Wayne County nonprofit First Step faces funding crisis as domestic violence cases rise

A Wayne County nonprofit that provides critical services to domestic violence and sexual assault survivors is facing a funding crisis that could force it to turn away even more victims seeking help.

First Step, which has served survivors since 1978, held its annual gala Friday night at Laurel Manor in Livonia as the organization grapples with significant federal funding cuts and an uncertain future.

"It feels like hope," said Jeni Hooper, interim executive director of First Step. "It feels like there's a lot of community."

The nonprofit relies heavily on federal funding from VOCA, the Victims of Crime Act, but Michigan received a 40% reduction from VOCA this fiscal year. First Step is now operating without a 2026 budget as federal funding has declined for the past decade while state fun