History The First Step Drop-In Centre, as part of the ministry of Jennymount Methodist Church, was established at 116 York Road, Belfast in May 1993 and later extended to include 114 York Road on 20th January 1996. In 1983 a group of people from Jennymount Church began an outreach aimed at socially deviant and disaffected adolescents in the neighbouring area of North Belfast. The main purpose of this undertaking was to befriend and gain a better understanding of the young people, and provide an alternative to their present way of life. As the group 'patrolled' the local parks, derelict buildings and 'hang-outs' of these young people, meeting and talking with them, it soon became apparent there was a geat need to provide a venue where the teenagers could meet. One of the most common complaints, which increased the temptation to make use of the availability of substance abuse, was that they had nothing to do and nowhere to go. The North Belfast area is one that has suffered considerable economic decline over the years. Unemployment is rated as high as an overall 40%, with the young male unemployment reaching 75%. This once prosperous, highly populated, traditionally working class area had, by the late 1970's deteriorated, with the demolition of older houses, and its in-part replacement with modern (but fewer) homes and lack of employment resulted in a strong community population drift. Also many people, particularly in the Protestant community, moved away as the economic prosperity of the post war years brought a rise in living standards, and also as the effect of the "troubles" began to be felt during the 1970's. A bitter sectarian division was created between the two communities and, as a result, it is estimated that 20% of all deaths connected with political violence in Northern Ireland occurred here in North Belfast. The major social problems connected with living in such an environment - alcoholism, substance abuse, domestic violence, the breakdown of the family - will all have had a considerable adverse affect on the community. Considering these factors it is not surprising that people living in the inner city areas have become disaffected, their outlook towards the future marked without hope. It was this moral, social and personal decay that inspired the creation of The First Step Drop-in Centre. Although based on Christian principles, the project has recognised the need to meet people at their point of need, on their own terms and without criticism. The Centre, located in a predominantly loyalist (Paramilitary influenced) area, was established to tackle specific problems encountered by adolescents, in particular the high incidence of alcohol, solvent and drug abuse (which is a growing problem), through means of prevention by providing facilities where the young people can receive guidance and counsel to assist them in dealing with moral, social, emotional and religious problems. This we hope, through the development of their individual skills/talents, will produce a marked change in the contribution adolescents make towards each other, their own personal development and to the community.

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