My Nonprofit Reviews
aambris
Review for First Place for Youth, Oakland, CA, USA
I'm a current First Place participant emancipating from program in July and I must say that First Place has been such a SAVIOR for me! I, honestly, don't even want to think about what would have happened to me after I emancipated from the system without FP. I'd been in the system since I was 4 years old, had no experience whatsoever in supporting myself and was not even close to ready to live on my own. First Place taught me the most findamental things I needed to know to support myself like how to create a budget and manage my money. They showed me how to enroll in classes and financial aid and how to find work. They offered workshops for all of these things... Actually the job I currently have (working at Safeway) I found through the Safeway Orientation workshop held at the FP office and I've just been recommended for my first promotion! They also gave me a Youth Advisor with whom I've created a trusting bond with to help me with the struggles of being independant. My FPYA has helped me in so many ways with my personal life and learning how to live independantly such as balancing work and play and prioritizing correctly so I can get my stuff taken care of. I sincerely believe that every county in the state, if not the entire country, should have a program like First Place. They have helped me so much in these past two years and, in July, I know that I will be ready to move into my own as a self sufficient, independant adult. THANK YOU FIRST PLACE! -Albert
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
MYSELF! I can manage my money, know how to find work if I need it and can participate in college and financial aid I know that people are there to support me and I have never had that type of support my entire life.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
It's given me a chance to explore and find myself. I've been able to find what works and what doesn't in terms of being self sufficient. Also, I'm constantly surrounded with people who genuinely care about my welfare and, I have to say, thats nice for once.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Very nice and caring. While some of them may be tough and strict, I know its because they have my best in mind.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Change the world for foster youth!!! 95% of foster youth who emancipate this year will become homeless and with ten million bucks FP could eradicate that statistic forever!
Ways to make it better...
I didn't have so many FPYAs. I've had four or so since I've been in program and all of them have left for one reason or other.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
funding! Foster youth aren't a huge problem for a lot of people because if you don't have any involvement with the system, its not really on your mind.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I LOVE FIRST PLACE!
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
