First Place For Youth

FIRST PLACE FOR YOUTH IS A CALIFORNIA NONPROFIT PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION, WHICH WAS INCORPORATED ON JULY 20, 1999, TO PREVENT POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS AMONG YOUTH WHO "AGE OUT" OF THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM BY PROVIDING THEM WITH THE RESOURCES AND SUPPORT REQUIRED TO MAKE A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENT LIVING. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SERVICES TO YOUTH AGES 16 TO 24, INCLUDING YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE CURRENTLY IN FOSTER CARE, AS WELL AS THOSE PREPARING TO, OR WHO RECENTLY HAVE AGED OUT OF THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM. THE ORGANIZATION WORKS TO ENSURE YOUTH HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE A SAFE AND SUPPORTED TRANSITION THROUGH A HOUSING PROGRAM, INTENSIVE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, AN ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM, COUNSELING, YOUTH COMMUNITY CENTER, COLLABORATION WITH OTHER BAY AREA AGENCIES, AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION, ENABLING YOUTH TO GAIN THE SKILLS TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY AND SUCCEED ON THEIR OWN.

MY FIRST PLACE, A TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM, PROVIDES STABILITY FOR CURRENT AND FORMER FOSTER YOUTH THROUGH SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT, AND ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT SERVICES. YOUTH RECEIVE SUPPORT WITH MOVE-IN COSTS, RENT, FOOD, SELF-RELIANCE PLANNING, LIFE SKILLS TRAINING, HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY, AND TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE. STEPS TO SUCCESS IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE MY FIRST PLACE PROGRAM, AND PROVIDES CURRENT AND FORMER FOSTER YOUTH WITH ONE-ON-ONE EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT COUNSELING, SUPPORTING THEM IN COMPLETING THEIR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR GED CERTIFICATE, ENROLLING IN COLLEGE, SECURING FINANCIAL AID, AND ACCESSING TUTORING. STEPS TO SUCCESS ALSO SUPPORTS YOUTH WITH EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE, CAREER PLANNING, AND IN BUILDING THEIR WORKPLACE SKILLS.

INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS PROGRAM (ILSP) IS OFFERED TO YOUTH IN SAN FRANCISCO AND SOLANO COUNTIES. THROUGH ILSP, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES A FULL RANGE OF SERVICES, INCLUDING EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE, CAREER DEVELOPMENT, FAMILY FINDING AND PERMANENCY SERVICES, LIFE SKILLS WORKSHOPS, AND COMMUNITY EVENTS. FIRST FOUNDATION IS AN EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAM WITHIN ILSP THAT BEGINS WITH HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORES WHO ARE WILLING TO COMMIT TO THE PROGRAM THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION. THROUGHOUT HIGH SCHOOL, THE ORGANIZATION STAFF MEMBERS PROVIDE ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT DESIGNED TO HELP INCREASE ON-TIME HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATES ALONG WITH WORKSHOPS ON EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT.

THE GOAL OF THE MY FIRST PLACE NETWORK IS TO CREATE A GROUP OF PROVIDERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO USE MY FIRST PLACE TO DELIVER STRONG OUTCOMES FOR TRANSITION-AGE YOUTH AND ADVOCATE FOR IMPROVED POLICIES AND SUPPORTS FOR THESE YOUTH IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. FIRST PLACE PROVIDES NETWORK PARTNERS WITH DEEP TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT IN THE AREAS OF PROGRAM, FUNDRAISING, AND POLICY TO IMPLEMENT THE MY FIRST PLACE MODEL SUCCESSFULLY.