In the Media

Foster care training program helps Oakland woman find her independence

Ericka Ramirez Mendoza always dreamed about helping those in need.

For her, being able to work as a full-time pharmacy tech at a CVS in Oakland is a dream come true.

“It would have been so incredible for me to know that I’m here where I am at now. I never imagined to be here to be honest,” Ramirez Mendoza told CBS News Bay Area.

Ramirez Mendoza said she joined First Place for Youth, an Oakland-based foster care system, when she was 14-years-old.

She recently turned 25, and left foster care in May. Through the system, she was able to take part in a free five-week pharmacy tech pre-employment program for underserved youth.

“The purpose of the program is to bring this type of industry knowledge to transitional youth so it targets everything from general job readiness all the way to drop off or triage,” said Marques Hancock, workforce initiative manager for CVS Health.

It’s a collaboration between CVS Health and First Place for Youth to help foster children transition into adulthood.

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 […]

Read More

In the Media

Share the Spirit: For children exiting foster care, this local organization offers a critical lifeline

The support Stevie receives from First Place for Youth means the difference between homelessness and hope. Today, Stevie is thriving […]

Read More

Blog

Evidence Our Program Works  

We couldn’t be more excited to share some incredible news, marking a huge milestone in First Place’s 28-year journey: an […]

Read More
To top