HISTORY
Charle Street, as it is popularly known today, was founded in 1952. The original house was located on the corner of Harbor Boulevard and 19th Street, where Triangle Square now stands.

A small, old house was rented from a physician for $50 a month. It had one large room, one small bathroom, and pink curtains. After several weeks of renovations, it opened in March, 1952, as a recovery home for alcoholics.
In 1955, the facility was relocated to Newport Boulevard and Bay Street. After three years, the location moved again to Harbor Boulevard and Hamilton Street, where it operated for the next six years. In 1956 we officially became The First Step House of Orange County, Inc., a 501 (c) 3, non-profit corporation.

With funds, generously donated by private citizens, the house moved to its present location in 1961. In 1993, the original one-story house was torn down to be rebuilt into the fine facility it is today. This arduous and expensive task was accomplished by the Board of Directors, utilizing money raised in various fund-raising events, and the selfless contributions of a myriad of private donors.

Today, Charle Street provides a new beginning for the lives of up to 21 recovering alcoholics during their 10 day stay in the house.

OUR MISSION
To assist men suffering from alcoholism begin both their recovery and integration back into society.

OUR VISION
To better educate the community of Costa Mesa, and the County of Orange, about the disease of Alcoholism and Addiction.

Our hopes are that the community becomes more knowledgeable about this devastating disease and participates in understanding the process.

“Perfect abstinence is considerably easier to achieve than perfect moderation.”