First Place for Youth
Thomas G. Lee has extensive experience in the field of youth advocacy and support. Thomas G. currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of First Place for Youth, an organization dedicated to helping foster youth transition into adulthood. Prior to this role, they were the Executive Director of Friends of the Children - Los Angeles, where they empowered young people facing the greatest obstacles through mentorship. Thomas also worked as the Director of the Opportunity Youth Collaborative at the Alliance for Children's Rights and served as the Division Director of TAY at Hillsides. Earlier in their career, they worked as an English teacher and advisor at both the King Drew Magnet High School of Medicine and Science and San Gabriel High School.
Thomas G. Lee holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in English from California State University, Los Angeles. Thomas G. also earned a Master's degree in Education and Administration from National University.
First Place for Youth
First Place for Youth was founded in 1998 to prevent poverty and homelessness among youth who age out of foster care. The mission of First Place is to help foster youth build the skills they need to make a successful transition to self-sufficiency and responsible adulthood. First Place was the first organization dedicated exclusively to providing housing for transitioning foster youth in Northern California and has grown into the state’s largest provider for this vulnerable population. First Place utilizes a scattered-site housing program model, which puts youth in a realistic, independent setting in their local communities.