A First Place For Youth Who Age Out Of Foster Care
First Place provides safe, supportive housing where youth aging out of foster care can build independence, stability, confidence, practical life skills, and brighter futures ahead.
Helping Foster Youth Build Independent Futures
Kids Belong is currently accepting applications for First Place! — go to the application page at firstplace.kidsbelong.org
Youth who age out of foster care have more obstacles than their peers who did not grow up in foster care. With First Place, we have an opportunity to help them succeed.
Housing is a major obstacle for aged-out youth. Turning 18 out of foster care means youth have no credit or rental history. This makes finding an adequate apartment very difficult, which leaves kids holding on to negative or unsafe living situations simply to have a place to stay.
With energy being directed toward finding housing or sustaining an unsafe housing situation, youth have a harder time taking steps toward their future just at the time when they need them the most.
We have an opportunity to provide safe, stable housing for youth, helping them get their first place—an apartment of their own. In this transitional space, they can learn to budget, pay rent on a graduated scale, take care of their own place, and do it all with a supportive family and community nearby to help them succeed.
They will build credit and rental history until they are ready and able to get an apartment and be self-sufficient.
Our First Four Duplexes Are Now Complete
Our plan is to build 14 rental units in Muskegon—seven duplexes—on a property in a perfect location near the bus line, the highway, and within walking distance of a college and a tech school, all with a support family right next door.
Our first four duplexes are now complete for a total of eight apartments! We are very excited about this progress, and we are working on the site plan for the rest of the property.
We plan to build three more duplexes and another multi-use space for offices, meetings, and other support services for First Place and local foster care.
An aerial image of the first four duplexes, while number four was still under construction. There is room for expansion at the top and right of the image.
Kids Belong is asking for your help to make this a reality for aged-out youth. We believe that providing safe and stable housing means fewer youth in dangerous living situations and more young people able to pursue education and employment, setting them up for greater success in life.
Our goal is independence and self-sufficiency. Youth who age out of foster care are capable of achieving these things; they may simply need a little more help getting there. Providing them with their First Place will be a big step in the right direction.
How To Donate
By Mail:
Checks can be made out to Kids Belong. Please write “First Place” in the memo line to give toward this project and mail to:
Kids Belong277 Shonat St
Muskegon, MI 49442
Venmo:
@Kidsbelong
Fact Sheets and More Information
The Youth Who Need A First Place
Linda* (not her real name) was in foster care from
Give Through Muskegon Community Foundation:
You can now also give to First Place through the Muskegon Community Foundation! This is a great option for those who would like to give through the foundation and/or give in other ways such as through Apple/Google pay, direct bank transfers, stocks, or through an IRA or a Donor Advised Fund
