Finding Steady Ground in Small Steps
Small steps can completely shift someone’s stability. When I first met Sam, he barely responded to calls. Over time, steady check-ins, practical support, and simply showing up helped him feel safe enough to move forward. Together we worked through chronic pain barriers, uncovered an untreated health issue, and built a relationship that gave him room to regain confidence. Watching him go from isolated to engaged, from overwhelmed to optimistic, shows how powerful consistent peer support can be.
Finding Comfort in Shared Experience
Finding comfort in someone who truly understands your experience can change everything. Over the past few months, I’ve seen how powerful that connection can be. When I met Sally during my first month at firsthand, it reminded me why I do this work. By sharing parts of my own story and walking with her through small steps, she began to trust herself again. Watching her find her confidence, seek care, and step back into her life has shown me how real the power of lived experience is. Sometimes people just need someone who has walked a similar road to remind them they’re not alone.
Side Quests: Creating Impact Beyond the Day Job
Having chances separate from my day to day duties as a Guide Team Lead to connect with the community helps me feel balanced and fulfilled.
Finding My Way: From Recovery to Reunification
Both my firsthand team in Knoxville, TN and my Youngstown, OH team offered me compassion, empathy, love, and room to grow and learn. It was messy at times. But the teams saw something in me that I didn't not see myself. I realized then that the peer support model we practice at firsthand is also utilized within our own teams. We bring so much to each other's worlds. Every day that I walk into the office, I know my team has the same goals and mission as I do. I can rely on them, and they can rely on me.
Celebrating Independence: 12 Years of Freedom and Growth
This July 4th, I'm celebrating 12 years of independence from drugs, alcohol, and self-harm!
Being Seen in Full Color: LGBTQIA+ Identity and Mental Health
How many ways does it change the world, change our communities and neighborhoods, when we are vulnerable, transparent and authentic, and when we get to be seen as our full selves? How many ways does it heal our spirits and our hearts when we SEE each other and allow ourselves to be known and seen?
The Strength of Showing Up: How Peer Support Breaks the Mold of Traditional Care
The peer model is not an alternative; it's a necessary complement to traditional care, breaking through barriers with empathy, understanding, and a shared experience of resilience. Through peer support, we can manifest a future where every individual feels empowered to advocate for their well-being, supported by a community that champions mental health care as a right, not a privilege. Because when we care, we don't just change lives—we save them.
Autism Awareness and Acceptance: An Unexpected Journey
By sharing my personal journey living with autism, I hope to continue raising awareness, enhancing understanding, and humanizing the narratives around autism and other forms of neurodiversity. By doing so, I believe we can collectively break down existing stigmas and misconceptions, fostering a more empathetic world for everyone that struggles with mental illness and disorders.
It Works If You Work It, So Keep Coming Back
Every day brings new challenges as we tackle hurdles together, functioning not just as an office but as a community and a growing company. Our dynamic model demands that we bring our whole selves to the table as we serve marginalized populations. But here's the kicker – every day, we find ourselves coming back and making it work.
“I figured I would spend the rest of my life out here and would die on the streets.”
Matthew had been sleeping outside for years, living in survival mode, hand to mouth. He was actively using drugs, and had serious mental and physical health issues that needed to be addressed. Then he met Stephanie, a firsthand Guide in Jacksonville. Stephanie and the Jacksonville team worked together to support Matthew in finding housing, connecting with behavioral healthcare and a primary care provider, and going through detox. Today, Matthew is housed and receiving the care that he needs and deserves. He’s looking forward to getting eye surgery so he can get back to his favorite thing- reading!
Tiny Triumphs, Major Milestones- Rita's Journey
Change can blossom in the seemingly trivial - an opened door, an answered phone call, a sense of warmth. It was those little moments of connection that paved the way for larger victories. Even the biggest milestones often have their roots in the smallest triumphs.
Healed People Heal People: My journey to becoming a CPRS
Because of my Higher Power and this woman, this CPRS (Certified Peer Recovery Supporter), I had more freedom from behind cinder block walls and razor wire fences than I'd ever had on the outside of them.
The path to self-sufficiency is paved with support: How accepting help made me stronger
After working closely with Chastity and Zach at firsthand, I realized it's okay to receive help. It doesn't mean you can't climb the ladder on your own. It just means that you might need someone to help you reach the first step.
Leading with Compassion: Meet Lance Schema, Firsthand's DCO in Ohio
Lance Schema, MPA is firsthand’s DCO in Columbus and Toledo, Ohio.
Pride through Prejudice- Navigating Mental Health and Embracing LGBTQ+ Identity
When I reflect on my life, I know that the younger version of me, the little Mallory who never thought I would be able to live unapologetically as my true self, would be incredibly proud of the person I've become.
Embracing Autonomy: Bones' Housing Journey
One of firsthand’s values is “Individuals at the Center”. This experience helped solidify that even when the outcome or timeline may not align with our team’s ideal vision, an individual's independence and self-governance should always be centered, honored, and respected.