What's Happening in Plymouth, MI…

First Step, an agency in Plymouth that serves survivors of domestic violence, recently received a large grant to improve its facilities.

The Margaret Dunning Foundation awarded the agency $28,000 to modernize its facility. Officials from the organization plan on using the funding to improve the building's energy efficiency, replace aging and outdated structural elements, and make the building safer for visitors and residents.

At its facility, First Step provides counseling to survivors of domestic violence. It also offers support groups in the same location. The build also serves as the agency's administrative offices.

Organizations that receive funding from foundations and private donors can use brochure printing to name and thank those who have supported them when promoting their services.

Officials from First Steps have stated that the building improvements and upgrades are essential for organization to continue to provide its services.

The organization's executive director, Lori Kitchen-Buschel, noted that First Step is the only agency in the county that provides the services it does and that the capital improvements will have a significant long-term effect on the agency.

She also noted that improving the building will better enable the volunteers, staff members and board members of First Step to focus on doing their work and providing needed support and services to the local community.

First Step was founded in 1978 and has as its mission the goal of eliminating domestic and sexual violence and to provide services and support to people affected by it.