2024 Annual Report

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In 2024, First Place for Youth and our network partners in Massachusetts, New York, Mississippi, and Cincinnati served 1,496 young […]

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2024 Local Heroes Celebrates $2.5 Million in Pasadena Community Foundation Grant Awards

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The greater Pasadena community joined Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF) for an uplifting celebration on Thursday, November 14 — the 25th […]

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Celebrating Jose’s Journey with First Place for Youth

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At just 18 years old, Jose faced a challenging crossroads. After his teenage sister took custody of him, he grappled […]

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Expanding Housing Navigation Support for Foster Youth 

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At First Place for Youth, we’re committed to ensuring that young people transitioning out of foster care have the support […]

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Foster care training program helps Oakland woman find her independence

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Ericka Ramirez Mendoza always dreamed about helping those in need. For her, being able to work as a full-time pharmacy […]

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Insights from San Francisco’s Mayoral Forum on Transition-Age Foster Youth

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As the CEO of First Place for Youth, I’m thrilled to share my thoughts and impressions on the recent mayoral […]

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Bread & Roses: A Rallying Cry for Social Justice

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By First Place for Youth CEO, Thomas G. Lee I recently had the chance to revisit the iconic poem Bread […]

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Celebrating History and Opportunity: A+P Roundtable at Universal College of Beauty

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This month, our team and youth attended the A+P Roundtable at the Universal College of Beauty, where they had the […]

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First Place for Youth Expands My First Place™ Program to Mississippi 

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We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our nationally recognized My First Place™ program to Hattiesburg and the Mississippi […]

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How a former foster youth in LA County is taking advantage of a 2nd opportunity

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PASADENA, Calif. — After going through many hardships, Sky Celine is still persevering and trying to accomplish her dreams.

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Press Release: Transition-Age Foster Youth in Mississippi to Benefit from Innovative New Housing Program

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JACKSON, MS (September 5, 2024) — First Place for Youth, the nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting foster […]

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Celebrating a Summer of Growth and Connection: First Place for Youth’s Summer Bridge Program

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This summer has been filled with excitement, learning, and community building, all thanks to our dedicated teams and supporters! As […]

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First Place for Youth Strategic Plan Highlights, Fiscal Years 2025-2029

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At First Place for Youth, we believe every foster youth should reach their full potential and lead fulfilling lives. We […]

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Pasadena Star-News: Groundbreaking housing project for foster youth unveiled in East Pasadena

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Six young people transitioning out of foster care now have a place to call their own, thanks to a groundbreaking housing project unveiled at a ribbon cutting ceremony in East Pasadena on Wednesday, Aug. 7.

The initiative is the result of an unprecedented partnership between educational, nonprofit and governmental leaders in the region to tackle student homelessness, a growing problem in Los Angeles County, project leaders said.

It has successfully transformed two properties at 2322 E. Foothill Blvd. into six studio apartments for young adults aged 18-21.

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EdSource: Pasadena City College opens housing for transitional-age foster youth

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Pasadena City College will provide students who are transitioning out of foster care with studio housing units, LAist reported.

First Place for Youth CEO Thomas Lee told LAist that it can be difficult for foster youth to graduate due to insufficient housing, transportation and economic resources.

Among transitional youth, less than 10% of those who attended college completed a degree, a report found.

“As we call it in the world of child welfare, they always have the ‘cliff’ staring at them when all the services and supports kind of fall away, and they have to be able to do it on their own,” Lee told LAist.

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LAist: Pasadena City College opens first housing unit for foster youth

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Pasadena City College is opening its first housing unit near its campus for transitional-age foster youth.

The six studio units will be for PCC students who are aging out of foster care in an effort to support students toward graduation, said Thomas Lee, CEO of First Place for Youth, a youth services agency that’s partnering with the college.

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A Candid Conversation on Foster Care: Insights from First Place for Youth CEO Thomas Lee and Foster Youth 

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On June 5, 2024, First Place for Youth CEO Thomas Lee sat down with four remarkable young adults—Sky Celine (she/her), […]

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New Connections & Opportunities Were Made at the Art + Practice Job & Resource Fair!

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On Thursday, July 18, First Place for Youth partnered with Art + Practice to host a fantastic Job & Resource […]

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Press Release: First Place for Youth, Heritage Housing Partners, and Pasadena City College Announce Innovative Housing Partnership for Transitional Age Youth

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 16, 2024 MEDIA CONTACT:First Place for YouthJulie Richter | julie@julierichter.co480.818.8022 LOS ANGELES, CA (July 16, 2024) – […]

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Summer Bridge Kickoff at Lake Chabot

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First Place for Youth’s Alameda County/ San Francisco County team hosted their first official Summer Bridge event on a beautiful […]

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Congratulations to Our San Francisco ILSP Graduates!

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Our San Francisco Independent Living Skills Program (ILSP) hosted their annual graduation celebration on June 6th at the Hyatt Centric […]

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Celebrating Success this Graduation Season

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During this graduation season, we are so excited to celebrate all the educational milestones of the youth we serve!   At […]

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Thriving Against the Odds: Dulce’s Story

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From foster care to academic accolades, Dulce’s journey is nothing short of inspirational! Dulce made her way to First Place […]

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Press Release: First Place for Youth Raises More Than $600k for Transition Age Foster Youth at A Celebration of Heart and Home

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT: Julie Richter | julie@julierichter.co Held during National Foster Care Month, the event celebrated local leaders […]

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