#Backtoschool 🌟

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First Star is headed Back to School!

Thank you for your generous support of First Star and the students in foster care we serve. As part of our community, your support is creating a meaningful and lasting difference. Thanks to you, our programs and scholars are thriving!
* In 2024, 96% of First Star scholars graduated from high school and 92% enrolled in post-secondary education. Nationwide, less than 50% of youth in foster care graduate high school and less than 10% enroll in post-secondary education.
* For those First Star scholars entering post-secondary education, 55% enrolled at four-year universities—an impressive 10% higher than the national enrollment rate for high school seniors.
* The First Star Alumni Program has expanded by 43% since 2023. We’ve distributed over $50,000 in emergency micro-grants, awarding a total of 168 micro-grants to alumni. These grants have provided essential school supplies, food, health and hygiene products, and vital housing support.
* The Scholar Voice Podcast ([link removed]) provides a community space dedicated to developing youth-led solutions. This year, scholars created a three-episode mini-series exploring imposter syndrome, identity, and mental health.

As our scholars return to school, First Star urgently needs your support. Costs are rising across the board, making your help more crucial now than ever. Your contribution will enable us to continue offering life-changing programs and resources to youth in foster care across the country.

Please make a gift to First Star today to ensure our programs can continue to transform the lives of our scholars and alumni. We can’t do it without you!
Donate Today! ([link removed])
Some Summer Highlights

This summer national staff and board members visited our scholars in session at all of our academies! Pictured here, are visits to Kent State University, Cal State University Sacramento, Arizona State University, and UCLA.

In June, First Star and the Foster Youth Pre-College Collective released the Destination Graduation report, about the persistent barriers experienced by youth in foster care and promising practices that support their educational attainment and future success. Univision (KMEX-TV) ([link removed]) interviewed First Star's CEO Lyndsey C. Wilson, Director of Academy Engagement Karina Garcia-Lopez, and First Star scholar Wilmer Henriquez about the innovative practices highlighted in Destination Graduation. ([link removed])
First Star UCLA Bruin Guardian Scholar Alumna Andi Mata,
shared her struggles during her post-secondary journey
with EdSource in this July 31st OpEd. ([link removed])
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First Star, Inc.
2049 Century Park East, Suite 4320
Los Angeles, CA 90067
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