Leadership at First Place for Youth

Samantha Kalahar

Mississippi Site Director

Joined First Place: 2020

Samantha oversees First Place for Youth’s collaboration with the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services and the Annie E. Casey Foundation/Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative to improve services for foster youth in the state.  She develops partnerships with community stakeholders and advances a policy agenda that creates opportunities for youth and removes legislative, regulatory, and systemic barriers that hinder them from achieving self-sufficiency and success. Samantha also leads our direct-service programs in the state, acting as advisor for Mississippi Youth Voice, a youth-driven advocacy initiative, and managing Opportunity Passport™, a financial capacity building and matched-savings program.

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