One of the most significant projects of our 25th anniversary year has been the creation of 25 Stories for 25 Years, a commemorative book capturing the voices of the people who have helped shape First Step over the past quarter century.
While First Step regularly shares stories from clients and community members, this collection deliberately turned the focus toward staff and volunteers: the people behind the work. Across its pages are reflections from clinicians, reception staff, nurses, volunteers, peer workers, board members and long-time supporters, each offering their own perspective on what First Step has meant to them.
Together, the stories capture the heart, complexity, persistence and care that have shaped First Step over 25 years.
The collection also traces the extraordinary growth of First Step itself, from its beginnings during the height of Melbourne’s heroin crisis in 2000, to the integrated multidisciplinary organisation it is today. Yet across the decades, familiar themes continue to emerge: people showing up for one another, relationships built on trust, and staff going above and beyond to ensure that people don’t fall through the cracks.
The result is a deeply human portrait of an organisation that has always been about more than treatment. It is about people. About showing up. About believing that everybody deserves every chance to turn their life around.
After 25 years, one thing remains clear: every story counts. One step at a time.
Click on the image to download the book:
