First Star

First Star First Star improves the lives of foster youth by partnering with child welfare agencies/universities There are over 400,000 foster youth in the United States.

Once removed from their parents’ care because of abuse or neglect, our society assumes legal responsibility to ensure that all foster youth have the supports needed to successfully transition to adulthood. Unfortunately, these youth experience an average of 8 home and school changes while in foster care. Only half graduate high school and less than three percent earn a college degree. Nationally,

thousands of youth age out of foster care each year unprepared for independence. Instead, within two years of aging out of foster care, more than half are homeless, incarcerated, or on welfare. First Star partners with universities and child welfare agencies throughout the country to make a long-term investment in foster youth and change the course of their lives, from abuse and neglect to academic achievement and self-sufficiency. The Academies are the country’s only long-term programs for high school foster youth that include both four immersive residential summers on a university campus, and monthly sessions during each school year. During the residential sessions, the youth are not only supported by highly qualified professionals, but also by peer mentors who are former foster youth attending the host university. Throughout all four years, Academy staff provides holistic, long-term education case management to the youth and their families to sustain the progress youth make during the university-immersion sessions.

As Foster Care Awareness Month comes to a close, there is still time to help youth and young adults who have experienced...
05/29/2026

As Foster Care Awareness Month comes to a close, there is still time to help youth and young adults who have experienced foster care stay connected to opportunity this summer.

Your support helps provide:
⭐ Summer Academies
⭐ Mentorship and academic support
⭐ College and career opportunities
⭐ Stable community and connection

Transportation support matters.

For many caregivers and young people, a tank of gas can make the difference between getting to campus, work, mentorship, or critical support services — or missing out entirely.

Our Board of D is still matching every gift to the First Star Gas Card Fund.

$50 = one week of transportation support
$200 = one month of support
$1,000 = transportation support for an Academy cohort

Give today. Invest in what works: https://loom.ly/IC8wB7k

After Best Summer Ever, one need surfaced again and again: transportation support.For many youth and young adults who ha...
05/28/2026

After Best Summer Ever, one need surfaced again and again: transportation support.

For many youth and young adults who have experienced foster care, getting to campus means staying connected to mentorship, opportunity, education, and community.

That is why every gift to the First Star Gas Card Fund is now being matched dollar-for-dollar up to $15,000 by our Board of Directors through June 24.

Your support helps caregivers continue getting teens to:
⭐ Summer Academies
⭐ Mentorship and academic support
⭐ College and career opportunities
⭐ Stable community and connection

$50 helps cover transportation costs for one week.
$200 helps keep a young person connected for a full month.
$1,000 ensures an entire Academy cohort makes it to the first day of Summer programming.

Every gift now goes twice as far: https://loom.ly/IC8wB7k

We did it!Best Summer Ever brought together more than 100 participants from across Los Angeles County, including approxi...
05/21/2026

We did it!

Best Summer Ever brought together more than 100 participants from across Los Angeles County, including approximately 75 youth and young adults who have experienced foster care.

Hosted at the Collins & Katz Family YMCA, the day was filled with connection, opportunity, and community.

Young people connected with mentors, explored career pathways, and accessed resources designed to help them move forward with confidence.

“This experience reminded me that I am not alone.”

Thank you to our sponsors, partners, volunteers, and supporters who helped make this day possible.

One message came through clearly all day: transportation support matters.

A tank of gas can help a young person get to work, attend class, and stay connected to opportunity.

Help fuel the Gas Card Fund today: https://loom.ly/IC8wB7k

Yesterday, we asked for help covering transportation costs so First Star teens can continue getting to campus this sprin...
05/15/2026

Yesterday, we asked for help covering transportation costs so First Star teens can continue getting to campus this spring and summer.

Our very first donor was a First Star alum ❤️

They shared:
“I’ve personally benefited from transportation assistance through First Star, which allowed me to attend events and stay engaged in programs that helped shape my future.

As a First Star alum, this message really resonates with me. Transportation support may seem small, but it plays a huge role in keeping foster youth connected to opportunities, community, and support systems.”

This Foster Care Awareness Month, your support helps young people who have experienced foster care stay connected to education, mentorship, and opportunity.

Every gift is matched up to $15,000 through June 24.

Help Get Teens To Campus: https://loom.ly/IC8wB7k

A Full Tank, Doubled.Some First Star caregivers are being forced to make difficult decisions about transportation to Spr...
05/15/2026

A Full Tank, Doubled.

Some First Star caregivers are being forced to make difficult decisions about transportation to Spring and Summer Academy programming because of rising gas costs.

For youth and young adults who have experienced foster care, getting to campus means more than transportation. It means connection, opportunity, support, and community.

A First Star board member is matching every gift up to $15,000 through June 24.
• $50 helps cover transportation for caregivers traveling to Academy programming.
• $200 helps keep scholars and alumni connected to support and opportunity.
• $1,000 helps an entire Academy get to the first day of Summer Academy.

Help make sure transportation challenges do not stand in the way of what comes next.

We are proud that more than 96% of First Star scholars graduate high school every year.

Help Get Teens to Campus – Donate Today: https://loom.ly/IC8wB7k

We’re days away.This is where support turns into opportunity.On May 16, young people will connect directly to jobs, inte...
05/13/2026

We’re days away.

This is where support turns into opportunity.

On May 16, young people will connect directly to jobs, internships, and real support.

Your support makes that possible.

Invest in what works: https://loom.ly/is6sb34

Summer isn’t easy for everyone.For many youth and young adults who have experienced foster care, it’s when support disap...
05/05/2026

Summer isn’t easy for everyone.

For many youth and young adults who have experienced foster care, it’s when support disappears.

On May 16, we’re changing that.

Through Best Summer Ever, young people will connect to jobs, internships, mental health support, and real next steps.

Your support makes that possible.

Invest in what works: https://loom.ly/is6sb34

“They gave me a place where I felt supported and seen.”That’s what First Star is about.On May 16, we’re expanding that s...
05/01/2026

“They gave me a place where I felt supported and seen.”

That’s what First Star is about.

On May 16, we’re expanding that support.

Through Best Summer Ever, in partnership with the Collins & Katz Family YMCA, young people will connect directly to jobs, internships, and real opportunities.

This is what your support makes possible.

Invest in what WORKS: https://loom.ly/is6sb34

“They gave me a place where I felt supported and seen.”That’s what First Star is about.On May 16, we’re expanding that s...
04/28/2026

“They gave me a place where I felt supported and seen.”

That’s what First Star is about.

On May 16, we’re expanding that support.

Through Best Summer Ever, in partnership with the Collins & Katz Family YMCA, young people will connect directly to jobs, internships, and real opportunities.

This is what your support makes possible.

Invest in what works: https://loom.ly/is6sb34

🌟 The March 2026 issue of the First Star RISING Newsletter is here! 🌟See how First Star is helping youth and young adult...
03/13/2026

🌟 The March 2026 issue of the First Star RISING Newsletter is here! 🌟

See how First Star is helping youth and young adults who have experienced foster care build brighter futures. From inspiring alumni stories to program updates and upcoming events, there is a lot to explore.

Take a moment to read, get inspired, and stay connected to the First Star community.

🔗 Tap the link to read the full newsletter: https://loom.ly/0LH1XHY

Address

2049 Century Park East
Los Angeles, CA
90067

Telephone

+13108825810

Website

Alerts

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

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category