Building Resilience and Embracing Growth at Art + Practice’s March Roundtable Discussion

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This month, our incredible partners at Art + Practice (A+P) hosted an inspiring Roundtable Discussion exclusively for First Place for […]

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2024 Local Heroes Celebrates $2.5 Million in Pasadena Community Foundation Grant Awards

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The greater Pasadena community joined Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF) for an uplifting celebration on Thursday, November 14 — the 25th […]

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Celebrating Jose’s Journey with First Place for Youth

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At just 18 years old, Jose faced a challenging crossroads. After his teenage sister took custody of him, he grappled […]

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Foster care training program helps Oakland woman find her independence

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Ericka Ramirez Mendoza always dreamed about helping those in need. For her, being able to work as a full-time pharmacy […]

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How a former foster youth in LA County is taking advantage of a 2nd opportunity

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PASADENA, Calif. — After going through many hardships, Sky Celine is still persevering and trying to accomplish her dreams.

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Pasadena Star-News: Groundbreaking housing project for foster youth unveiled in East Pasadena

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Six young people transitioning out of foster care now have a place to call their own, thanks to a groundbreaking housing project unveiled at a ribbon cutting ceremony in East Pasadena on Wednesday, Aug. 7.

The initiative is the result of an unprecedented partnership between educational, nonprofit and governmental leaders in the region to tackle student homelessness, a growing problem in Los Angeles County, project leaders said.

It has successfully transformed two properties at 2322 E. Foothill Blvd. into six studio apartments for young adults aged 18-21.

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EdSource: Pasadena City College opens housing for transitional-age foster youth

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Pasadena City College will provide students who are transitioning out of foster care with studio housing units, LAist reported.

First Place for Youth CEO Thomas Lee told LAist that it can be difficult for foster youth to graduate due to insufficient housing, transportation and economic resources.

Among transitional youth, less than 10% of those who attended college completed a degree, a report found.

“As we call it in the world of child welfare, they always have the ‘cliff’ staring at them when all the services and supports kind of fall away, and they have to be able to do it on their own,” Lee told LAist.

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LAist: Pasadena City College opens first housing unit for foster youth

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Pasadena City College is opening its first housing unit near its campus for transitional-age foster youth.

The six studio units will be for PCC students who are aging out of foster care in an effort to support students toward graduation, said Thomas Lee, CEO of First Place for Youth, a youth services agency that’s partnering with the college.

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A Candid Conversation on Foster Care: Insights from First Place for Youth CEO Thomas Lee and Foster Youth 

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On June 5, 2024, First Place for Youth CEO Thomas Lee sat down with four remarkable young adults—Sky Celine (she/her), […]

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Congratulations to Our San Francisco ILSP Graduates!

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Our San Francisco Independent Living Skills Program (ILSP) hosted their annual graduation celebration on June 6th at the Hyatt Centric […]

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Celebrating Success this Graduation Season

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During this graduation season, we are so excited to celebrate all the educational milestones of the youth we serve!   At […]

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Thriving Against the Odds: Dulce’s Story

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From foster care to academic accolades, Dulce’s journey is nothing short of inspirational! Dulce made her way to First Place […]

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California Youth Voice Members Advocate for Change in Sacramento, CA!

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On April 17th, First Place for Youth hosted our second annual Advocacy Day at the California State Capitol. This significant […]

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The Power of Public-Private Partnership in Mississippi’s Child Welfare

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Written by Samantha Kalahar and Kimberly Smith This year marks Mississippi’s ninth year as a Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative […]

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March is ‘Stay Paid’ Month at First Place!

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March is ‘Stay Paid’ Month at First Place for Youth where we acknowledge all of our young people’s efforts in […]

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