First Place for Youth

03/19/2025

Foster youth deserve more than just access to education—they deserve the stability and support needed to succeed once they get there.

03/19/2025

For foster youth on the brink of independence, mastering mindfulness skills can prove to be the difference between struggling and thriving in adulthood.

03/18/2025

Foster youth deserve more than just access to education—they deserve the stability and support needed to succeed once they get there. That’s why First Place for Youth partnered with local leaders in Pasadena to create affordable housing with wraparound services for foster youth at Pasadena City College.

Read more about our partnership with Pasadena City College, Heritage Housing Partners, Pasadena Community Foundation to offer dedicated affordable housing units paired with comprehensive support services for older foster youth:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeseq/2025/03/04/innovative-partnerships-a-game-changer-for-foster-youth-in-higher-education/

Foster youth deserve more than just access to education—they deserve the stability and support needed to succeed once they get there.

03/17/2025

Voting is now open for the 12th annual LA2050 Grants Challenge! Take 2 minutes today to vote to support foster and systems-impacted youth in Los Angeles!

Voting is open now until April 18th to all ages and available in 12+ languages. Use our unique link to vote today: https://la2050.org/vote?fyp25

03/14/2025

Join us on May 8th for a strolling dinner in support of First Place for Youth! 🎉

Enjoy a signature cocktail and a gourmet strolling dinner by Carrie Dove Catering, all while celebrating 27 years of transforming the lives of thousands of foster youth in the East Bay. The evening will feature an inspiring program and a special tribute to our longtime community partner, East Bay Heritage Quilters - EBHQ.

🔗 Become a sponsor or grab your tickets today to support foster youth across California and beyond: https://firstplaceforyouth.org/strolling-dinner/

03/13/2025

We are thrilled to share that First Place for Youth recently received an incredible $40,000 grant from the 100 Women Charitable Foundation! This generous funding was awarded at their Annual Dinner on March 7th, where attendees voted to support organizations making a difference in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.

We are so grateful for this support, which will help us continue empowering young people on their path to success. A huge thank you to James Dixon, SCC County Program Manager, for delivering an outstanding presentation that helped make this possible!

03/12/2025

Moments of joy and happiness at the recent Art + Practice Scholars Luncheon! Thank you to our partners at A+P for hosting this incredible annual event for our staff and youth to enjoy live music and create their own visions boards for a brighter future!

03/11/2025

At First Place for Youth, we’ve seen firsthand how private philanthropy transforms the lives of foster youth—providing stable housing, education, and career opportunities. While government funding is vital, support from individual donors and foundations ensures we can innovate and expand programs that help young people thrive. Investing in foster youth isn’t just life-changing—it strengthens communities and builds a brighter future for all.

📍Read more on Forbes EQ: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeseq/2025/03/04/investing-in-potential-how-private-support-empowers-foster-youth-and-strengthens-communities/

Investing in foster youth to realize their potential is an investment in our collective future.

03/06/2025

Thank you to SIRs Branch 116 for donating over 40 hygiene kits for young men at First Place for Youth! 🙌

SIR ("Sons in Retirement") is an incredible organization focused on keeping retired men active and engaged—and they’re making a real impact in our community. We truly appreciate their generosity and dedication to giving back, ensuring our youth have the essentials they need as they work toward an independent future. Thank you, SIRs!

03/05/2025

We want to give a huge thanks to The Beverly Hilton for their recent generous donation! Their thoughtful gift included many boxes of essential kits filled with hand towels, toiletries, laundry detergent, first aid supplies, and more—items that will directly support our youth on their journey to independence. Thank you for helping make a difference in the lives of older foster youth! 💙

03/04/2025

On February 27th, our San Francisco Independent Living Skills Program team hosted an incredible open house at our SF office! Their teamwork, passion for the youth and program, and community partner networking and relationships shined through. Shout out to our SF ILSP team for organizing this great event, and thank you to everyone who attended!

02/27/2025

AI has the power to transform social services, but only if applied with equity in mind. At First Place for Youth, we use AI-driven tools like our Youth Roadmap Tool to personalize support for foster youth, ensuring fair access to resources and better outcomes. By embracing AI thoughtfully and collaboratively, we can harness its power to drive stronger, more equitable outcomes for those we serve.

Read our full article on Forbes EQ: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeseq/2025/02/03/harnessing-ai-for-equity-a-nonprofit-perspective/

The nonprofit sector has a unique opportunity to shape the development of AI in ways that advance equity for social good.

02/25/2025

“I want to get into child development and childcare because I know what it’s like to be a foster care child and be in the system and not have anyone to talk to. Therapists and doctors only see what they can see, and if they haven’t gone through the foster care system, they can’t really relate. I can relate, and I want to be that adult that kids can trust.”

Meet Sophia, a driven and compassionate young leader dedicated to shaping a brighter future for herself and others. Now 19, Sophia is thriving in her first apartment and building a career in child development, inspired by her own experiences and her passion for supporting youth. With the skills and stability she’s gained through First Place for Youth, Sophia is focused on making a lasting impact—starting with her work at a recreation center and an internship as a youth coordinator for foster children.

Read Sophia's full story and more in our 2024 Annual Report: https://firstplaceforyouth.org/2024-annual-report/

02/21/2025

“First Place has been amazing. The staff and my Youth Advocate have all been incredible, offering support and kindness when I needed it most. It’s not just a roof over my head; it’s a place where I found stability and a sense of belonging."

Meet Yahel, a determined and passionate young leader, committed to making a difference in his community! Now 23 and a student at Los Medanos College, Yahel is pursuing a degree in social work, inspired by his experiences and the support he received through First Place for Youth. With a strong foundation of stability and opportunity, he is already creating impact through his work with the Contra Costa Council for Addressing Homelessness.

Read Yahel's full story in our 2024 Annual Report: https://firstplaceforyouth.org/2024-annual-report/

02/19/2025

At First Place for Youth, our trauma-informed approach helps foster youth heal, build resilience, and achieve stability in housing, education, and employment. By recognizing the impact of trauma and providing the right support, we’re not just changing individual lives—we’re breaking cycles and creating a stronger, more equitable future.

Read our full article on Forbes EQ: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeseq/2025/02/03/empowering-foster-youth-a-trauma-informed-approach-to-breaking-the-cycle/

Investing in programs that support foster youth, doesn't just impact individual lives; it helps to create a stronger, more resilient workforce and society for the future.

02/14/2025

"Success happens on their timeline, and we’re here for every step." 🌟

Through our partnership with The Relatives, made possible by funding from the Mecklenburg County Housing Innovation & Stabilization Services Division and Youth and Family Services, young adults are gaining the skills and support they need to build independent futures. Jane’s story is proof that with time, guidance, and opportunity, incredible things can happen. 💙

Read more about Jane's journey and this impactful collaboration: https://firstplaceforyouth.org/building-brighter-futures-our-partnership-with-the-relatives/

At First Place for Youth, we are proud to partner with The Relatives in Mecklenburg County, NC, an organization that […]

02/12/2025

“I’m so grateful that this program was in place because I’m able to attend college without any debt and I’m able to see the benefit of my situation.” - Keaira Smith, First Place participant

At our recent open house celebrating the expansion of our My First Place program, Mississippi Youth Voice members, Keaira and Kyla shared their incredible story, highlighting what this milestone means for transition-age youth in Hattiesburg and along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This new brick-and-mortar location will provide a supportive and empowering environment for 30 young people as they transition to independence.

A huge thank you to our partners and supporters who attended and share our belief that more is possible for older foster youth! If you’d like to stay involved, consider making a gift and learning more about our work by visiting our website: https://firstplaceforyouth.org/donate-support/



Thank you to our partners and supporters: Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services, the Harrison County Youth Court, the Marion County Youth Court, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation

02/11/2025

Last week, we celebrated the expansion of our My First Place™ program into Hattiesburg, MS and along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi! 🌟

As an organization dedicated to supporting foster youth in their transition to adulthood, this expansion will allow First Place to provide safe, stable housing and comprehensive wraparound support to 30 transition-age foster youth (ages 18-21) as they embark on their journey to independent living. This work is made possible through our strong partnership with the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (MDCPS) and the Jim Casey Youth Opportunity Initiative.

🔗 Hear from First Place for Youth CEO Thomas Lee, program participants, and more in WDAM 7 coverage of the event: https://www.wdam.com/2025/02/07/first-place-youth-program-provide-housing-employment-youth-aging-out-foster-care/