Retired Florida State University women's basketball coach Sue Semrau founded The First 12 with a simple belief: no one should have to face hardship alone.
 

The idea was born in 2020 while Coach Sue was on sabbatical to support her mother during her cancer journey. While walking through Seattle, she witnessed the growing number of people experiencing homelessness and felt called to learn how she could make a difference.
 

Back in Tallahassee, she met with local leaders starting with Mayor John Dailey. He recommended other community organizations to better understand the challenges facing individuals and families living at or near the poverty line. She then invited the first 12 people who responded to an email to gather for lunch and explore how they could work together. That meeting became The First 12.
 

Today, The First 12 brings together community individuals and organizations from the nonprofit, business, faith-based, education, healthcare, government, and community sectors to build relationships, connect resources, and create collaborative solutions that help neighbors thrive.