditures

UUUUNAUDITEDNAUDITEDNAUDITEDNAUDITED F F F FINANCIALINANCIALINANCIALINANCIAL S S S STATEMENTTATEMENTTATEMENTTATEMENT

RevenueRevenueRevenueRevenue

ExpensesExpensesExpensesExpenses

Balance SheetBalance SheetBalance SheetBalance Sheet

Grants $159,449

Fundraising $14,472

Client Program Fees $10,531

Donations $11,374

United Way $67,135

Marriage License Fees $50,747

Interest Income $5,369

Total Total Total Total $337,367$337,367$337,367$337,367

FEMA $10,290

Foundations $8,000

Personnel $256,277

Occupancy Expense $29,142

Food & Household $6,474

Direct Client Services $10,230

Indirect Clients Services $27,540

TotalTotalTotalTotal $329,663$329,663$329,663$329,663

Current Assets $318,729

Property/Equipment $330,040

Total AssetsTotal AssetsTotal AssetsTotal Assets $649,153$649,153$649,153$649,153

AssetsAssetsAssetsAssets

Other Assets $384

Current Liabilities $128,761

Net Assets $520,392

Total Liabilities & Net AssetsTotal Liabilities & Net AssetsTotal Liabilities & Net AssetsTotal Liabilities & Net Assets $649,153$649,153$649,153$649,153

Liabilities and Net AssetsLiabilities and Net AssetsLiabilities and Net AssetsLiabilities and Net Assets

2007 D2007 D2007 D2007 DONATIONSONATIONSONATIONSONATIONS First Step would not be able to provide essential programs and services without the help of our dedicated commu-nity financial contributors. The gifts given by these individuals, families, and organizations mean the enhancement

of the lives of numerous women, children, and men throughout our service area. Thank You!Thank You!Thank You!Thank You!

We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of donor names. We apologize for any errors.

Empowerment ($500 and Above) Empowerment ($500 and Above) Empowerment ($500 and Above) Empowerment ($500 and Above)

Hopewell Church of God National Machinery Foundation St. Wendelin Parish and School

Daniel and Debora Saygers Fostoria Church of the Brethren Tiffin Foundation

Fostoria Foundation John and Joan Stoner Barbara Landis

Fostoria Church of the Nazarene

Hope ($499 Hope ($499 Hope ($499 Hope ($499 ---- $250) $250) $250) $250)

Frank Schwab and Delores Kinn Marathon Petroleum Company Leadership Sandusky County

Trinity United Church of Christ Judy Corner Women of the Moose Fostoria

Judy Wolfe Jack and Son’s Lawn Care Debbie Mercer

Comfort ($249 Comfort ($249 Comfort ($249 Comfort ($249 ---- $100) $100) $100) $100)

St. Paul United Methodist Church The Melins Arcadia Women’s Club

Robert Fast Dorothy Kern Dan Saygers

Tim and Julie Bazaar E. Uhlman Clyde Career Women

Owens Community College Forum Club Fostoria TNT Teens Weston

The Myers Keith and Carol Collier Eugene and Elizabeth Schalk

First Presbyterian Church Old Fort Bank Stella Dudash

Support ($99 and Below )Support ($99 and Below )Support ($99 and Below )Support ($99 and Below )

The Willmans The Dickmans The Miarers

Women of the Moose Tiffin Ludlow Composites Corporation Lady Knights Bowling League

East Side Presbyterian Church ELO Pentagon Mary Jane Bragg

LaVonne Hipsher Beth Meeks Brawley Coleman

Old Fort United Methodist Church Stacy Shaffer Ann Johanson

Mariah Mercer Bethlehem Lutheran Church Tim and Julie Bazaar

Joseph and Eloise Granata Bruce and Mary Bellard Drew Hannah

Vickie Lowery Ray and Ruth Saxton Theresa Chaney

Theodore Willman David Shine Greg Lonsway Electric

Marilyn Beers Marilyn Dubielak Nany Rubenstein

Sarah and R. Edison Reed St. Lukes Lutheran Church Sandusky Area A.O.R.N.

Diversified Graphics Edward and Ruth Lape Douglas and Martha Huss

Union Methodist Church Ginger Kelbey Amvets of Tiffin

Honeywell Women’s Club Curves 249 DeeDee Brickner Bath and Body Works Forum Club Ashley Reinhart

Marilyn Beers Janet Gerken Jo Dible

John Inks Catholic Ladies of Columbus Placzkiewicz and Associates

Yacobozzi Law Firm Arcadia Methodist Church Owens Community Students

Janet Vay Lindsay Allen Rikki Alessi

St. Paul’s Methodist Church Elizabeth Uhlman M A Myers

Suzanne Richard Bauman Auto Group Fostoria Emblem Club

Alpha Zeta

For more information about First Step contact us at: PO Box 1103

Fostoria, OH 44830 Phone: 419-435-7300 Fax: 419-435-5510

Crisis Line: 800-466-6228 Email: firststep@firststepweb.org

www.firststepweb.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tammy DrukenmillerTammy DrukenmillerTammy DrukenmillerTammy Drukenmiller President

Dan FaskoDan FaskoDan FaskoDan Fasko Vice President

Mary Ward Mary Ward Mary Ward Mary Ward Treasurer

Barbara ChildersBarbara ChildersBarbara ChildersBarbara Childers Secretary

Carol WanglerCarol WanglerCarol WanglerCarol Wangler

Roger FisherRoger FisherRoger FisherRoger Fisher

Barry BordenkircherBarry BordenkircherBarry BordenkircherBarry Bordenkircher