First Step: A Family V iolence Intervent ion Center

Summer I ssue: August 2008

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F R O M T H E S O U T H T O S O U L S H I N E

The story of the blues is inevitably intertwined with the history and legacy of the African American ex-perience in the deep South. It is a rare blues man who can claim au-thenticity without having lived in and cut his chops on the Old South. Neither Hubert Sumlin nor Henry Gray have a credibility problem when it comes to the blues. Hubert was born in Mississippi and began his career under the shadow of blues patri-

archs such as Charlie Pat-ton and Sonny Boy Wil-liamson. As a young gui-tarist, Hubert came of age as the musical godson of Howlin’ Wolf. The two met when Hubert was just 10 years old. The rest, as they say, is history. Just as Hubert was beginning to find his place in the Chi-cago Blues scene, Henry Gray was already making a name for himself as a

blues piano player extra-ordinaire. Having moved to Chicago in 1946, Henry quickly made the rounds on the circuit, ac-quainting himself with the popular acts. Henry’s musical beginning was similar to Hubert’s in that it began at a young age in the Louisiana juke joints around his family home. Henry’s musical career was a little less straightforward, however. Before joining the blues migration from the acoustic south to the electric north, Henry did a stint in the army dur-ing WWII. Hubert Sumlin and Henry Gray would not cross paths until 1956, when Henry joined Howlin’ Wolf’s band as the piano player. That lineup lasted until 1968 when Henry left Chicago to go back to Louisiana. Since then the two artists have met occasionally as they have each devel-oped their solo careers and allowed their work at the height of the blues revival to cement them in history. Now, they will meet once again on the same stage in Bascom, OH to pay tribute to the old Chicago blues made

Letter From the DirectorLetter From the DirectorLetter From the DirectorLetter From the Director

Dear Friends,

One of the greatest dreamers of our time was Walt Disney. Not only was he not afraid to dream, he was not afraid to walk those dreams into reality. First Step is a place where dreams come true. Like Walt we have not been afraid to walk our dreams into reality. On September 27, 2008 a dream will come true for me when Hubert Sumlin takes the stage at Meadowbrook Park Ballroom as the head-liner at the 13th annual Soul Shine Blues Festival. Several years ago my hus-band brought me home the gift of a DVD featuring Hubert Sumlin. As we watched it we became fas-cinated with the man be-hind the guitar. I turned to my husband and said, “Wouldn’t it be awesome if I could get Hubert to per-form at Soul Shine!” It just goes to show you that sometimes when you wish upon a star, your dreams come true!

Henry Gray Henry Gray Henry Gray Henry Gray

famous by Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters. In-deed, the number of careers launched by Wolf is a testament to his legacy and the power of his music. This year at Soul Shine we will be treated to two of the few remain-ing blues living leg-ends, men who were present when rock and roll was just a seed in the Mississippi soil. We feel, after 13 years, that we have finally ar-rived. In addition to the music this year Soul Shine will also fea-ture its usual array of food, prizes, and fun for the entire family. Mark your calendars! Tell your friends! You won’t want to miss this!

www.firststepweb.orgwww.firststepweb.orgwww.firststepweb.orgwww.firststepweb.org

Or callOr callOr callOr call

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Hubert with Howlin WolfHubert with Howlin WolfHubert with Howlin WolfHubert with Howlin Wolf

Page 2 Summer Issue: August 2008

FIRST STEP: A FAMILY VIOLENCE INTERVENTION CENTER

PROVIDING RESOURCES THAT EMPOWER PEOPLE TO MAKE HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP CHOICES

F I R S T S T E P W E L C O M E S N E W A D V O C A T E

First Step is happy to welcome Cristy Allen as our newest Victim Advo-cate. Cristy is a gradu-ate of Tiffin University and also received her Masters in School Coun-seling from Heidelberg College. Cristy has worked in the field of social services for over 5 years and has a par-

ticular interest in family relationship enhance-ment. Cristy has worked as a case manager and visitation supervisor at Patchworks House in Tif-fin and as a case man-ager at Seneca County Children’s Services. Most recently, Cristy worked with non-violent offend-ers at Crosswaeh in Tiffin helping them get their GED. “It’s important to me to be able to make a connection with my cli-ents,” Cristy says ,“it makes it easier to know where people get their motivation and what drives them.” That moti-vation, she says, is es-sential to empowering people, a mindset that fits very well with First

Step’s mission. Cristy says she was drawn to this type of work because of a strong desire to help peo-ple. “I’ve always been in-terested in a career that helps people.” Cristy says, and it is a drive that has led her to diverse experi-ences ranging from work-ing with at-risk youth, to teaching. Cristy’s respon-sibilities at First Step in-clude advocacy for vic-tim’s of domestic violence as well as case manage-ment and support for reaching safety, security, and self- sufficiency. Her focus will be primarily in Seneca and Wood coun-ties where she will work with law enforcement and the justice system to bet-ter serve our clients.

Cristy AllenCristy AllenCristy AllenCristy Allen

S O U L S H I N E 2 0 0 8 !

Saturday, September 27, 2008Saturday, September 27, 2008Saturday, September 27, 2008Saturday, September 27, 2008

Meadowbrook Park Ballroom Meadowbrook Park Ballroom Meadowbrook Park Ballroom Meadowbrook Park Ballroom

Bascom, OHBascom, OHBascom, OHBascom, OH

Gates open at 1PMGates open at 1PMGates open at 1PMGates open at 1PM

TicketsTicketsTicketsTickets————$20$20$20$20

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www.firststepweb.orgwww.firststepweb.orgwww.firststepweb.orgwww.firststepweb.org

Made possible

in part by

these sponsors:

Henry GrayHenry GrayHenry GrayHenry Gray Hubert SumlinHubert SumlinHubert SumlinHubert Sumlin

____ Yes! I am interested in making a one time donation to First Step.____ Yes! I am interested in making a one time donation to First Step.____ Yes! I am interested in making a one time donation to First Step.____ Yes! I am interested in making a one time donation to First Step.

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In Honor/Recognition ofIn Honor/Recognition ofIn Honor/Recognition ofIn Honor/Recognition of: ___________________ Donor NameDonor NameDonor NameDonor Name: ___________________________

EventEventEventEvent _____________ PhonePhonePhonePhone___________ PhonePhonePhonePhone________________

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Firs t Step Quar ter ly Page 5

G E T I N V O L V E D W A Y S Y O U C A N S U P P O R T F I R S T S T E P

D O N A T E T O F I R S T S T E P Your charitable gifts go a long way in helping us deliver valuable services to our clients. Consider making a donation today. Also consider making a donation to First Step in honor or recognition of a family member or friend and we will send them a commemorative card on your behalf.

Volunteer OpportunitiesVolunteer OpportunitiesVolunteer OpportunitiesVolunteer Opportunities We can always use more volunteers. If you are interested in helping in this capacity please specify

which volunteer opportunity interests you by filling out the slip below and sending it back to us.

Remember to give your current contact information so we can get in touch with you.

For those of you who may have been won-dering how we put on an elaborate produc-tion like Soul Shine we have three words: Soul Shine Committee. Every year First Step convenes a group of community members, staff, board members, and friends to take leadership of the plan-ning and organization for Soul Shine. This year’s committee is made up of nine com-

munity members: Greg Angles of Fostoria, Meg Stevens of Findlay, Carol Wangler of Fostoria, Sandi Frankart of Tiffin, Ja-son Smith of Findlay, Hudna Abdulla of Tif-fin, Kim Kerschner of Tiffin, Lynn Harlow of Perrysburg, and Tammy Druckenmiller of Fremont. Without the hard work of the committee it is pretty safe to say that Soul Shine would not be

the event that it is. If you are interested in being in-volved next year please give us a call at 419-435-7300. Thanks to all our committee members and see you at

Soul Shine! First Step Services

• Crisis Intervention

• Safe Residency

• Advocacy

• Case Management

• PASSAGES Educa-tional classes

• Operation Starshine

• Marital Enrichment

• Community Presenta-tions

• Internship/Volunteer Opportunities

Are you happy? Do you want to make your mar-riage stronger? Do you want to become a better parent? First Step can help you! Call today and find out how First Step services can help you and your family.

____ Yes! I am interested in volunteer opportunities at First Step.

____ Soul Shine ____ Maintenance Name _____________ Phone_____________

____ Clerical ____ Other _________ Address ______________________________

____ Outreach ____ Shelter Email ________________________________

S O U L S H I N E C O M M I T T E E P R E P S F O R B A N N E R Y E A R

The Soul Shine Committee Don’t miss it!Don’t miss it!Don’t miss it!Don’t miss it!

Win an Epiphone Les Paul autographed by Hubert Sumlin this year at Soul Shine. Only 200 raffle tickets will be sold for $20 a ticket.

First Step PRSRT-STD

AUTOCR

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PAID TIFFIN, OH

PERMIT # 52

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“F I R S T ST E P NE E D S” L I S T KitchenKitchenKitchenKitchen Ziploc Bags Cooking Oil Heavy Bottom Pots (not Teflon) Glass Baking Sheets Dish Towels

Baby ItemsBaby ItemsBaby ItemsBaby Items Baby Wipes Diapers (small and XL)

Misc.Misc.Misc.Misc. Paper Towels Toilet Paper Windex Furniture Polish Dish Detergent Fabric Softener Hair Conditioner Lysol Spray Bleach

Garbage Bags 30 gal Cascade Mouth Wash Small Dixie Cups Toilet bowl cleaner

Women’s ItemsWomen’s ItemsWomen’s ItemsWomen’s Items New Nightgowns New Socks New Underwear

Personal CarePersonal CarePersonal CarePersonal Care Sanitary Napkins Tampons Hair Brushes/Combs Tylenol/Advil Bandaids Chapstick Children’s Vitamins

Children’s ItemsChildren’s ItemsChildren’s ItemsChildren’s Items New Socks

New Underwear New Pajamas Vitamins

OfficeOfficeOfficeOffice Washable Markers Lg. Manila Envelopes Post-It Notes Paper Cutter Legal Pads Sharpie Markers Binders Postage Stamps Copy Paper Ink Pens (blue & black) Dry Erase Markers (blk) Used Cell Phones Ink Cartridges HP 15 HP 78 HP Laser Jet 1000 HP 57

HP 56 Fax Cartridge Sharp UX670B CDRs CDRWs

Questions? Contact us at:

419-435-7300