About Us
First Year Forward (FYF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the divorce experience into a journey of personal growth and resilience.
Through our guided healing circles, resources, and strong community support, we help individuals navigate divorce with confidence, clarity, and courage—opening doors to new possibilities.
Originally founded as a local initiative in Chicago, we are currently expanding our program nationwide.
WHY FIRST YEAR FORWARD?
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Join a vibrant, supportive community dedicated to personal transformation. Our sessions are designed to foster deep connections, allowing you to heal alongside others who truly understand and support your journey.
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We provide a clear, actionable process for holistic development, promoting self-reflection, cultivating a positive mindset, aligning actions with core values, and developing healthier habits.
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Gain insights into your strengths and uncover new possibilities for your life. Our program focuses on helping you rediscover yourself and build a future filled with renewed purpose and direction.
We emphasize personal responsibility, agency, and growth, guiding individuals to take ownership of their actions and initiate positive changes in their lives. -
In addition to our healing circles, we offer practical skills (including important information about taking on new responsibilities). Equip yourself with practical tools and strategies you can immediately apply in your life. Learn skills that not only aid in your healing but also empower you to navigate future challenges with confidence.
Our Vision
To foster individual and community resilience as a foundation for navigating divorce and other life transitions — creating a ripple effect for a better world.
BY THE NUMBERS
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The trauma of divorce can take a tremendous toll on our bodies. FYF’s curriculum focuses on healing heartbreak through connection, awe, rituals, and more.
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Divorce may seem commonplace, but it is nonetheless challenging and stressful. FYF provides a sense of belonging and community, helping you feel less alone.
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FYF supports participants in doing their inner work to understand their role in relationship patterns, and develop habits and tools for healthier relationships in the future.
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Creating a stable co-parenting environment is critical to the health of your entire family. programs are here to help you improve communication and create healthy boundaries.
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Our program focuses on improving all of our relationships through empathy and attunement. This leads to healthier connections with our co-parent and children.
Our Commitments
First Year Forward (FYF), we are dedicated to creating a supportive and empowering environment for individuals navigating divorce. Our commitments include:
Collaboration and Partnership: We actively seek partnerships with organizations, sponsors, and professionals to enhance our offerings and broaden our impact.
Commitment to Accessibility: We are dedicated to assessing pathways to increase accessibility to our programs, with the goal of minimizing barriers to participation in the future.
Compassionate Support: We provide a caring, non-judgmental space for individuals to express their feelings and experiences related to divorce.
Community Building: We believe in the power of connection and support among peers. Our healing circles and networks foster meaningful relationships that contribute to collective healing.
Confidentiality: We maintain a safe environment where individuals can share their experiences without fear of judgment or breach of privacy.
Continuous Improvement: We evolve our programs based on feedback and the changing needs of our community, ensuring we effectively serve those we support.
Empowerment through Education: We strive to equip our community with resources, tools, and knowledge that foster personal growth and resilience during and after the divorce process.
Holistic Approach: We address the emotional, physical, mental, and social aspects of healing to ensure comprehensive support for individuals.
Inclusivity and Diversity: We are committed to embracing individuals from all walks of life and backgrounds, with the goal of ensuring equal access to our programs and valuing every voice within our community.
Personal Responsibility: We encourage individuals to take ownership of their journeys, promoting accountability and self-reflection as vital components of growth and healing.