First Step Staffing

First Step Staffing (FSS) is a non-profit, alternative staffing organization that places work-ready employees in the light industrial, hospitality, and logistics sectors. They employ those striving to overcome barriers, giving preference to those who have recently experienced homelessness, military veterans, and individuals who have been previously incarcerated.

Since RIIF’s initial loan to FSS Los Angeles in 2019, the entire organization has provided employment to 22,752 individuals and has expanded to three additional sites, for a total footprint of 10 offices in seven states.

A second $500k term loan from RIIF, which is part of a $4.5M financing initiative from Reinvestment Fund, will free up cash flow so FSS can scale its employment programming and continue to expand across the country. Through this next phase of growth, FSS will employ an additional 1,000+ people per year by 2025.