Young people often face uncertainty as they enter adulthood — and this is especially true for youth who are “aging out” of foster care without the support of a permanent family. In Massachusetts alone, 600-900 young people age out of the foster care system each year.
About Our My First Place™ Program
My First Place™ is a nationally-recognized program that is specially designed to support the needs of young people aging out of the foster care system at a pivotal time in their lives. It was first developed two decades ago by First Place for Youth, a California-based nonprofit.
My First Place™ provides shared rent-free apartments to ensure a safe, stable foundation — and supports each youth as they focus on their education and employment goals.
Our team of staff — including Youth Advocates, Education and Employment Specialists, and Housing Specialists — work to ensure each youth has the tools they need to reach their full potential in school, work and life, including individualized case management, weekly meetings, and evidence-based approaches to guide practice.
Our My First Place™ program currently works with youth who are aging out of foster care in both the Greater Boston and Greater Springfield, MA areas.
My First Place™ Greater Boston
Program Director: Rebeccah Tibert
Phone: 617-318-5176
Email: info@hopewellinc.org
My First Place™ Greater Springfield
Program Director: Yeisie Mateo
Phone: 413-650-2676
Email: info@hopewellinc.org
Learn more about what the data says about the challenges and inequities that young people "aging out" of foster care face — and see what our My First Place™ program is doing to ensure they have the opportunities they need to grow and thrive.