About Families First Center
Families First Center exists for one simple, powerful reason: children deserve safe, meaningful relationships—and families deserve support, not judgment, as they work toward stability and reunification.
For more than 50 years, we have served St. Joseph County as a trusted partner to families navigating some of life’s most difficult transitions. When separation, court involvement, or crisis interrupts family life, we create the conditions for connection, healing, and forward movement.
Our Story
Families First Center began in 1972 as F.I.R.E. (Families Involved in Rehabilitative Environments), founded by concerned community members led by Reverend Stephen Sedlock. From the beginning, the belief was clear and ahead of its time: family environments—not institutions—are essential to rehabilitation and growth.
In the decades that followed, F.I.R.E. helped pioneer family-centered approaches in St. Joseph County, including operating youth homes and shelters that emphasized guidance, stability, and community involvement. Many of those early initiatives continue today under other agencies, standing as proof of a model that worked—and still does.
In 1992, the organization established an on-site supervised visitation center to meet a growing need for safe, neutral spaces where children and parents could remain connected during court-involved separations. As our mission sharpened, Families First Center emerged as a specialized organization dedicated to family preservation, reunification, and trauma-informed support.
Who We Are Today
Today, Families First Center provides court-ordered supervised visitation in St. Joseph County, working closely with the Indiana Department of Child Services, St. Joseph County Courts, Family Recovery Court, and community partners.
Our services have expanded over time to meet families where they are, including:
Court-ordered supervised visitation
Family Recovery Court visitation for parents in recovery
Evidence-based parent education
Home-based case management
Concrete family support
"This is such a warm and friendly place for families going through tough times."
—Tracie B.
A Space That Feels Like Home
Families First Center is housed in a large, historic home near downtown South Bend—intentionally designed to feel calm, welcoming, and non-institutional.
Instead of visiting in offices or courtrooms, families gather in rooms with toys, books, games, and space to sit together. Parents are encouraged to share meals, play, talk, and practice new skills in an environment that supports connection rather than fear.
Because space matters—especially when trust is being rebuilt.
