Building Strong Pathways for Youth in Foster Care

Brian Ritchey, Senior Director of Academy Partnerships at First Star, discusses efforts to provide high school youth in foster care with tools & opportunities for adulthood.

Comcast Newsmaker
September 12, 2025

Peter Samuelson, Finding Happy

First Star’s founder Peter Samuelson’s mission is chronicled in his powerful new memoir, Finding Happy. Read about Peter’s bold path, First Star’s origin story, and how service can lead us all toward our own version of happiness.

June 16, 2025

How First Star Academy Uses AR to Empower Foster Kids

First Star was on Good Day Sacramento, discussing our Sacramento State Academy, Advocacy Day, the Destination Graduation report, and the Creation Conference!

Good Day Sacramento
March 26, 2025

Law Paying College Room & Board for Virginia Foster Youth Takes Effect

Academy Director Alexia Hargrove at ODU Academy was featured on a local news segment highlighting Virginia’s new bill HB700 supporting foster youth.

3WTKR
December 20, 2024

From First Star to future doctor: Meet ASU alumni Sam Perez

Foster care youth often face extra challenges to gaining access to higher education, something recent Arizona State University alumni Sam Perez understands firsthand.

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
December 16, 2024

My Life as a Foster Youth Includes Dreams of College

First Star guides high-school-aged foster youth through their journey to college, filling in for the support from family and friends that most young people take for granted.

EDSOURCE
July 31, 2024

First Star Academy Builds Confidence and Careers

Guided by University faculty and alumni, a cohort of youths impacted by foster care is strengthening academic skills and thriving as part of their summer residency experience.

U MIAMI NEWS
July 24, 2024

First Star Supports Youth Living in Foster Care with HopSkipDrive

HopSkipDrive provides rides to scholars during the academic year and summer at the First Star Arizona State University Academy.

First Star Discusses Destino Graduación, Destination Graduation

Featuring First Star Director of Academy Engagement Karina Garcia-Lopez and First Star CEO Lyndsey C. Wilson for Univision

First Star is a Founding Partner of the Foster Youth Pre-College Collective (tFYPC)

First Star is a proud member of tFYPC, a coalition of leading California-based organizations working to improve the high school completion rates of foster youth.

June 4, 2024

A Documentary About Foster Care, “Possible Selves,” Tells the Stories Rarely Heard

Featuring First Star Alumnus and Board Member Alex Ballantyne

These L.A. Foster Kids Defied the Odds When they Aged Out: ‘This isn’t the end of my story’

Featuring First Star Alumnus and Board Member Alex Ballantyne

Karma a Driving Force for Senior

First Star Peer Mentor Sarah Petit won the Toppel Career Center’s #BreakThru Award for her commitment to overcoming obstacles

Economic Mobility Through College Prep and Free College for Students with Experience in Foster Care

Featuring First Star Alumnus and Board Member Isael Andrade

Conference Furthers Mission of Long-term Investments in Foster Care Youth

At the 2023 First Star conference, leaders focused on the power of connection

Program helps foster kids achieve college dreams

First Star scholar Julie Penafort describes First Star’s impact on her life. Featuring First Star’s Isael Andrade and Karina Garcia.

CBS EVENING NEWS
December 8, 2022

In Depth: Heroes of Foster Care

This local news segment highlights the foster care system and First Star – featuring First Star CEO and Board Member Lyndsey Collins Wilson

APSAC Award Winners 2021

First Star’s Co-Founder & President, Peter Samuelson, is receiving the 2021 Outstanding Media Coverage Award at APSAC’s Virtual Colloquium for both his work with First Star and his latest film Foster Boy.

‘The film is like their mouthpiece’: Foster Boy Gives Voice to Kids in Care

Producers invited 120 foster children on set & film received standing ovation at screening

THE GUARDIAN
July 4, 2021

Children’s Non-profit CEO Discusses State of Foster Care System in US

Featuring First Star CEO and Board Member Lyndsey Collins Wilson

Tidewater Friends of Foster Care Interviews Lyndsey C. Wilson

Tidewater Friends of Foster Care, in Norfolk, VA, asked First Star to take part in their Foster Care Aware campaign

Applying to College Was Never Easy for Most Students. The Pandemic Made It Nearly Impossible.

Featuring input from our First Star Alumni and our CEO Lyndsey Collins Wilson

“Foster Boy” Film Panel Discussion

A members-only panel discussion from the producers of the film Foster Boy

Foster Care Crisis: More Kids are Entering, But Fewer Families are Willing to Take Them In

Experts and state agencies say families are reluctant to take in foster children for fear of spreading Covid-19

NBC NEWS
December 30, 2020

For Foster Kids, COVID-19 Poses a Second Obstacle to Stability and Success

An estimated 400,000 children are in foster care in the U.S.

Shaq in the Hat

Shaquille O’Neal attended the premiere of “Foster Boy” at the Pan African Film Festival where he met First Star UCLA Bruin Guardian Scholars Academy students. Shaq is focused on bringing awareness to the foster care system as the film’s executive producer.

EXTRA TV
February 17, 2020

‘First Star’ Makes College Real for Kids in Foster Care

Thanks to a non-profit called First Star, youth in foster care have been groomed for college since the 9th grade

College for Kids in Foster Care Thanks to First Star Academies – #2

Guests include: Peter Samuelson (First Star President & Co-Founder), Karina Garcia (First Star Team), and First Star UCLA scholars Khalia Thompson and Semaj Massengale

OLYMPIC & BUNDY WITH CHRISTINE DEVINE
August 7, 2019

College for Kids in Foster Care Thanks to First Star Academies – #1

First Star Academies are introducing kids in foster care to college and changing the odds! The UCLA Academy is inspiring foster youth to successfully transition to higher education.

OLYMPIC & BUNDY WITH CHRISTINE DEVINE
August 6, 2019