First Hand
First Hand Articles
Autism Awareness and Acceptance: An Unexpected Journey
By sharing my personal journey living with autism, I hope to continue raising awareness, enhancing understanding, and humanizing the narratives…
It Works If You Work It, So Keep Coming Back
Every day brings new challenges as we tackle hurdles together, functioning not just as an office but as a community…
“I figured I would spend the rest of my life out here and would die on the streets.”
Matthew had been sleeping outside for years, living in survival mode, hand to mouth. He was actively using drugs, and…
Tiny Triumphs, Major Milestones- Rita’s Journey
Change can blossom in the seemingly trivial - an opened door, an answered phone call, a sense of warmth. It…
Healed People Heal People: My journey to becoming a CPRS
Because of my Higher Power and this woman, this CPRS (Certified Peer Recovery Supporter), I had more freedom from behind…
Empathy and Resilience: Meet Asa, Senior firsthand Guide in Memphis, TN
Asa is a Senior firsthand Guide in Memphis, TN. Despite facing huge challenges in her life, Asa has not only…
The path to self-sufficiency is paved with support: How accepting help made me stronger
My name is Derek. I'm here to share my story of how accepting help from others not only changed my…
Persistence Pays Off- The importance of meeting individuals where they are in recovery
In December 2022, I had the opportunity to connect with an incredible individual on their recovery journey. Let's refer to…
Pride through Prejudice- Navigating Mental Health and Embracing LGBTQ+ Identity
When I reflect on my life, I know that the younger version of me, the little Mallory who never thought…