- What is First Place?
- Vision Statement
- Mission Statement
- Education Program
- Support Services
- Advocacy
- Additional Information
- Job Openings
First Place Facts
What is First Place?
We are a service agency devoted to educating and nurturing children whose families struggle with the risk or reality of homelessness. We offer housing, culturally relevant education and support services enabling families to achieve permanent stability. First Place provides the following services to families at no cost:
- Quality Education in a safe, small classroom setting for children in grades K through 6th grade including assessment and evaluation.
- Counseling, case management and social services to empower children and their families to achieve stability.
- Basic Services such as a nutritious breakfast, lunch and snack, clothing, school supplies, transportation, health screenings and referrals, and art and therapy.
- Services to facilitate student placement and transition in to the most appropriate school setting.
Vision Statement:
Hope, home, and education for every child, one family at a time.
Mission Statement:
At First Place, we recognize the special needs of families in transition due to homelessness or crises that impact family stability. Our mission is to educate and nurture children whose families struggle with the risk or reality of homelessness, where we offer housing, culturally relevant education and support services enabling families to achieve permanent stability.
Education Program:
First place offers a school for children in grades K-6. We feature:
- “Teaching For Understanding” and "Classroom Without Walls" curriculum
- Small class size
- Tutoring and mentoring
- Counseling as needed
- Breakfast, lunch and snack provided
- For more information, see our Education page.
Support Services For Children and Families:
- Provision of basic needs (e.g. clothing, referrals for shelter or housing). Our chef provides a nutritional breakfast, lunch and snack to every student.
- Family case management
- On-site play, art and movement therapies; student therapeutic groups; and parent support groups
- Employment counseling, job assessments and referrals for parents
- Family Stabilization Program (transitional housing, case management, and leadership development).
- See the Family Support Services page for more details.
Advocacy For Students in Transition:
- Providing lectures and instruction at local colleges and universities;
- Speaking at public forums and conferences locally, nationally, and internationally;
- Maintaining contact with local, state, and national legislators; and
- Participating in advocacy groups as well as providing
leadership and resources,
for groups such as Seattle-King County Coalition for the Homeless and the Committee to End Homelessness in King County.
Additional Information
Get more information on these topics by visiting the following websites:
- Real Change
- United Way of King County
- Treehouse
- Youth Care
- Washington State Department of Social and Health Services
