I built this because two people I care about needed help — and finding it was harder than it should have been
I didn’t start building this because I thought Vermont needed another website. I started because two people I care about asked me for help, and I didn’t know what to tell them.
A coworker was ready to look for substance-use treatment but had no idea where to begin. I sat down and started researching programs, phone numbers, eligibility, and what the next step actually looked like. Around the same time, a friend was dealing with homelessness. I watched them spend time and energy they barely had calling places, reaching dead ends, and trying to understand programs that didn’t seem connected.
Their situations were different, but I kept seeing the same thing: help existed, but finding it was too hard — especially when someone was already exhausted, scared, or trying to survive.
I’m a student working two jobs and studying here in Vermont to become a substance-abuse counselor. I don’t have a big team or a big budget. I built Our First Step Connect in the hours around school and work because I wanted someone in that moment to have a clearer place to start.
The app is free and privacy-first. It brings together starting points for recovery, mental health, housing, food, safety, benefits, support meetings, workplace rights, and other local needs.
Try it: https://ourfirststepconnect.org
I also started a $5,000 GoFundMe to pay for resource verification, accessibility work, real-user testing, hosting, and basic outreach: https://gofund.me/09b1b4ba7
This is an independent, founder-led startup, not a nonprofit, and donations are not tax-deductible. If you can’t donate, trying the app and telling me what is missing or confusing would honestly mean a lot.
I know a website can’t fix a crisis or replace the people already doing this work. I just want the first step to be a little easier to find.
This does not replace 911, 988, medical care, legal advice, or counseling.