It all started in 2004 when two friends rented a residential investment home. They requested and were granted permission to allow a few men seeking help in a 12 step recovery program to move in. When one of the original two men became ill and moved back west, a decision had to be made to go back to a normal rental or expand and develop a transitional living home and program.
I prayed and sought advice and the answer became apparent. First Things First was born. We received the inspiration needed to step up to the plate and start giving back what had been so freely given to us. We contacted the Board of Probation and Parole (B.O.P.P.) and several in-house treatment facilities. With this guidance, we established a basic program.
We joined the Transitional Living Coalition of Nashville, becoming a member with other owners and directors in middle Tennessee. We share information, in order to help men become productive, law-abiding members of our community.
Our residents began to have transitional success and the need became apparent to expand. Our second home was brought on board in the fall of 2006. Referrals came in from our friends, notably Pathfinders (Residential treatment facility) and the Veterans Administration Hospital (V.A.). Our waiting list grew and in the spring of 2008, our third home was opened.
Since that time, we have built a solid network of friends, providing transportation to 12 step meetings, sponsoring residents, and attending numerous FTF functions. We are now blessed with men who have been through our program and work with new residents in new recovery. We now have a fourth house in which these men reside.
In 2011 we became very 501c(3) nonprofit organization. We believe we will be able to raise funds for capital improvements, maintenance and scholarships. Hopefully we will be able to help more men find freedom from the grasp of addiction and alcoholism.
Thank you and May God bless you.
John