Join our diverse, mission-driven team working in five San Francisco Bay Area counties, Los Angeles, and Jackson, Mississippi to put success within reach for transition-age foster youth.
We’re building a more just and equitable world
First Place is moving the needle on what life after foster care looks like in California and nationwide! Our staff show up every day ready to make a difference in the lives of young people who’ve grown up in foster care. We believe in the limitless potential of all people, and we’re working to remove the individual and systemic barriers that stand between foster youth and their dreams.
We’re changing the odds
Since 1998, First Place has guided the development of California’s extended foster care programs to deliver housing and comprehensive services for transition-age foster youth in the state of California. We’re giving young people the tools, support, and opportunities they need to take control of their own lives and create the futures they want. We’ve built a 24-year record of success, measured not just by the number of youth who walk through our doors, but by the outcomes they achieve. We use the evidence from our direct services to advocate for better programs and services for older foster youth in California and across the country.
We’re creating solutions that work
Our innovative approach blends cutting-edge data science, individualized, youth-driven supports, and strategic partnerships with providers, stakeholders, and policymakers to drive lasting change at all levels. Our programs empower young people to set their sights high and forge paths to long-term self-sufficiency. Through advocacy, we advance meaningful policies and reforms to ensure foster care systems are truly meeting the unique needs of transition-age foster youth.
“Working at First Place has been a pivotal change for me. It has encouraged me to know more, do more and become more than what I knew. I value being part of a team that is changing the concept of what independence looks like, what hope feels like and how life can be after emancipation.”
– Carmen Gomez, Youth Development Specialist
First Place’s Strategic Pillars
Continue to demonstrate programmatic success in facilitating youth attainment of self-sufficiency
Increase financial sustainability by closing gaps in publicly funded programs and exploring strategic partnerships for innovation and expansion
Increase organizational focus on expanding influence and advocacy for system change in California and nationwide
Advance principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, transforming First Place for Youth to a further equitable, anti-racist institution
Providing comprehensive support to young people as they build the skills for healthy, independent lives as adults.
Guiding young people in pursuit of education and career pathways that lead to long-term living-wage employment.
Working with property owners and First Place support teams to ensure participants have safe housing that meets their needs.
Measuring the impacts and outcomes of First Place programs to ensure the effectiveness of programs and support ongoing improvements.
Advancing First Place’s mission and vision through legislative advocacy and strategic collaboration with provider and stakeholder partners.
Expanding the national reach of First Place programs and supporting our network of provider partners in delivering high-quality services.
Building awareness and strengthening relationships with supporters to ensure sustainable funding for our work.
Ensuring the smooth financial operations of the organization across all programs and offices.
Shepherding and monitoring First Place’s partnerships and government contracts.
Enabling organizational success through recruitment, retention, and administrative management.
Shaping and advancing the long-term vision of First Place’s programs and advocacy.
First Place for Youth is a premier organization, and we want our talent to feel excited, appreciated, and valued at work. We are committed to recognizing and rewarding individual and group performance by providing equitable and competitive compensation. In addition, First Place offers a generous benefits package to help our employees maintain a healthy life-work balance.
15 days of vacation time in your first year12 days of sick time2 flexible holidays13 paid holidaysPaid sabbatical
Employee’s choice of Kaiser or UCH HMO/PPOUp to 90% of premium covered by First PlaceDelta Dental Premium PPOVSP VisionPre-tax Flexible Spending Account and commuter benefits
First Place supports employee learning and advancement through ongoing, embedded training and annual professional development allowances.
Employees are automatically enrolled into our Fidelity 401K retirement savings plan, which includes a partial employer match of contributions.