In 1996, Reverend Richard Reed launched community outreach and recovery efforts in South-Central. He soon realized that people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness, and mental health issues lacked adequate support services. With guidance from his mentor, Reverend Cecil “Chip” Murray, and support from his family, Reverend Reed founded First To Serve. In 2002, they opened a state-certified 15-bed facility for substance abuse and transitional housing in South Los Angeles.

Today, First To Serve, Inc. provides essential resources to hundreds of underserved people in homeless communities by offering supportive housing throughout Los Angeles. First To Serve also provides domestic violence housing for single women and women with children. First To Serve continually builds partnerships with local, state, and federal resources to extend services to underserved communities.

Our programs serve people during some of the hardest moments of their lives. This work requires compassion, documentation, privacy, and coordination. FTS supports practical solutions that help people move from crisis to stability. We support partnerships that expand access to safe shelter and housing, strengthen behavioral health and recovery support, protect survivors of domestic violence, and reduce returns to homelessness.