FIRST STEP COMMUNITIES
a bridge out of homelessness
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
North A Street Campus, Shelter and Services Program
Outreach and case management services aimed at preparing people for permanent solutions. Dormitory shelter for 40 men and 40 women. Case management and collaborative wrap around services for all clients. Successful outcomes include stabilized lives, improved health and nutrition, transitional housing programs, permanent housing, shared housing, family reconciliations, and more. Additional efforts are made to help clients acquire appropriate documentation, insurance, medical appointments, referrals, etc.
North A Street Sanitation program
Restroom facilities open to the public (homeless community) 7-days per week, 15-hours per day. Phone charging and shelter connections are additional benefits of this program.
SafeGround Encampment and Safe Parking programs
Fenced and gated, clean and safe sanctioned tent and safe parking communities offering all the services of our indoor facilities in the field. This includes showers, restrooms, meals, case management and collaborative referrals. Many on the streets who are reluctant to go into shelters start here and are often stabilized and moved to indoor programs and housing programs.
The Grove, Emergency Bridge Housing - Cabin Community
The Grove offers transitional age youth (18-24) interim housing and full services. Each client is assigned one of our fifty cabins and full case management and workforce development services. Additionally, behavioral health services, collaborative support services and employment training and job fairs are available to all clients. This program has a Rapid Rehousing component that assists clients that are ready for permanent housing with move-in expenses, rental assistance, etc. Cabins are heated an cooled, well insulated, have electricity and room for beds and some storage.
Where we work
External reviews

Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
1) To engage homeless individuals in the business of caring for their own by providing their time, skills and experience to tasks of leadership, administration, security,maintenance, inventory, warehousing, etc.
2) To help individuals (the most destitute and underserved homeless individuals) move from the hopelessness of homelessness to the hopefulness of self-sufficiency.
by:
a) supplying the basic necessities of life 365 days/year including shelter, meals, warmth, bathrooms, friendship plus...
b) supplying access to services including home-seeking, health care, job-seeking and more.
3) To create and implement a Homeless Village model that will be acceptable to any neighbors' scrutiny and be more cost effective than current low income housing models.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
FIRST STEP COMMUNITIES
Board of directorsas of 12/30/2022
Bill Knowlton
Mack Road Partnership Executive Director
Bob Erlenbusch
Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness Executive Director
Brian Ridgway
HCD
Kerrin West
Studio 81 International
Diane Wolfe
Psychiatrist
Adam Berman
Healthcare Consultant
Ron Javor
Attorney
Bill Knowlton
Mack Road Partnership
Bob Erlenbusch
Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessnes
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? No -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? No -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
The organization's co-leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data