We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our nationally recognized My First Place™ program to Hattiesburg and the Mississippi Gulf Coast! As an organization dedicated to supporting foster youth in their transition to adulthood, this expansion allows us to provide safe, stable housing and comprehensive wraparound support to 30 transition-age foster youth (ages 18-21) as they embark on their journey to independent living. 

Building on Our Commitment to Mississippi 

For over six years, we have been actively working in Mississippi, where we have provided financial literacy training and amplified the voices of foster youth. Our efforts have led to significant policy advancements that remove barriers and create opportunities for these young individuals to thrive as they transition to adulthood. 

Our CEO, Thomas Lee, shares our excitement: “We are thrilled to bring our My First Place program to Mississippi, where we have already made significant policy advancements to remove barriers to self-sufficiency for foster youth. This new brick-and-mortar location will provide a supportive and empowering environment for young people as they transition to independence.” 

A Holistic Approach to Empowerment 

Through the My First Place program, participants will benefit from: 

• Individual Housing: Each youth will have their own home, fostering a sense of community. 

• Skill Development: We will support them in developing essential life skills for healthy living. 

• Education and Employment Support: Our dedicated staff will help them identify educational objectives and provide opportunities for jobs and apprenticeships that lead to living wages and high-growth careers. 

Strong Partnerships for Greater Impact 

This expansion is made possible through our strong partnership with the Mississippi Department of Child Protective Services (MDCPS) and the Jim Casey Youth Opportunity Initiative. Andrea Sanders, Commissioner of MDCPS, emphasizes the importance of our collaboration: “Programs like My First Place allow our youth to step into adulthood in a safe, supported environment and build skills that strengthen their potential. We are excited to partner with First Place to serve youth in south Mississippi.” 

Our Proven Track Record 

Since our founding in 1998, we have supported over 11,000 transition-age foster youth across six states. In Mississippi, our initiatives have led to impactful policy changes, including: 

• Kinkade FAITH Scholarship: This scholarship allows all Mississippi foster youth who were in MDCPS custody to access state-administered job training programs, community college, or four-year institutions with a full cost-of-attendance scholarship. 

• Legislative Advocacy: We successfully advocated for laws enabling those aged 18 and older to sign leases, receive property as inheritance, own homes, and secure utility services, thereby increasing access to safe and stable housing. 

• Foster Care Continuum Development: We envisioned and designed a comprehensive state plan for transition-age youth, submitted to the federal Children’s Bureau for approval and Title IV-E funding. 

• Tax Credits for Housing: We established tax credits for developers and management companies renting to youth aged 18-24, in partnership with Mississippi Home Corp. 

• Fiscal Analysis: We conducted an objective fiscal analysis of the costs of offering a robust and comprehensive extended foster care program to all eligible Mississippi youth. 

Catherine Lester, Associate Director with the Annie E. Casey Foundation, highlights the significance of our work: “Creating policies and practices in partnership with young people, system leaders, and community is the driving force behind the Jim Casey Youth Opportunity Initiative. We know that young people who have spent time in foster care need relationships, resources, and opportunities to thrive.” 

Looking Forward 

We look forward to welcoming foster youth into their new homes by November 2024, marking a new chapter in our commitment to supporting Mississippi’s transition-age foster youth. As we expand our services, we remain dedicated to empowering these young individuals to build the skills necessary for long-term success. 

This expansion of the My First Place™ program is not just a milestone for our organization; it represents a significant step forward in providing crucial support to Mississippi’s foster youth as they transition to adulthood. Together, we are creating hope and opportunity for a brighter future! 

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