| First Step Back Home | |
| Abbreviation: | FSBH |
| Type: | 501(c)(3) non-profit organization |
| Purpose: | Help single homeless men achieve financial independence and self sufficiency, and support deprived families in emergency situations. |
| Location: | Ofallon, Missouri |
| Region Served: | Missouri, United States |
| Membership: | Community Council of St. Charles Continuum |
| Leader Title: | Founder, President |
| Leader Name: | Paul W Kruse |
| Main Organ: | Board of Directors |
| Affiliations: | St. Joachim of Missouri, Ann Care Center, Salvation Army, North East Community Action Corporation, and other Social Agencies Serving the Homeless |
| Num Staff: | 12 |
First Step Back Home (FSBH) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, chartered as a faith based Christian Ministry to help single homeless men to achieve financial independence and self-sufficiency, in Ofallon, Missouri.[1] It was founded by Vietnam veteran and social worker Paul W Kruse[2] and his wife Lana Kruse. It has helped many homeless and hopeless people in St. Charles, Lincoln and Warren Counties of Missouri, to find a stable home and job. Since 2005, FSBH has helped more than 3,000 homeless people become self-sufficient. It has been running programs with the help of Community Council of St. Charles Continuum.
FSBH was started in March, 2005 by Paul Kruse, a Vietnam Veteran who served in US Navy as Airman and Seaman. Paul and his wife started Trucker Church Ministry in Foristell, Missouri,[3] with now more than 2,500 truckers who have attended services and have heard the Gospel preached for over the 6 and a half years. He became aware of the lack of resources and gaps in services provided by the local social service providers for homeless men in St. Charles County, and started his Ministry spawned by a $1000 gift from a local business.
FSBH has helped more than 3000 homeless in the area to get lodging, food, clothing, jobs, find transportation, and ultimately become self-sustaining again. Support for FSBH has come from the community via businesses, community groups and individual contributions and none has come from the Federal government or Local Government.
FSBH is operated by the local staff of people, who come from various backgrounds. The board members help most in making decisions regarding future project expansion and donation programs.[4]
| width=120 | Members | width=120 | Designation | width=200 | Organization Affilitiation | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul W Kruse | Founder |  First Step Back Home | ||||||
| Lana Kruse | Treasurer | St. Joseph Hospital West | ||||||
| Chuck Gatschenberger | Secretary | MO House of Representatives | ||||||
| Chris Bray | Member | PolyOne Corporation | - style="background:#ffffff;" | Drew Rector | Member | St. Joseph Hospital West--> | ||
| Mayor Paul Lambi | Member | Mayor of Wentzville, Missouri | ||||||
| Dave Bonney | Member | Computer Consultant | - style="background:#ffffff;" | Kia Phillips | Member | Missouri Career Center--> | ||
| Carla Campbell | Member | House of Refuge Ministries | ||||||
| bgcolor=98FB98 | | - style="background:#ffffff;" | Bonnie Green | Member | Deaconess Church--> |
The group believes that self-sufficiency and permanent housing are God given rights, and therefore aim to provide help in the form of crisis intervention to the poor and prevention of homelessness in a one stop shop. The group also intends to serve as a Christian witness by this service, and to expand it to other states, foreign and domestic.[5]
FSBH and its members have received awards for their efforts towards the homeless and poor in the community, by the local community, corporations and government.
FSBH primarily raises fund through donations made by private corporations and local community.
It organizes various programs on special occasions, such as; Christmas, New Year and Easter to generate funds to help the poor, including on the group's website. Many local churches and corporations have helped to generate funds for FSBH.[14]