Name: Dorothy Browning Title: Client Services Coordinator Organization: First Step Fund Contact Information: 4747 Troost Ave. Kansas City, Mo. (816) 235-6116 www.firststepfund.org
Target businesses and services: Aspiring/Start-ups, education/training.
Helping others to help themselves is the key to services provided by Dorothy Browning, client services coordinator at First Step Fund, a nonprofit agency located at 4747 Troost.
Browning, who joined the agency in January 2003, is responsible for coordinating the entrepreneurial training programs offered by the agency. Target clients are low- to moderate-income individuals in the greater Kansas City area.
“Our goal is to foster economic self-sufficiency through entrepreneurship,” she said. “In addition to coordinating programs, I provide ongoing case management and support to graduates of our programs.”
More than 750 low- to moderate-income entrepreneurs have enrolled in its programs since the organization was founded, and participants have an 82 percent graduation rate.
In addition, ongoing support is currently provided to more than 300 program graduates. The agency also has made 20 loans totaling more than $45,000 to support business start-ups and expansions, has assisted with the start-up and expansions of more than 200 businesses that employ 308 individuals, and has matched 76 protégés and mentors in year-long relationships.
First Step Fund offers two primary programs. The First Step FastTrac is a 10-week course designed to enable clients to complete a feasibility study for their business. Family Child Care Entrepreneur Course is an industry-specific training for family childcare providers. After completing the 54-hour course, students have both a business plan and a parent handbook for their business.
Graduates of both FastTrac and Family Child Care classes can join the fund’s Alumni Group for access to a variety of ongoing services. These services include monthly networking opportunities, shared resources and continued training through guest speakers and presentations.
In addition, graduates of the First Step Fund programs are eligible for financing through a microloan program, case management services, a mentor program and a speaker’s bureau.
Founded in 1993, First Step Fund is guided by a voluntary board of directors. The agency is affiliated with a number of area organizations, including the Association for Economic Opportunity, GO Connection, Historic Northeast Restoration Corporation, Metropolitan Community Colleges, Women’s Bureau of the Department of Labor, Community Economic Development Committee (state micro enterprise association), Francis Child Development Institute, Women’s Employment Network and the Downtown Minority Development Corporation.
Browning said the agency’s future plans include “continuing to add services as demand dictates and developing formal collaborations with other community partners.”
