Celebrating Excellence with Our 2025 Award Winners: First Step Gala
Five Extraordinary Stories of Impact Await You
As we prepare for the 2025 First Step Gala on Friday, October 17th, we're thrilled to announce this year's exceptional award recipients. Under the theme "You Are the Light," these outstanding individuals and organizations exemplify the resilience, dedication, and community spirit that drive our mission forward.
2025 Award Recipients
The First Step Karen Wilson Smithbauer Legacy Award
Recipient: Theresa Bizoe
Named after philanthropist and business leader Karen Wilson Smithbauer, this prestigious award recognizes individuals who inspire dedication and create lasting impact toward First Step's vision of peaceful families and safe communities. Theresa Bizoe joins an distinguished group of past recipients who have positively impacted thousands of survivors through their generosity, skills, and passion.
The First Step Tillie Award for Outstanding Volunteer
Recipients: Exchange Club of Lincoln Park and Exchange Club of Trenton
This year's Tillie Award honors two exceptional volunteer organizations whose service takes positive action that changes the world and inspires others by example. Named in memory of longtime volunteer Tillie LaFave, who served First Step for decades and encouraged three generations of her family to become involved in our mission, this award celebrates the power of sustained volunteer commitment.
The First Step Hope Award for Extraordinary Staff
Recipient: Zack Bolin
Zack Bolin exemplifies excellence in service to First Step's mission and to the movement to end violence. This award recognizes staff members who go above and beyond in their dedication to supporting survivors and creating positive change in our community.
The First Step Corporate or Foundation Partnership Award
Recipient: Corewell Health
Corewell Health has demonstrated exceptional excellence in community service, particularly in supporting First Step and survivors of violence in our community. This award celebrates businesses and foundations that understand the importance of corporate social responsibility in addressing domestic and sexual violence.
The First Step Community Leadership Award
Recipient: Soroptimist International of Downriver
The Soroptimist International of Downriver has gone above and beyond to support survivors of violence in Wayne County. This award recognizes groups, teams, and partner organizations that show extraordinary commitment to our shared mission.
Honoring Our 2024 Champions
We also take this moment to recognize our outstanding 2024 award recipients who continued to make remarkable contributions to our community: Jonathan Dreyfuss (Legacy Award), Kat Nelson (Tillie Award), Alexis Reed (Hope Award), DTE Foundation (Corporate Partnership Award), and Community Financial Credit Union (Community Leadership Award).
Join Us at the 2025 Gala
When: Friday, October 17, 2025, 6:30 pm - 11:30 pm
Where: Laurel Manor, 39000 Schoolcraft Road, Livonia, MI 48150
Experience an evening designed to feel like an awards ceremony, complete with dinner, music by The Bluewater Kings, silent auction, and an open bar. Most importantly, you'll witness the recognition of these incredible honorees and hear empowering speakers who embody our theme "You Are the Light".