FOSTORIA - First Step kicked off 2013 with a $5,500 grant from The Betty Jane Memorial Fund for the benefit of Operation Starshine, an eight-week program for children who have witnessed domestic violence. First Step offers Operation Starshine concurrently with Passages, an award-winning course that teaches healthy relationship skills to adults dealing with domestic violence.
Lessons include art therapy activities, developmental games and play therapy. Through the therapeutic use of play, children are given the opportunity to express their feelings naturally, and safely, thus enabling the healing process to begin. It is open to children in shelter and those whose parents are receiving outreach services or are attending Passages. First Step served 62 children in 2012 and expects the need to rise in 2013.
First Step has been involved in the community for more than 30 years. Its mission is to provide resources that empower individuals, couples and families to make healthy relationship choices. Its vision is that every child in our service area grows up in an intact, healthy family environment with actively-engaged and nurturing parents.
First Step is located at 1099 Columbus Ave., Fostoria. For more information about First Step's programs and services, call (419) 435-7300 or visit www.firststepweb.org.
Fact Box
Betty Jane Memorial Fund
The Betty Jane Memorial Fund is administered by the board of trustees of The Tiffin Charitable Foundation. The fund is committed to supporting charitable organizations and activities in Tiffin and the surrounding areas, which assist and promote physical, mental, social and vocational rehabilitation for people with disabilities.
