"By the time Stevie Steele turned 18, they had been kicked out of their family's home, had bounced in and out of children's group homes, had dealt with addiction and homelessness, and had no idea what to do next. Once a child turns 18, the assistance from California's foster care system changes dramatically for many young people exiting their foster homes."
"The organization began in 1997, when Amy Lemley and Deanne Pearn, two graduate students at Berkeley, realized that young people transitioning out of foster care had little in the way of public support. "They were literally dropped off on a corner or at a homeless shelter with a garbage bag of belongings, and that was it," said Jayme Catalano, First Place for Youth's communications director."
"First Place began offering these young people financial literacy courses and a bit of money to help them pay rent. They later expanded to cover move-in costs and long-term subsidized housing. And by 2000, the organization had an eight-person staff and a full case-management system to help foster youth finish high school and prepare them for life as adults. Over the following 25 years, the organization raised millions of dollars and developed a statewide system supporting young people transitioning out of foster care."
Stevie Steele experienced eviction from family home, group-home instability, addiction, homelessness, and uncertainty after turning 18. California's foster care assistance changes dramatically at 18, leaving many young people with limited ongoing public support unless they meet eligibility such as employment or education. Many of these youth struggle without traditional foster-care guidance and face a sink-or-swim reality, with many failing to thrive. First Place for Youth began in 1997 when Amy Lemley and Deanne Pearn created programs to fill gaps in support for transitioning foster youth. The organization provided financial literacy, rent and move-in assistance, long-term subsidized housing, case-management, raised millions, built statewide supports, and advocated for legal changes like Assembly Bill 12 to extend foster care.
Read at The Mercury News
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