First Place for Youth

First Place for Youth With the right guidance and support, teens leaving foster care can defy the odds stacked against them.

A year ago, Stevie found something they'd been looking for: stability. Today, they're building a future shaped by their ...
08/29/2026

A year ago, Stevie found something they'd been looking for: stability. Today, they're building a future shaped by their creativity, empathy, and determination, not just for themself, but for others who grew up in foster care.

With support from First Place for Youth, Stevie has been able to focus on what matters most: school, growth, and their goals. They're now studying social work and working toward a master's degree and a future in policy work that could help reshape the systems meant to support youth like them.

"I'm still pushing. I'm still going. I still keep my goals moving up and up and up and up. I don't let those goals just fizzle out."

Stevie is proof of what's possible with the right support system behind you. 💛

Belonging took center stage as all three Solano programs, ILSP, MFP, and Housing Navigation, came together for the Indep...
08/27/2026

Belonging took center stage as all three Solano programs, ILSP, MFP, and Housing Navigation, came together for the Independent City and Back to School Event!

Youth attending the event visited tables hosted by community partners, including the Food Bank/CalFresh, Valley Strong, Solano Social Workers, Vacaville City HR, and the Vacaville Housing Authority. At each table, youth learned about available programs and benefits and collected stickers for a chance to win a raffle prize. To close out the event, youth received backpacks and school supplies to help kick off the new school year.

Thank you to everyone who helped bring the Solano programs together for this collaborative celebration of community and belonging!

The strength of our services starts with the strength of our staff. This month, our teams are focused on High Quality En...
08/26/2026

The strength of our services starts with the strength of our staff. This month, our teams are focused on High Quality Engagement, building authentic relationships where young people feel heard, valued, and empowered.

For transition-age youth navigating adulthood without a traditional safety net, these relationships can make all the difference.

Read more from Director of Practice Development Kwamane Harris: https://firstplaceforyouth.org/investing-in-our-staff-this-months-focus-on-high-quality-engagement/

Tickets are officially on sale! Join us for In the Key of Possibility, an evening of music, community, and impact benefi...
08/22/2026

Tickets are officially on sale! Join us for In the Key of Possibility, an evening of music, community, and impact benefiting foster youth across Los Angeles and beyond, taking place Thursday, October 22, 2026.

Hosted at Somerville in Windsor Hills, this celebration will feature a live band, delicious food, and inspiring stories from the young people whose lives are transformed through First Place for Youth's programs.

Every ticket and sponsorship directly supports foster youth as they build stable, independent futures. We hope you'll join us for an unforgettable night for an incredible cause.

Get your tickets today: https://paybee.io/@26

25 years of the Jim Casey Initiative, and 25 years of foster youth leading the way for systems change.Mississippi Youth ...
08/20/2026

25 years of the Jim Casey Initiative, and 25 years of foster youth leading the way for systems change.

Mississippi Youth Voice, a First Place for Youth program in partnership with the Jim Casey Initiative and the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services, is led by young people with lived foster care experience who advocate for policies and practices that improve life for foster youth across the state.

Their advocacy has led to real wins, including the Kinkade FAITH Scholarship, which now covers the full cost of attendance for current and former foster youth at all state and many private colleges in Mississippi.

Thank you to the Annie E. Casey Foundation for celebrating 25 years of a network built on the leadership of young people with lived experience.

We're proud to share that our My First Place (MFP) program has been newly rated "3 - Promising Research Evidence" by the...
08/18/2026

We're proud to share that our My First Place (MFP) program has been newly rated "3 - Promising Research Evidence" by the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse (CEBC) in their Youth Transitioning Into Adulthood Programs topic area.

This rating reflects the strength of research behind our approach to supporting foster youth through their transition to adulthood, and reinforces our commitment to evidence-based practices that create lasting impact.

Thank you to CEBC for this recognition!

Congratulations to Michael, a First Place for Youth participant, on completing an 8-week summer position in a creative a...
08/14/2026

Congratulations to Michael, a First Place for Youth participant, on completing an 8-week summer position in a creative art director role!

Through this opportunity, Michael gained valuable real-world experience in his field and had the chance to grow his professional skills. We're so proud of his hard work and dedication this summer.

Way to go, Michael! We can't wait to see what you create next!

Memories that last a lifetime!Last Wednesday, our SF ILSP team took our youth to their first-ever Giants vs. Brewers gam...
08/12/2026

Memories that last a lifetime!

Last Wednesday, our SF ILSP team took our youth to their first-ever Giants vs. Brewers game at Oracle Park. Despite living in San Francisco, many of our youth had never experienced one of the most beautiful ballparks in the country.

Watching them ask questions, learn about the game, and soak in the experience was a powerful reminder of why moments like these matter. Every opportunity like this helps expand a young person's world, introducing them to new traditions, new spaces, and the feeling that these places belong to them too.

That's the kind of access that builds confidence, curiosity, equity, and a stronger sense of belonging.

We're grateful to everyone who helps make experiences like this possible for the youth we serve, and a special thanks to Natalia Hernández, ILSP Program Intake Specialist Lead, for sharing this story with us!

Thousands of young people in foster care turn 18 each year and are told the same thing: you're on your own now. No housi...
08/11/2026

Thousands of young people in foster care turn 18 each year and are told the same thing: you're on your own now. No housing, no safety net, just a deadline set by the calendar.

The evidence is settled. Young people who remain in foster care through age 21 are more likely to have stable housing, finish school, and find employment, and significantly less likely to become involved in the criminal legal system.

There's real momentum for change. Oklahoma recently extended foster care to age 21, and the Fostering the Future Act passed the House unanimously earlier this year. But state-level action is still needed across the country.

Read our latest blog on why extending support past 18 isn't radical, it's simply what works: https://firstplaceforyouth.org/we-ask-18-year-olds-to-do-what-most-adults-cant/

We're Hiring — Chief Strategy and Expansion Officer Every year, thousands of young people age out of foster care with no...
08/07/2026

We're Hiring — Chief Strategy and Expansion Officer

Every year, thousands of young people age out of foster care with nowhere to go. First Place for Youth is changing that — and we're looking for a builder to help us do it at national scale.

As our Chief Strategy and Expansion Officer, you won't just plan growth — you'll drive it. You'll open new markets, secure the public funding that makes them possible, and build the partnerships that turn strategy into impact for foster youth across the country.

What you'll do:
Expand our reach. Lead data-driven expansion into new states and regions — from market analysis to program launch.

Unlock funding. Secure public dollars through deep expertise in Title IV-E and workforce development streams, and partner with Development to diversify revenue.

Shape the conversation. Represent FPFY with government leaders, coalitions, and national task forces — becoming one of the most visible voices for transition-age foster youth in the country.

Build a team that builds futures. Lead a national team with the same urgency and care you'll bring to the mission.

This is a seat at the table with the CEO and executive leadership — a true thought partner role for someone who thrives where strategy, policy, and purpose meet.

Why First Place for Youth:
Comprehensive health coverage (up to 90% employer-paid), 401(k), generous PTO, paid sabbatical, and a team that shows up fully for the young people we serve — and for each other.

If you're ready to build something that changes the trajectory of thousands of lives, we want to talk to you.

Learn More: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4447406268/

Address

426 17th Street, Ste 100
Oakland, CA
94612

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when First Place for Youth posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share