Connect
Heal
Grow
Since 2007, First Step Recovery—a largely volunteer-driven nonprofit—has been dedicated to making long-term housing and recovery aftercare programs accessible. Our mission is to empower individuals with support and solutions that foster meaningful, lasting change for a healthy future.
Who We
Are
A Non-Profit
Connect
Heal
Grow
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
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
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
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Donator
Join our Giving Program today with a monthly or annual contribution. Whether you’re supporting personally or arranging a recurring donation as a thoughtful gift, our team will ensure everything is set up seamlessly—complete with a special touch.
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Current Programming
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. 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.
Our
Purpose
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.
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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 our communities healthy.
Your
Help
Expanding
Services
We’re excited to share that First Step Recovery is growing to meet the increasing needs of our community by expanding our Nature and Housing Program. The Nature Program will be offering more guided outdoor activities that continue to support healing, build confidence, and promote mindfulness and physical wellness. The Chittenden House, a maintenance house for individuals transitioning from rehab, will provide additional housing opportunities with the structure and support needed for lasting recovery.
Supporting self-care physical activity and connection.
Work Force Re-Entry Program
Helping members of the program return to workforce industry in a healthy and safe environment.
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 lasting 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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Front Desk / Office support
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First Step
Give 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 recovery, 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.
Life Always Has A New Chapter
