Introducing the Home-Base Support Program

Because healthy homes, support healthy responders

At Responders for Pride, we know the demands of being a first responder extend far beyond the station or the field. The weight of the job is often carried home, where partners and families provide vital support—but too often, their needs are overlooked. That can be especially true for LGBTQ+ first responder families, who may face additional challenges navigating identity, acceptance, and a lack of helpful resources in systems that are often designed with heteronormative assumptions.

That’s why we’re proud to introduce our Home-Base Support Program: an initiative designed to strengthen first responder families by including loved ones in the education, resources, and community-building opportunities they deserve.

Our Mission

The Home-Base Support Program is rooted in one simple belief: a nurtured, stable home-life makes for happier and healthier responders, in every aspect of their lives. This program is designed not just for first responders, but for the people who stand beside them—spouses, partners, and families. By creating spaces for education, connection, and shared growth, we aim to bridge the gap between the high demands of the job and the needs of the home front.

We are especially committed to ensuring LGBTQ+ families feel seen, valued, and included. Support programs for first responders often miss the unique realities of queer couples and families. Home-Base is here to change that—making sure every family has access to affirming, inclusive resources.

What Resources Are Available Right Now?

We’re excited to kick things off with a free, on-demand 1-hour workshop designed specifically for first responder couples. Created and presented by RFP’s Mental Health Ambassador, Katie Bingner, How to Build a Resilient First Responder Relationship explores the unique challenges responders and their loved ones face—and offers simple, practical tools to help navigate them.

This workshop is a flexible resource you can access anytime, anywhere. Whether you want to strengthen communication, better understand the effects of stress and trauma, learn strategies for managing conflict, or simply feel less alone in your journey, this training is here to support you.

And there’s more: the workshop includes a FREE PDF guidebook filled with key insights, practical exercises, and additional resources to keep building resilience long after the video ends.

What’s Coming Next

This is just the beginning. In the coming months, we’re launching monthly virtual spouse support meetings—safe, welcoming spaces where partners of first responders can share their stories, exchange resources, and build community with others who truly “get it.” These meetings will be facilitated by mental health professionals and peer supporters, with space to talk openly about the realities of first responder life—including topics specific to LGBTQ+ couples and families that are often overlooked.

And we’re not stopping there. As the program grows, we’ll continue building resources that reflect the real needs of our community.

We Want to Hear From You

The Home-Base Support Program was built for you, and we want it to grow with you.

What kind of support would make the biggest difference in your home life?

• Peer groups
• More workshops
• Resources for kids and families
• Something else entirely

Your feedback will help us shape this program into a true lifeline for first responder households—especially LGBTQ+ families, who deserve affirming support in spaces that have too often excluded them.

You can also share your thoughts with us by simply replying to this email or through our social channels. Thank you for being a part of our Responder for Pride team! Together, we can create a program that uplifts and empowers every first responder family.

Stronger homes, stronger responders.

The Home-Base Support Program gives first responder families the tools and community they need to thrive. With resources created for and by the LGBTQ+ community, we’re

making sure no household is left without the support they deserve.