First Step Shelter hoping its gala raises $250,000

Eileen Zaffiro-Kean, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
·4 min read

DAYTONA BEACH — After more than three years in operation, First Step Shelter is throwing a party to celebrate with the community and raise funds to run the refuge for homeless adults.

A gala will be held on the night of Feb. 4 at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort. The event will begin at 6 p.m., and the evening will include a cocktail reception, dinner, entertainment, honoree awards and a program highlighting the work of First Step Shelter.

The event has been dubbed The Mayor’s Gala, and it's hoped to launch a tradition in Daytona Beach: An annual night of philanthropy aiming to end homelessness.

Daytona Beach's First Step Shelter has largely been supported by government funding, but now the nonprofit is working to raise more private funding. A gala fundraiser is planned for Feb. 4 at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort.
Daytona Beach's First Step Shelter has largely been supported by government funding, but now the nonprofit is working to raise more private funding. A gala fundraiser is planned for Feb. 4 at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort.

"Now is the time to remember how far the city of Daytona Beach and eastern Volusia County have come in helping those experiencing homelessness, and recognize the role played by First Step Shelter," said Mayor Derrick Henry, who has served as chairman of the First Step Shelter Board since before the facility opened in December of 2019.

Community leaders had discussed opening a homeless shelter for decades, and even when efforts got more organized about 10 years ago, attempts to create a shelter failed. The biggest hurdle was locking in funding, and choosing the right location was also a years-long challenge.

A happy ending:First Step Shelter helps Volusia women find peace, home

Learn about Daytona shelter's beginings:Volusia shelter takes its first step

More First Step Shelter backstory:Daytona shelter severs ties with Catholic Charities

The city of Daytona Beach finally took the lead and got the shelter built on city land about five miles west of Interstate 95.

First Step Shelter has mostly run on money from the county government, city of Daytona Beach and several other local cities. Daytona Beach has been providing $400,000 per year, and the county has also been giving $400,000 annually to help cover the shelter's $1.46 million annual budget.

The nonprofit shelter hopes to also attract increasing amounts of private support, and the Feb. 4 fundraiser is a step in that direction.

Everything you need to know about the gala

The gala is aiming to raise at least $250,000. First Step was able to collect $182,500 in corporate sponsorships, and so far has raised another $8,000 in table purchases.

Because of the early and generous commitment from corporate sponsors, the gala expenses were underwritten by November. So that means 100% of what's raised through ticket and table purchases will go directly to First Step Shelter programs, services, operating expenses and assistance for people looking for housing.

First Step Shelter, located on Daytona Beach's western edge, has been in operation since December 2019. The nonprofit facility has helped hundreds of people get off the streets.
First Step Shelter, located on Daytona Beach's western edge, has been in operation since December 2019. The nonprofit facility has helped hundreds of people get off the streets.

Gala attendees can purchase an individual ticket priced at $125, or be part of an eight-person table.

The event will begin with cocktails at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Awards and a keynote speech by Henry will take place around 8 p.m. A video will be shown, and there will be a "call to give" from First Step Shelter Board member and local business owner Mike Panaggio.

The gala's theme is Mardi Gras. A musician will be playing during cocktail hour and dinner, and a magician, juggler and stilts-walker will also perform while people are dining. Attire is black-tie optional.

For more information, go to: https://firststepshelterinc.kindful.com/e/the-mayors-gala-2023

Anyone who has questions or prefers to register by phone can also call Patrick Smith, the shelter's Director of Philanthropy and Engagement, at 386-361-3800 ext. 202. You can also send him an email at psmith@firststepshelter.org.

Outreach program:Daytona's First Step Shelter has a new hotline and outreach program for the homeless

How First Step Shelter helps

Last year, 223 of the 380 people who became residents of First Step Shelter were able to move into housing of their own. A total of 96 shelter residents found jobs, and 199 residents were assisted with getting medical care and obtaining health insurance coverage through Medicaid and Medicare.

Also in 2022, 249 residents started receiving food stamps, and 226 residents were connected with Social Security income.

Daytona Beach's First Step Shelter provides everything residents need, including a bed of their own, food, a place to shower and do laundry, and an array of assistance to get their lives back on track.
Daytona Beach's First Step Shelter provides everything residents need, including a bed of their own, food, a place to shower and do laundry, and an array of assistance to get their lives back on track.

The people who walk through the front doors of First Step Shelter arrive with a lot of challenges. About 90% of them have chronic underlying conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, addiction, diabetes and cancer.

Shelter case managers develop an individualized plan for each resident, and connect them with the agencies and services they need to get back on their feet.

"Though homeless, our residents are not hopeless," said First Step Shelter Executive Director Victoria Fahlberg.

You can reach Eileen at Eileen.Zaffiro@news-jrnl.com

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona Beach's homeless shelter hopes to raise $250,000 with gala

Recommended Stories