Our heartfelt gratitude and best wishes to Amy Lemley, First Place for Youth's co-founder, as she steps down from her role as Executive Director at John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) on October 1. While still a graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, Amy co-founded First Place for Youth—the first housing program for former foster youth in California. At JBAY, Amy continued to champion for system-impacted youth, leading groundbreaking policy actions such as establishing the nation’s first tax credit for foster youth and extending foster care from age 18 to 21. Her visionary leadership and relentless advocacy have transformed the lives of countless young people. Thank you, Amy, for your unwavering commitment to making more possible for foster youth! 💙 Read Amy's interview with EdSource here: https://lnkd.in/dKquqEmT #fosteryouth #fostercare #advocacy #JBAY
First Place for Youth
Individual and Family Services
Oakland, CA 3,141 followers
Building a foundation for life after foster care
About us
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.
- Website
-
http://www.firstplaceforyouth.org
External link for First Place for Youth
- Industry
- Individual and Family Services
- Company size
- 51-200 employees
- Headquarters
- Oakland, CA
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 1998
- Specialties
- Education & Employment Counseling, Case Management, Housing, Life Skills Training, and Youth Empowerment
Locations
Employees at First Place for Youth
Updates
-
Last month, First Place for Youth CEO, Thomas Lee, sat down with four incredible young adults—Sky Celine, NyAisha, Myh'Keith, and Tai—to discuss their experiences in foster care and how My First Place™ has impacted their lives. This candid conversation provides a raw and insightful look into the challenges and triumphs foster youth face. Take a look at behind-the-scenes moments as Thomas prepares to interview these incredible individuals. Stay tuned for the video's full release this week! 🌟 #FosterYouth #YouthVoices #Inspiration #BehindTheScenes
-
At First Place for Youth, we're dedicated to ensuring our scholars have everything they need to succeed as they head back to school. This year, we're looking for stationery, portable chargers, planners, and more to help them shine. Want to make a difference? You can easily support by ordering from our Amazon Wishlists by Wednesday, July 24. Let's help these amazing young adults start their school year with confidence and readiness! 🔸 NorCal Wishlist: https://lnkd.in/gm5TAtmA 🔹 SoCal Wishlist: https://lnkd.in/gKG2h86k #BackToSchool #SupportYouth #FirstPlaceForYouth
-
-
We're #hiring a new County Program Manager in Oakland, California. Apply today or share this post with your network.
-
This past weekend, our Los Angeles County team hosted a forklift certification event at A Community of Friends (ACOF) with 9 amazing youth participants. We are thrilled to announce that 8 of them earned their certification! A huge thank you to all the staff who supported and encouraged these young people to complete the full certification. This is a significant step towards gaining valuable job skills and opportunities! #FirstPlaceForYouth #ACOF #YouthEmpowerment #JobReady
-
-
Our Alameda/San Francisco youth had a great time kicking off our first official Summer Bridge event at Lake Chabot Regional Park! Armed with facts and tidbits about the wonders of the majestic Redwood tree, youth were encouraged to embrace nature by using sustainably sourced natural materials from the area for use in their art projects, and by offering thoughtful and meaningful insights and inquiries of nature during the hike. Through fellowship and support, participants networked and collaborated, created, built, and shared experiences with each other in a unique outdoor setting! 🌱 Read more about the event on our blog: https://lnkd.in/g6VZa2XW Stay tuned for more exciting summer events! #fosteryouth #fostercare #summerhikes #summertime #oakland
Summer Bridge Kickoff at Lake Chabot - First Place For Youth
https://firstplaceforyouth.org
-
First Place for Youth reposted this
When children age out of the foster care system, they are often left on their own with no adult guidance, financial backstop, or social support of any kind. Through their “My First Place” model, First Place for Youth, a DRK Foundation portfolio organization, combines robust housing support with case management, education, and employment counseling to empower youth with the skills needed for a successful transition into self-sufficiency and responsible adulthood. And the data is promising: After exiting the program in 2023, 92% of My First Place participants achieved stable housing, 86% obtained employment, and 85% progressed in education. First Place for Youth is beginning to scale their successful model throughout the country and recently launched in New Jersey with the goal of expanding the program statewide. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gBXj8TMJ
NJ must support at-risk youth as they begin to transition into adulthood
northjersey.com
-
First Place for Youth reposted this
Read this wonderful Op-Ed on First Place for Youth's expansion to New Jersey! Paula Turso wrote, "This is why New Jersey, as well as advocates for children everywhere, should be proud of My First Place, a new program that is filling a gap in the traditional foster care system by supporting young adults with challenging childhoods as they transition out of foster care, helping them grow into stable, thriving adults." First Place for Youth was recently launched in New Jersey with the help of Department of Children and Families and is being implemented in Union County by Volunteers of America–Greater New York, and in Middlesex and Somerset counties by Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen.
NJ must support at-risk youth as they begin to transition into adulthood
northjersey.com
-
As we wrap up our Graduation Season Spotlights, we're thrilled to celebrate Aaron, an inspiring young man who has graduated from the University of San Francisco with a BA in Communication Studies and a minor in African American Studies! 🎉 Aaron has been with our program since 2021, serving as a youth ambassador, speaking at our 25th anniversary, and interning at our Oakland HQ. His dedication to his education and community is truly remarkable. Aaron says, "I want to continue to work in the non-profit industry and I’m interested in starting my own non-profit someday... I want to change the stereotypes associated with young, Black men." Thank you for joining us in celebrating the incredible achievements of our youth. There were many more young people with equally inspiring accomplishments, and we are so proud of every one of them! If you haven't already, please consider making a donation to help us continue providing impactful community-building events and celebrating these important milestones: bit.ly/fpfygrad 🌟🎉 #GraduationSeason #ProudMoment #FosterYouthSuccess #CommunitySupport
-
-
First Place for Youth reposted this
I transform the way people think through strategic thought partnership, curating inspiring human-centered experiences, and educational storytelling. Let's work! 🌟
It was an honor to bring the keynote address at the Independent Living Skills Program (ILSP) graduation this month in San Francisco. Like these students, I graduated while in foster care and attended the same ILSP and emancipated from the same county. Standing before them 15 years to the date of my own high school graduation was truly a full circle moment. I shared key steps that helped me achieve self-sufficiency: 1. Get a Mentor: Mentors guide and support you, helping navigate challenges and build confidence. 2. Build a Strong Network: Relationships are invaluable. Surround yourself with positive influences and build meaningful connections. 3. Protect Your Peace: Prioritize mental health. Set boundaries, seek community, and practice self-care. …And a few more nuggets. ☺️ First Place for Youth is doing incredible work with this population of young adults. Thank you for the invitation.
-