We support young adults "aging out" of the foster care system as they launch into adulthood.
Young people often face uncertainty as they enter adulthood — and this is especially true for those who are “aging out” of the foster care system.
To help them reach their full potential at a pivotal time in their lives, our My First Place™ program provides young adults aging out of foster care with shared, rent-free apartments. With a stable place to call home and individualized supports from our team, youth focus on their education and employment goals, build community, and establish foundations for long-term self-sufficiency.
My First Place™ is a nationally-recognized program that was first developed more than two decades ago by First Place for Youth, a California-based nonprofit. HopeWell currently works with young people aging out of foster care in the Greater Boston and Greater Springfield, Massachusetts areas.
For More Information About My First Place™
Contact HopeWell
Greater Boston
Beccah Tibert
Senior Director of Transition-Age Youth Services
Program Update
New Apartments
Thanks to support from our philanthropic partners, HopeWell recently purchased two multi-unit apartment homes that will enable us to directly support young people aging out of foster care for decades to come!
How it Works
My First Place™ provides housing to ensure youth have a safe, stable foundation. Each youth works closely with our team — including Youth Advocates, Education and Employment Specialists, and Housing Specialists — to meet the personal goals most important to them, and to access the tools they need to reach their full potential in school, work, and life.
- Safe, stable housing located near public transportation, colleges, and work opportunities — as well as support with good tenancy skills.
- Individualized case management to help develop independence and remove barriers to reaching their goals.
- Education and employment support to pursue their educational plans and secure sustainable, living-wage employment.
- Healthy living skills to balance physical, mental, and emotional health — including everything from financial literacy, to personal well-being, to parenting.
of youth in My First Place™ held the same job for 90+ days
of eligible youth enrolled in a post-secondary program while in My First Place™
A CONTINUUM OF CARE
3 Ways HopeWell Supports Young People Aging Out of Foster Care
HopeWell helps young people build stable, healthy, and independent futures as they transition from foster care into adulthood. We provide personalized support and case management as they work toward their goals in education, employment, housing, and overall well-being.
We offer three pathways of support for transition-age youth:
My Next Step
We provide youth age 16+ who are living in foster care, with extended family, or independently in the community with wraparound support in areas like education, employment, finances, daily living, and mental health.
My First Place™
We provide youth age 18+ with shared, rent-free apartments along with personalized support and guidance. Youth pursue their personal, educational, and career goals, while building pathways to stable, self-sufficient adult lives.
FYI Vouchers
For youth who have exited the child welfare system and obtained a Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) voucher, we help them find housing that accepts their voucher and we provide ongoing wraparound support.