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.

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/

At 19, Mary is building a life that's finally her own. After navigating years of change in foster care, she found housin...
08/05/2026

At 19, Mary is building a life that's finally her own. After navigating years of change in foster care, she found housing and support through First Place for Youth in Mississippi. Now she's chasing her dream of becoming an entrepreneur, starting an apprenticeship while studying entrepreneurship.

"Be independent. It's scary, but it's a little less scary when you've got some support." Mary's story shows what's possible when young people are given the stability and encouragement they deserve.

The numbers don't lie: investing in foster youth pays off.First Place for Youth partnered with Baiyor-Handler Trust and ...
08/03/2026

The numbers don't lie: investing in foster youth pays off.

First Place for Youth partnered with Baiyor-Handler Trust and Social Finance on a cost-benefit analysis, and the results are powerful. Youth who complete our My First Place program earn an additional $150,000 over their lifetimes, are three times less likely to experience homelessness, and five times less likely to become incarcerated.

For every 100 program graduates, society saves nearly $6 million in prison costs alone, while tax revenues increase by about $200,000. Government investment is fully recouped within 15 years.

Investing in foster youth creates value that extends far beyond the individual.

At 23, Jahliyah is balancing a lot, raising her daughter, working, and completing pharmacy technician training through F...
07/31/2026

At 23, Jahliyah is balancing a lot, raising her daughter, working, and completing pharmacy technician training through First Place for Youth’s Earn and Learn Program with CVS.

After entering foster care in middle school and navigating years of instability, Jahliyah is now building a foundation rooted in stability, purpose, and hope.

“Having my own apartment feels like peace. It’s something I always wanted.” Stories like Jahliyah’s remind us what’s possible when young people have access to opportunity, support, and community.

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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

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