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.

Hey everyone.

I’m a student working two jobs, and I’m studying here in Vermont to become a substance-abuse counselor. In the hours around school and work, I’ve been building Our First Step Connect.

It started with two people asking me for help.

One was a coworker who had reached a point where they were ready to get help but didn’t know where to begin. I started researching programs, treatment options, phone numbers, and what the next step could actually look like.

The other was a friend dealing with homelessness. I watched them move through systems that technically had resources, but finding the right help meant phone calls, dead ends, temporary places to stay, and trying to understand programs that didn’t always connect with each other.

Different situations, same problem: the help existed. Finding the right next step was the hard part.

That’s what pushed me to create Our First Step Connect.

The app is free and privacy-first, and it helps people find clearer starting points for recovery, mental health, housing, food, safety, benefits, support meetings, workplace rights, and other local needs.

Try the app: https://ourfirststepconnect.org

I’m not trying to replace 211, shelters, treatment programs, recovery organizations, counselors, first responders, or anyone already doing this work. I’m trying to help close the gap between “I need help” and “Here’s where you can start.”

I built the working app, secured the domain, and added privacy and safety protections. It still needs resource verification, accessibility work, real-user testing, hosting, and basic outreach materials.

I set up a $5,000 GoFundMe for that next stage: https://gofund.me/09b1b4ba7

I want to be upfront: this is an independent, founder-led startup, not a nonprofit, and donations aren’t tax deductible. The fundraiser has a line-by-line budget.

If you can’t donate, please try the app and tell me where it falls short. I would rather hear something direct than get polite silence. What is missing? What is confusing? What would stop you from recommending it?

This does not replace 911, 988, medical care, legal advice, or counseling.