Sexually assaulted at age 15, Sarasota resident Holly Weigman started using crack cocaine to manage her grief. One week after her 21st birthday, she landed in jail for the first time. That same week, she found out she was pregnant. Holly credits the First Step Mothers and Infants program for saving her life and the life of her baby.

Holly is among hundreds in our region who make up our most vulnerable population. Many in this group are innocent unborn and newborn babies who reside with their mothers at the Residential Addiction Treatment Center at First Step of Sarasota.