By Thomas Lee, First Place for Youth CEO

With the passing of Senator John Burton, we at First Place for Youth join countless others in honoring an extraordinary leader and mentor whose influence forever changed the lives of foster youth in California. John’s fierce advocacy and vision helped transform foster care from a system that too often left young people behind into a true springboard for opportunity. Through John Burton Advocates for Youth, he championed reforms and funding that opened doors to housing, higher education, and stability for tens of thousands of young people.

What made Burton’s approach so powerful was not just that he was politically savvy but his humanity. He met with former foster youth, listened to their stories, and understood—deeply—that systemic change was necessary. I met him in 2005 when I served at Hillsides in Pasadena. As we raised Youth Moving On, he provided the keynote speech at our open house to inaguarate the beginning of a program that still serves 100s of foster youth annually today. He was as comfortable fighting for legislation in the halls of Sacramento as he was sitting in a circle with youth advocates, hearing firsthand what they needed to thrive. And when he made a commitment, he followed through.

At First Place, we are committed to carrying forward the “John Burton Way”—bold, unapologetic, persistent, and hopeful—as we honor his extraordinary legacy.

Related Content