First Step Back Home: Housing & Hope for the Homeless
First Step Back Home, Inc. is a faith-based homeless ministry based in Lake Saint Louis, Missouri, that has helped more than 220 working-poor and homeless individuals rebuild their lives. Mary Martha Thrift Shop is proud to support First Step Back Home, with our charitable awards funding temporary housing, rent, court and legal fees, phone and internet access, transportation, repairs and maintenance for clients, personal needs for the homeless and working poor, and contributions to other missions.
A Hand Up, Not Just a Handout
First Step Back Home understands that escaping homelessness is rarely a single step. It is a long, complex journey that requires stable housing, identification, transportation, legal help, and the basic tools to reconnect with society. That is why their program is so comprehensive. They help clients secure temporary housing and pay rent so they have a safe place to start. They assist with court and legal fees that can block access to employment or housing. They provide phones and internet so clients can apply for jobs and stay in touch with support networks. They help with transportation, vehicle repairs, and maintenance so clients can get to work.
Beyond logistics, First Step Back Home provides for personal needs — the everyday essentials that restore dignity and signal to a person that they are seen and valued. They also contribute to other missions, multiplying their impact across the region.
Why Mary Martha Supports First Step Back Home
Our mission is to serve the underserved, and few neighbors are more underserved than those experiencing homelessness. First Step Back Home shares our belief that every person deserves a path home — and the support to walk it. Recently, our shop welcomed a presentation by Lana Kruse about "First Steps Back Home," a powerful reminder of the impact our volunteers and donors make possible.
In 2025, Mary Martha's charitable awards reached $217,632 across more than 30 local organizations. First Step Back Home is a vital part of that giving.
How You Can Help
You can support First Step Back Home by shopping and donating at Mary Martha Thrift Shop. Financial contributions, vehicle donations, and volunteer time are also welcome directly through their ministry. To learn more about First Step Back Home, their program, and the lives they have changed, visit their website. Together, we are helping our homeless neighbors take that critical first step back home.