Become a Partner

Partner

First Place for Youth

Organization Function: Ed Support Org - Out of School Time
Fellows Placed In: Bay Area, CA

About First Place for Youth

Founded in 1998, First Place for Youth was the first organization in Northern California to provide affordable housing and supportive services to former foster youth, and today is considered a national model for providing permanent housing for high risk youth. The agency works to ensure that all foster youth throughout the state of California have the opportunity to experience a safe, supported transition from foster care. Through a housing program, an employment and academic enrichment program, counseling, youth community center, collaboration with other community agencies, and community education, First Place helps youth to gain the skills they need to live independently and succeed on their own.

Mission

The mission of First Place is to help foster youth develop the skills to build a foundation for making a successful transition to self-sufficiency and responsible adulthood.

Impact

63 percent of First Foundation youth exited foster care with their high school diploma or equivalent (as compared to 46 percent nationally.) In addition, 52 percent of My First Place participants enrolled in post secondary education (as compared to 5 percent nationally).

Alumni working for this organization

Madeleine Russell-Shapiro, Assistant Director of Education and Employment

Zakiah Pierre DC Metro Area, 2010

“Education Pioneers got me into education at the right level and supported me to succeed.”
Thalia Theodore Washington New York, 2006

“The fellowship was the intersection of business, policy, and education. Hearing the term 'hybrid leader' was an 'aha!' moment.”
Sara Keenan New York, 2007

“By the end of the summer, some of my previous assumptions had changed.”
Neil Danberg Bay Area, 2006

“I truly believe that public education should be seen as a civil rights issue.”
Nancy Que Los Angeles, 2007

“I see education as the gateway to our opportunities in life.”
Mara Rodriguez Boston, 2008

“It made me realize that I wasn't crazy after all to make this career switch and that, in fact, I was in really good company.”
Kristin Richmond Bay Area, 2005

“I can't even quantify the amount of value the fellowship gave me.”
Kerci Marcello Stroud Boston, 2007

“I felt like I had experienced thirty summer placements instead of just one.”
Kaya Stone Bay Area, 2005

“My Education Pioneers experience showed me that I had plenty of company in my newly chosen career path.”
Jimmy Henderson DC Metro Area, 2007

“The reward of working every day on behalf of historically underserved students to ensure that they have access to a quality education is far more important than making half a million dollars.”
Jeff Kang DC Metro Area, 2007

“The Fellowship is not just a job and a few lines on the resume. It was a time to truly understand my calling and connect with others.”
Jacqueline Pohl Bay Area, 2006

“We're moving mountains. Everyone in our sector is unified and working together towards the same goals, and we're able make strides by constantly sharing knowledge.”