First Light, Inc.

First Light’s mission is to offer those experiencing homelessness stable emergency shelter, access to housing programs, and the resources for them to achieve their full potential.

First Light provides much more than a safe place to sleep—ensuring that every guest gets professional guidance and support to build confidence and competence to achieve her best level of self-sufficiency and independence.

Each emergency shelter guest or supportive housing resident gets individualized guidance from a qualified professional to develop and adhere to a plan of action to overcome barriers to self-sufficiency. She is referred to the services and treatment she needs including healthcare, legal assistance, job-training, GED preparation, mental healthcare, and substance abuse counseling. “Wraparound social services” is a term of art referring to intensive, individualized care planning and comprehensive, holistic services addressing a wide range of needs. This level of service is the bedrock of First Light’s mission and success. First Light works in collaboration with many agencies and organizations to meet the complex needs of every member of the family. First Light implements proven strategies of trauma-informed care to create a trusting, non-threatening environment that fosters feelings of safety and acceptance. The relationship a guest develops with a caring, educated, experienced social services professional is instrumental to her success in providing safety and stability for herself and for her children. And more than 3,750 volunteers each year ensure that every First Light guest knows she is part of a caring community.

Caring professionals and dedicated volunteers make First Light shine.

Sherry Bray was Director of Social Services at First Light for more than twenty years before becoming Executive Director in January 2022. She has a Master's degree in Social Work and a Master of Public Administration degree. She is an adjunct professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the Alabama Conference on Social Work, and is on the Advisory Board of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Montevallo Social Work Programs. She was a recipient of a community Local Hero and White Wolf Award for excellence in service.

Director of Social Services Byanca Underwood earned her undergraduate degree from Dillard University and a MS degree in Counseling from Capella University. Ms. Underwood is currently pursuing a MS degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of West Alabama. She has over 20 years of experience working in homeless, domestic violence, and under-served communities. She has a broad knowledge of resources and established relationships in the community that helps to eliminate barriers to persons seeking help to better their life situation. She has implemented programs to provide better access to health and mental health services and instrumental in advocating and for child care services.

First Light started as a makeshift shelter in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church in 1983 by volunteers would not turn a blind eye to homeless women on the streets of Birmingham. But as the homeless population grew, more space was urgently needed. In May of 1998, First Light was incorporated as a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization. With the support of a generous community, the old Granada Hotel was purchased and renovated to serve more women and children, and to serve them better. First Light became the community’s only emergency shelter accessible to homeless women and their children 24 hours a day, providing extensive professional social services and the support of caring, dedicated volunteers. First Light has since established effective supportive housing programs to meet the needs of guests leaving the shelter who need help sustaining housing—and has expanded its reach to provide rapid re-housing to homeless individuals and families throughout the community. The governing board is researching what is next to better serve homeless families with children.