Port City Refuge First Steps

https://mynbc15.com/news/local/mobile-homeless-id-card-gains-federal-recognition-now-accepted-by-social-security-office

Mobile homeless ID card gains federal recognition, now accepted by social security office For people experiencing homelessness, proving who they are can often times be the first step toward getting back on their feet, and it can also become a very da

SOCIAL SECURITY ACCEPTS MOBILE ID
🪪 Mobile’s locally issued identification card for people experiencing homelessness can now be used as supporting identification when applying for a replacement Social Security card.

🏛️ The Social Security Administration has approved the Mobile Homeless Outreach Identification Card as acceptable third-level identification evidence and added it to the National Identity Document Database as a recognized “Homeless Identification Card.”

That means Social Security field offices can accept the Mobile-issued card as part of the identification process for people seeking replacement Social Security cards.

The City of Mobile Department of Public Safety said the program was created by its Homeless Outreach Team to address a common problem: People without identification can face difficulty obtaining jobs, housing, government benefits, healthcare and other services.

The federal recognition expands the usefulness of an identification card that was originally developed to solve that problem locally.

The city credited Officer Justin Howard and First Steps Director Kevin Lazarus with helping develop and advance the initiative.

FIRST STEPS — CANCELLED THIS WEEK
We’re sorry for the inconvenience, but First Steps will not be holding services this week.

We know many of our clients and partner agencies depend on our weekly services, and we hate any inconvenience this may cause.

We appreciate your patience and understanding, and we look forward to seeing our clients, volunteers, and partner agencies again next Tuesday!
Thank you to everyone who continues to support the work of First Steps.

People. Progress. Possibilities.

What is this going to do to help you?

She shared, “I guess I've been on the streets now for a month and a half, two months. Something like that, and this is a lifeline. What y'all do right here with the ID is a lifeline. You are literally throwing me a rope in sinking waters and giving me a line back to getting my life as it was previously."

Throughout her time with us, she expressed just how grateful she was for the help and support she received. Her appreciation was evident in the way she spoke about what this opportunity meant to her and how much she valued having someone come alongside her during such an important time.

Her gratitude is a reminder that sometimes a simple act of help can mean more than we realize. Being given the opportunity to take this step toward getting her ID has given her encouragement and something to hold onto as she works toward getting her life back on track.

We are so thankful for her gracious spirit and the appreciation she showed for everyone who helped her along the way. It is an honor to be part of moments where someone can feel supported, encouraged, and hopeful about what comes next.

Want to be part of this journey?
👉 Volunteer or donate at www.firststepspcr.org

What opportunities can open when you have the identification you need?

He shared with us, “This is going to help me with my identity in looking for a job. That’s something you are going to need. Yeah, it’s something you need.” Sometimes, the things we may take for granted—like having an ID—can make a meaningful difference in someone’s ability to move forward.

Having an identity can bring a sense of security, confidence, and comfort in knowing who you are and having the identification to prove it. It can be one less barrier standing between someone and the opportunities they are working toward.

At First Steps, we are grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside people as they work toward a brighter and more stable future. We’re honored to support them along the way and celebrate each step forward.

Want to be part of this journey?
👉 Volunteer or donate at www.firststepspcr.org

JUST 2 HOURS A WEEK CAN HELP CHANGE A LIFE.

First Steps is growing, and we need more volunteers!

Over the past 15 months, First Steps has helped more than 800 people in Mobile’s homeless community obtain identification, Social Security cards, birth certificates, and connections to the services they need to begin moving forward.

And we do it one person at a time.

We’re looking for compassionate people who can give just 2 hours a week to serve alongside us. You don’t need special experience—we’ll show you what to do. You simply need a heart for people and a willingness to help.

If you’ve been looking for a way to get involved in our community where you can actually see the difference your time makes, we would love to have you on the First Steps team.

2 hours a week. Real people. Real impact. Lives changed.

Interested in volunteering? Send us a message and let’s talk!

Please share this post—you may know exactly the person we need.

For this gentleman, getting an ID is an important step toward getting back on track. Having proper identification can help open the door to employment and give him the opportunity to begin rebuilding his life.

He told us, “Getting my ID is going to help me get a job and help me get a life again, get it going. Thank you!”

First Steps is honored to help remove barriers like these and walk alongside people as they work toward greater stability and independence. We’re grateful to be part of his journey and excited to see what opportunities this next step brings.

Want to be part of this journey?
👉 Volunteer or donate at www.firststepspcr.org

867 lives touched. And every number represents a person.

We are incredibly proud to have served the District 2, downtown Mobile homeless community, along with the District 4 Tillmans Corner area over the past 15 months.

To think that First Steps has had the opportunity to walk alongside 867 individuals in such a short time is incredible. But what means the most to us isn't the number—it's seeing what can happen when someone gets the help they need.

We've watched people obtain identification, get connected to benefits, find employment, enter recovery, secure housing, and begin rebuilding their lives. Sometimes something as simple as an ID or Social Security card can be the first step toward an entirely different future.

We love our community. We love the people we serve. And we are grateful every day for the opportunity to help.

There is still so much work to do, and we'll keep showing up—one person, one need, and one First Step at a time.

🏠 MOBILE — HELP US GROW SAFE HOUSING OPTIONS

Steps to Shelter is looking for reputable, reasonably priced boarding houses and room rentals in the Mobile area that can help people who are ready to take their next step forward.

We’re especially looking for housing options for people coming out of recovery, transitioning from homelessness, living on fixed incomes, or simply needing a safe and affordable place to get back on their feet.

Know a boarding house? Own or operate one?

It’s easy to get connected. Simply go to Step2Shelter.com and list the house with us.

For the protection of both residents and our community partners, every house is reviewed and vetted before it is made available to participating agencies.

Our goal is to give local agencies more safe, affordable housing options when they are helping someone who is ready to get off the streets.

The more good housing partners we can bring together, the more people we can help.

👉 Step2Shelter.com

Please share this in the Mobile community. You may know a property owner or boarding house operator who can help open the door to someone's next step.