First Light, Inc.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Homelessness is devastating. The homeless experience more serious illness and injury than the general population and are three times more likely than the general population to use an emergency department at least once a year--creating a strain on the health care system. Homelessness doubles the chance that children will suffer from chronic and acute illnesses such respiratory illnesses. The rate of mental illness among the homeless is twice that of the general population. Homeless women are at terrible risk of violence. Homeless children are four times more likely to show delayed development and twice as likely to have learning disabilities as their housed peers. Limiting the time people remain homeless can significantly minimize the negative outcomes of homelessness, especially for children.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Emergency Shelter
First Light's emergency shelter for homeless women and their children comprises 38 beds and a family room on the second floor of the building in downtown Birmingham. Two offices on the first floor have also been repurposed to allow families privacy. Furniture in the day room on the first floor can also be moved aside, and mats and linens distributed, so more women and children will not be turned away. Each guest works individually with a qualified professional who helps her to develop and adhere to a plan of action and to get the services and treatment necessary to rebuild her life and achieve her best level of independence and self-sufficiency.
TRIO
Permanent supportive housing for the disabled and chronically homeless. This project provides professional, intensive case management and supportive care to ensure that women and families can sustain housing and and reach their best level of independence and self-sufficiency.
Rapid Re-housing
Rapid re-housing provides homeless low-income individuals and families with rental assistance and vital supportive case management. Social services professionals monitor the well-being of these residents to ensure they remain in stable housing and get the services and treatment they need.
HUD - Fourth Floor
Nine women permanently disabled by severe mental illness are housed on the fourth floor of the shelter. A social worker ensures their well-being and that they get the services and treatment they need to remain live safely and in dignity.
Where we work
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Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number served in emergency shelter and in supportive housing programs.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Metrics are reported for First Light's fiscal year from July 1 through June 30. Total for 2022 is for 2022-2023; 2021 for 2021-2022; 2020 is for 2020-2021.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
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?
First Light’s mission is to offer those experiencing homelessness stable emergency shelter, access to housing programs, and the resources for them to achieve their full potential.
First Light provides much more than a safe place to sleep—ensuring that every guest gets professional guidance and support to build confidence and competence to achieve her best level of self-sufficiency and independence.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Each emergency shelter guest or supportive housing resident gets individualized guidance from a qualified professional to develop and adhere to a plan of action to overcome barriers to self-sufficiency. She is referred to the services and treatment she needs including healthcare, legal assistance, job-training, GED preparation, mental healthcare, and substance abuse counseling. “Wraparound social services” is a term of art referring to intensive, individualized care planning and comprehensive, holistic services addressing a wide range of needs. This level of service is the bedrock of First Light’s mission and success. First Light works in collaboration with many agencies and organizations to meet the complex needs of every member of the family. First Light implements proven strategies of trauma-informed care to create a trusting, non-threatening environment that fosters feelings of safety and acceptance. The relationship a guest develops with a caring, educated, experienced social services professional is instrumental to her success in providing safety and stability for herself and for her children. And more than 3,750 volunteers each year ensure that every First Light guest knows she is part of a caring community.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Caring professionals and dedicated volunteers make First Light shine.
Sherry Bray was Director of Social Services at First Light for more than twenty years before becoming Executive Director in January 2022. She has a Master's degree in Social Work and a Master of Public Administration degree. She is an adjunct professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the Alabama Conference on Social Work, and is on the Advisory Board of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Montevallo Social Work Programs. She was a recipient of a community Local Hero and White Wolf Award for excellence in service.
Director of Social Services Byanca Underwood earned her undergraduate degree from Dillard University and a MS degree in Counseling from Capella University. Ms. Underwood is currently pursuing a MS degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of West Alabama. She has over 20 years of experience working in homeless, domestic violence, and under-served communities. She has a broad knowledge of resources and established relationships in the community that helps to eliminate barriers to persons seeking help to better their life situation. She has implemented programs to provide better access to health and mental health services and instrumental in advocating and for child care services.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
First Light started as a makeshift shelter in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church in 1983 by volunteers would not turn a blind eye to homeless women on the streets of Birmingham. But as the homeless population grew, more space was urgently needed. In May of 1998, First Light was incorporated as a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization. With the support of a generous community, the old Granada Hotel was purchased and renovated to serve more women and children, and to serve them better. First Light became the community’s only emergency shelter accessible to homeless women and their children 24 hours a day, providing extensive professional social services and the support of caring, dedicated volunteers. First Light has since established effective supportive housing programs to meet the needs of guests leaving the shelter who need help sustaining housing—and has expanded its reach to provide rapid re-housing to homeless individuals and families throughout the community. The governing board is researching what is next to better serve homeless families with children.
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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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 Light, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 11/07/2023
Blair Sandford
Southern Copmany
Term: 2023 - 2024
Blair Sandford
Southern Company
Davis Goodson
South State Bank
Damon Reed
Capital One Multifamily Finance
Emily T. Vande Lune
University of Alabama System
Andrew Alexander
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama
Jay Agnew
Southern Company Services
Melinda Burnett
City of Vestavia
Allison Chang-Roberts
Williams Blackstock Architects
Maria Coley
Contract Freighters, Inc.
Jeffrey A. Cowart
Action Resources
Arthur Edge, III
Arthur Edge, P.C.
Rev. Terry Hamilton-Poore
First Presbyterian Church
Mary Grace Johnsey
Regions Bank
Pamela W. Koehler
MortgageBank/Fairway Independent Mortgage
Virginia Miller
Sexton Miller, LLC
Heather Nelms
ProAssurance
Vinay Patel
UAB Health System
Vishwa Patel
Community Volunteer
Millicent W. Ronnlund
Southern Nuclear Operating Co., Inc.
Gwin Sanders
Community Volunteer
Kelsey Mitchell
UAB Medicine
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? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
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? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
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: