First Place for Youth was founded in 1998 to prevent poverty and homelessness among youth who age out of foster care. The mission of First Place is to help foster youth build the skills they need to make a successful transition to self-sufficiency and responsible adulthood. First Place was the first organization dedicated exclusively to providing housing for transitioning foster youth in Northern California and has grown into the state’s largest provider for this vulnerable population. First Place utilizes a scattered-site housing program model, which puts youth in a realistic, independent setting in their local communities.
External link for First Place for Youth
First Place for Youth reposted this
I am excited to announce that First Place is expanding the My First Place program to Mississippi in partnership with the MS Department of Child Protection Services. This marks the launch of our first national wholly-owned site outside California. Learn more about this exciting development here: https://lnkd.in/gdh4Daqk
Big News! First Place for Youth is expanding our nationally-recognized My First Place™ program to Hattiesburg and the Mississippi Gulf Coast! 🎉 This expansion will provide safe, stable housing and wraparound support for 30 transition-age foster youth, empowering them as they step into independent adulthood. We are proud to partner with the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services and the JIM CASEY YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES INITIATIVE INC to empower foster youth across the state. Together, we're making strides in ensuring every young person has the opportunity to succeed. 🏡✨ Read the full update on our website: https://lnkd.in/gMBjVY3g Annie E. Casey Foundation #FosterYouth #MyFirstPlace #MississippiExpansion #FirstPlaceForYouth
First Place for Youth reposted this
"I didn't think I'd make it past 16. So to be here, it's amazing." - Sky Celine, former foster youth We're proud to spotlight the transformative impact of our client, First Place for Youth, recently featured in a Spectrum News article. The stark reality: - LA County has the nation's largest foster youth population - 50% of 1,100 young adults aging out of foster care face homelessness - First Place for Youth is changing this narrative Through its partnership with Pasadena City College, First Place for Youth offers more than just housing—it provides a foundation for education, stability, and future success to those aging out of the foster system. As CEO Thomas G. Lee emphasizes, community involvement is key: "You can contribute to supporting and helping young people navigate the world that we have as we know it." For the full interview, visit: https://lnkd.in/gYhQ--mE #FosterYouthAdvocacy #CommunityImpact #SocialResponsibility
At First Place for Youth, we believe every foster youth should reach their full potential and lead fulfilling lives. Over the next 5 years, we’re on a mission to double our impact by expanding our services to 14 states and supporting 1,650 transition-age foster youth annually. Our strategic plan for 2030 focuses on leveraging partnerships, expanding to high-need areas, and enhancing our advocacy efforts. Read the full details of our vision and strategies by on our website: https://lnkd.in/gAfgiiAX
Our Los Angeles youth had an incredible experience at AETV headquarters recently! During the two-hour session, youth engaged with representatives from Production, Finance, Post & Business Affairs/Legal, exploring the diverse career pathways within television and the entertainment industry. The A&E team was generous with their time, and we wrapped up our visit with a lively Q&A session led by Richard Rothstein, VP of Creative Affairs. A big thank you to everyone who organized this event and the staff who supported getting our young people to Beverly Hills during rush hour! #youthservices #AETV #careers #tvcareers #media #fosteryouth
First Place for Youth reposted this
How can the #nonprofit and #philanthropy sectors leverage #GenAI for greater impact? Tipping Point Capacity Building Director, Nick Arevalo, joined a panel discussion to share how philanthropy can help nonprofits harness generative AI to advance their missions. We were thrilled to also hear from grantees First Place for Youth and Larkin Street Youth Services who discussed how, with partnership from Tipping Point, they have adapted their program to use GenAI in their case management work to better serve their clients. Picture 1 (left to right): Matt Levy, VP of Evaluation and Learning at First Place for Youth; Nick Arevalo; Ilsa Lund, Chief of Strategy at Larkin Street Youth Services. Picture 2: Raffi Krikorian, Chief Technology Officer of Engineering at Emerson Collective; Kevin Barenblat, Co-Founder of Fast Forward; Lili Gangas, Chief Technology Community Officer at Kapor Center; Nick Arevalo; Elizabeth Kneebone, AVP of Community Development Research at Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
Do you have a Donor Advised Fund (DAF)? If so, we’re excited to share about this exciting initiative through #HalfMyDAF! If you make a gift to First Place for Youth and commit to spending down half the money in your DAF by September 27, we will be eligible to receive up to $25,000 in matching funds. Find out more about the #HalfMyDAF campaign: https://lnkd.in/gKnG6fNw
"The praise I receive is a reflection of the mentors and experiences that shaped me." - Myh'Keith, My First Place participant. In our latest film, Myh'Keith shares how Art + Practice and the incredible people at First Place for Youth have helped him grow and succeed. Watch the full video on our YouTube channel now: https://lnkd.in/g-Hzrn_2 #FirstPlaceForYouth #ArtAndPractice #Mentorship #YouthEmpowerment #LAStories
We're so proud of First Place for Youth participants Andrea and Marelyn who recently completed an 8-week paid internship with the Leadership Arts Mentoring Program (LAMP)! During their internship, Andrea and Marelyn worked on creative projects, participated in workshops, and gained practical experience in the arts industry. Last Thursday, at their showcase at The Grand, Marelyn inspired an audience of over 150 people as a student speaker, while Andrea wowed everyone with her music performance! Congratulations and well done, Andrea and Marelyn! 🌟🎨🎶 #YouthLeadership #LAMPInternship #Arts #FirstPlaceForYouth
Our Summer Bridge adventures with Santa Clara County youth continue with an inspiring Redwood excursion on the University of California, Santa Cruz campus!🌲 Youth trekked through the beautiful natural spaces, learned about the rich history of the area, and got a glimpse of college life and opportunities. It was an unforgettable experience that combined the beauty of the outdoors with the excitement of exploring new possibilities. Kudos to our dedicated team for making these impactful experiences possible for our youth! Stay tuned for more Summer Bridge recaps! #FirstPlaceforYouth #FosterCare #FosterYouth #CollegeLife #OutdoorAdventures