Spring Forward For First Place for Youth!

Join First Place for Youth for an evening of celebration!

Town Fare at the Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak St., Oakland, CA 94607

Thursday, May 14th, 2026 from 6-9pm

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

Looking for Services?
Visit our Youth Services Page or fill out an interest form.

We drive improvements to the foster system so young people can succeed

  • Youth-focused programs and services
  • Data-driven research and education
  • Policy change and advocacy work
  • Committed network of partner organizations

More successful outcomes for foster youth

Programs & Services

Measuring Our Impact

1496

youth were served and supported by First Place for Youth in 2024

90%

of young people we work with
identify as Black, Indigenous, and people of color

98%

of participants in My First Place
are in school or working

97%

of My First Place participants attain stable housing when they exit the program

PROGRAMS & SERVICES

The My First PlaceTM Program

My First Place is a nationally recognized education and employment program that provides housing and case management for transition-age foster youth aged 18 to 25.

Participants are supported by a Youth Advocate, Education and Employment Specialist, and Housing Specialist. Access to post-secondary education coaching, apprenticeships and individualized supports help make sense of work and school. By helping foster youth enter adulthood with jobs that earn a living wage, this program fosters a sense of permanency and builds skills to be self-sufficient in the long term.

What’s Happening At First Place for Youth

Blog

Prevention, Not Just Rescue: Why America’s Older Foster Youth Need Unconditional Support 

By Thomas Lee, CEO, First Place for Youth January was National Human Trafficking Prevention Month—a time to reflect not only on […]

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Blog

Teaching for Systems Change: Why Our Work Now Includes the Classroom 

This spring, First Place for Youth CEO Thomas Lee is serving as a Mimi and Peter E. Haas Distinguished Visitor at Stanford University’s […]

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Blog

Transforming Washington’s Support to Transition-Age Foster Youth: A Roadmap for Success 

“I believe the future can be different. Stability and opportunities to grow for kids in foster care, having a strong […]

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Blog

18 Months of My First Place™ in New Jersey 

In July 2023, New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families, Catholic Charities Diocese of Metuchen, and Volunteers of America launched […]

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