The First Furrow Fund is a transitional employment program of the Second Story Foundation that supports men leaving residential substance use disorder treatment and entering recovery housing. The program provides paid, short-term work within days of discharge, offering reliable income during a period when the transition into recovery homes is most fragile.

Participants work on the 68-acre Second Story Ranch in Crete, where daily tasks provide structure and routine. Responsibilities include basic horse care, landscaping, maintenance, and support of barn and grounds operations. The work is consistent and skills-building, helping participants establish work habits and confidence as they enter recovery housing.

Wages help cover immediate needs tied to the move into recovery homes, including housing-related costs, food, clothing, transportation, replacement identification, and cell phone service. Early income supports stability, housing security, and continued recovery during the transition from treatment to recovery housing.

The program is funded through private donations and community partnerships, with contributions directly supporting participant wages and essential supplies during their first weeks in recovery housing.

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