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Founded in 2007, First Step Recovery is a largely volunteer-run nonprofit dedicated to making early recovery aftercare accessible. We support individuals with long-term solutions that foster lasting positive change.
Who We
Are
A Non-Profit
Grow
Heal
Connect
Understand
Understand
Perspective
Addiction does not make someone inferior. In fact, it takes a great deal of strength to live with addiction. It is often the body’s survival mechanism in response to trauma, overwhelming stress, or sustained pressure—affecting the brain, gut, and nervous system. Addiction does not discriminate. It can affect people of any background or circumstance. It is not a measure of character, intelligence, or worth. Recovery begins when we shift the narrative—from blame to understanding, from shame to compassion. Struggling does not make someone less than; it means they are human.
Connect
Heal
Grow
Connect
Heal
Grow
Founded in 2007, First Step Recovery is a largely volunteer-run nonprofit dedicated to making recovery aftercare housing and programs accessible. We support individuals with long-term solutions that foster stability, growth, and lasting positive change.
Who We
Are
A Non-Profit
Founded in 2007, First Step Recovery is a largely volunteer-run nonprofit dedicated to making recovery aftercare housing and programs accessible. We support individuals with long-term solutions that foster lasting positive change.
Who We
Are
A Non Profit
Since 2007, First Step Recovery—a largely volunteer-driven nonprofit—has been dedicated to making recovery aftercare housing and programs accessible. Our mission is to empower individuals with long-term support and solutions that foster meaningful, lasting change for a healthy future
A Non Profit
Grow
Heal
Connect
Connect
Grow
Heal
First Step Recovery's Aftercare offers long term housing and supportive programs designed to foster connection, growth, and healing. Our Work-Force Program provides job-readiness training and employment support and the Nature Program promotes wellness through restorative outdoor experiences.
Our new Colchester Community Recovery Center offers a safe, welcoming space for people in recovery and those who support them offering meetings, resources, and meaningful connection—helping individuals build a strong foundation for lasting wellness.
A Non-Profit
Grow
Connect
& Heal
A Place To
Thank You For Being
Part of The Solution
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This Holiday Season
Become An Annual
Gift Donor
It’s that time of year for Annual Gifting - join our Giving Program with a monthly or annual contribution - all amounts valued! Whether you’re giving personally or arranging a recurring donation as a thoughtful gift, we’ll make the process seamless and special—complete with a personalized card that can be mailed to you or directly to your recipient.
This Holiday Season
Become An Annual
Gift Donor
It’s that time of year for Annual Gifting! Join our Recurring Giving Program with a monthly or annual contribution - all amounts valued! Whether you’re giving personally or arranging a recurring donation as a thoughtful gift, we’ll make the process seamless and special—complete with a personalized card that can be mailed to you or directly to your recipient.
Addiction does not make someone inferior. In fact, it takes a great deal of strength to live with addiction. It is often the body’s survival mechanism in response to trauma, overwhelming stress, or sustained pressure—affecting the brain, gut, and nervous system. Addiction does not discriminate. It can affect people of any background or circumstance. It is not a measure of character, intelligence, or worth. Recovery begins when we shift the narrative—from blame to understanding, from shame to compassion. Struggling does not make someone less than; it means they are human.
Understand
Perspective
Early
Support
Aftercare is Needed
Aftercare is the vital stage that follows detox or treatment, when individuals need time, support, and meaningful connections to rebuild their lives. At First Step, our aftercare offers continued resources for recovery, along with opportunities for new experiences that inspire fresh perspectives. Through aftercare, people gain the skills and confidence to build a strong foundation for lasting health and well-being.
Check Out
Current Programs
First Step Recovery provides access to long-term, structured residential aftercare with comprehensive support services designed to foster healing and growth for Individuals in recovery from addiction. Through four core programs—Residential Housing, The Nature Program, The Community Center and Workforce Development—our compassionate and supportive community walks alongside each person on their journey to recovery, offering connection, structure, and hope, one step at a time.
Providing safe, long-term, structured residential aftercare, with comprehensive support services designed to foster healing, personal growth, and lasting recovery.
Construction completed in July 2025 and now open to the sober community. We are here to provide resources and help individuals thrive in their recovery and wellness
Workforce
Development
With the right support and opportunities, everyone can grow, build confidence, and thrive in the workforce.
The Nature
Program
Outdoor activities support self-care - an essential part of living a balanced lifestyle. Time in nature promotes healthy routines, physical movement and reflection.
Big
Thanks
Sponsor Alert!
We are excited to announce that Goss Dodge helped First Step Recovery acquire a Jeep to aid in transport to appointments, work, and more!
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Share Our Story and Cause
Together We Can
Make Lasting Change
Thank
You
Our Sponsors
Our private and corporate sponsors play a vital role in expanding access to aftercare. We Thank them for joining the movement to make aftercare accessible.
Your
Help
Expanding
Services
Help First Step Recovery grow to meet the increasing needs of the community by supporting the expansion of our programs. With your help, we can expand housing for women, and a maintenance house to accommodate individuals transitioning from treatment facilities. With your help, we can also offer more guided outdoor activities to support healing, confidence, and promote mindfulness and physical wellness in our Nature Program. We are also working hard to expand workforce development providing additional opportunities for the individuals in our program.
Expanding our nature program allows us to offer more opportunities for physical activity, self-care, helping participants build healthier routines and strengthen their recovery.
Housing Program
Help us provide additional housing opportunities—for women and men—by expanding safe, structured living environments that offer support needed for lasting health and recovery.
Workforce Development
Support our program participants in maintaining or reentering the workforce with skills, confidence, and a positive outlook for the future.
Big
Thanks
Sponsor Alert!
We are excited to announce that Goss Dodge helped First Step Recovery acquire a Jeep to aid in transport to appointments, work, and more!
About
First Step
First Step Recovery House is a place to call home—a supportive environment where individuals can connect, grow and heal. Our program blends structure, accountability and personal guidance to help residents build confidence, independence, and access to recovery. Here, residents cultivate purpose, strengthen self-worth, and develop healthy routines that support lifelong change.
Founded by people in recovery and built on real life experience, First Step follows a peer-led model, supported by a dedicated team. Together, we offer guidance from those who have walked the journey themselves and from others who share a passion for helping individuals achieve lifelong wellness and health.
Before coming to First Step, I can say that I was truly lost, broken and beaten. Half my life I struggled with alcoholism as well as drug addiction. After several tries at Rehabs, detoxes and short stints in jail, I finally, and fully surrendered, and decided to enter a program house. I can say wholeheartedly that it was the best decision of my life. Without this program I would be dead, in jail or still trapped in the hell I once created. This is the longest I have been sober since I was 13 years old. I currently have over 18 months clean and I have learned so much about myself, my defects, my own worries, etc…. I have learned how to manage life based on life’s terms. I could go on forever about this program and the amazing people I have met but I Won’t, but I will say I am truly grateful from the bottom of my heart and I will forever be in debt to this program.
John G.
I am Jim, and I am definitely an alcoholic and addict. I relapsed during the Covid-19 and I was lucky to find First Step Recovery to help me get back to the basics of recovery.
Jim M.
The question asked of me, “ why are you in a sober living arrangement?” Without hesitation, my answer was short: Discipline, security, safety and structure. When I finally realized that I needed serious help about five years ago, sober living worked for me. After 11 months of recovery. I felt that I had the tools needed to live sober, in my own home, which worked well for about 4 years. In April of 2021, I relapsed. It only took about two and a half months to realize that I am truly an alcoholic. With the help of my family and friends, I chose a new sober living arrangement with First Step Recovery House. I need those $ pillars of living in my life, ingrained in my character, and continuously reinforced. First Step emphasizes those areas, along with Alcoholics Anonymous, sponsorship and active participation in the program. I will know when I am ready to take the next step to individual living, but at this time, First Step is paramount to keeping me on a path of recovery that I otherwise may not travel.
Tom M.
In 2016 I finally had enough of substances ruling my life and accept that I needed help. It was suggested that I enter Sober Living after Rehab. I interviewed and was accepted int First Step Recovery. I served as a Liaison for the first year and then house Manager for my second year. The bonds that I created with the owner and members of the house are part of the foundation that keeps me sober to this day.
Jason B.
I began the road to recovery in 2019. I was finally beaten up enough by my addictions and felt so useless and alone that I knew I had to make a serious change in my life. I was having financial, legal and housing problems, but more serious was the health problems. After many years of family members, friends and health professionals suggesting I needed help, I finally looked into treatment. I was very skeptical about treatment and wasn’t sure it would be right for me. However, a friend suggested First Step Recovery House and I had witnessed a great change in his life since he went through this program as well. First Step Recovery House has taught me how to live a happy, sober, normal life again and gives me pleasure to show other alcoholics and addicts that there is a solution to this disease.
Byron F.
Success
Stories
Our Past Clients
Read about the success various past participants have achieved through the First Step Recovery program.
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The Nature Program
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Assistant Guides
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Assistant Program Manager
In the Office
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Front Desk / Office support
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Recovery coaches
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Social Media Expert
Community Center
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Guest Speakers
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Class Teachers
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Event Support
Events
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Support
First Step
Giving Back
Since 2007, First Step Recovery—a nonprofit organization—has been run by volunteers and sustained by the generosity of our donors and sponsors. As we continue to learn more about addiction, aftercare has proven to be an essential solution for long-term success. With demand for our services increasing, we need your help today to expand our programs —making aftercare more accessible to anyone who wants lasting change.
Aftercare Changes Lives
