First Choice Social Services Mission Statement:
To be the First Choice in social services to provide treatment for families affected by domestic violence, substance abuse, and teen homelessness.
About First Choice Social Services
First Choice Social Services is a 501(c)(3) Non –Profit Organization. In 2013, a group of colleagues from diverse backgrounds decided to build an agency that will address the needs of their community. First Choice Social Services collaborates with other agencies to help fulfill its mission.
First Choice Social Services is fortunate to have Bridget Vinson-O’Neal as its Founder/ Executive Director. Mrs. Vinson-O’Neal is a Licenses Social Worker and earned a Master’s Degree in Sciences in Human Services from Capella University. Mrs. Vinson-O’Neal has 28 years of experience working with diverse populations with her expertise in Domestic Violence.
First Choice Social Services provides three service areas:
- Domestic Violence treatment to offenders.
- Substance Abuse Outpatient services
- Residential Services to teens that are aging out of foster care -pending
First Choice Social Services collaborates with other social service agencies to provide:
- Advocates for law enforcement
- Training for law enforcement and military agencies
- Training for Social Work, Criminal Justice, and Human Services interns
- Assist and supports Texas domestic violence offender programs
- Serve on several committees throughout Texas as an Expert in DV.
- Community Partner Under 1 Roof
- Community Partner Ina Mae Greene Foundation
- Member African American Domestic Peace Project
- Member Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community-IDVAAC
- Community Partner A Safe Place-Oakland, California
- Community Partner Our House-Greenville, MS
- Bank of America
Current Supportive Programs:
- A Better Way- Men supporting Men’s Non-Violence Project
- Teen Talk- Education and awareness of teen dating violence, bullying, gender equality
- Partner Advocate Program-Support Victims/Partners of abuse
- SISTAHS-Sister Inspiring Sister to Achieve Higher Success-A leadership program specifically for teen girls between the ages of 14-19 providing skills to reduce generational intimate partner abuse and create social change in their community.
- COVID 19 Emergency Case Management Services
- Small Business Academy
Current Fundraising Initiatives:
10th Anniversary Gala, October 28, 2023
Coffee and Conversation-Health Intimate Partner Relationships Series in the African American Community to discuss the topic of dating, marriage, sex, same-sex relationships
Swing Out Against Teen Homelessness-
Funding
First Choice Social Services relies on the kindness of others through donations, state and local grants, fundraisers, and client fees.
Agency Accomplishments
- 2018 Cohort-Nonprofit Infrastructure Initiative (State Fair of Texas, United Way of Metropolitan of Dallas, and UNT-Dallas)
- United Way of Metropolitan Partner
- 2018 Heritage Foundation Grantee
- 2020 State Fair of Texas Grantee
- 2020 Communities Foundation of Texas Grantee
- 2021 Texas Department of Criminal Justice-CJAD-Grantee
- 2022 Bank of America Grantee
Agency Needs:
- Operating Funds
- Donated Permanent Office Space
- Three lateral filing cabinets
- (2) Office desks
- Donated technical support service for computers, website maintenance-WordPress
- Three diverse board members i.e. Hispanic male, LGBTQI, a Millenial