Stay Informed, Inspired, and Connected to the First Star Mission |
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First Star Scholars Are Beating the Odds With Your Support |
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For many youth in foster care, the odds are daunting: only half graduate high school, 10% enroll in college, and just 3% complete a degree. Too often, they leave the system without support, facing homelessness, unemployment, or incarceration.
First Star is rewriting that story, and your support makes it possible!
The Class of 2025 is excelling, with 98% of students graduating from high school (compared to just 50% nationally), 46% heading to four-year colleges, 29% to community colleges, 8% enrolling in vocational programs, and 17% entering the workforce directly. |
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Beyond Academics Our whole-scholar approach helps young people do more than graduate; they thrive: 80% feel hopeful about their future 70% feel a strong sense of belonging 70% believe they can succeed in college
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| These results, developed with Dr. Philip Hong of the University of Georgia through the National Bright Futures Survey, show the power of stability, mentorship, and opportunity. Because of partners like you, we are not just changing statistics, we are changing lives. |
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To learn more, please click on the button below to access the 2025 First Star National Fact Sheet. |
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| Academy Engagement Spotlight |
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The National First Star Peer Mentor Award Honors and recognizes peer mentors who have gone above and beyond in supporting youth in care. |
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| 2025 Award Recipient: Kayla Murillo
Kayla Murillo, a first-generation Latina and former foster youth, is this year’s National Peer Mentor Award recipient. As a UCLA Bruin Guardian Scholars alumna, Kayla went from volunteer to Summer Coordinator, deeply impacting foster youth by helping them find their "chosen family." This fall, she will continue her dedication to youth in care by pursuing a Master's degree in Non-profit Leadership and Management at USC. |
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The Brilliance Award Honors and recognizes First Star Academy Director candidates who have excelled in leadership, demonstrated a strong commitment to their scholars, actively collaborated with colleagues across the network, and showed a deep passion for the work. |
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2025 Brilliance Award Recipient: Kurt Manio
We are proud to announce that Kurt Manio is the recipient of the 2025 First Star Brilliance Award. A leader dedicated to transforming opportunities for foster youth, Kurt launched the First Star Cal State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) Academy in 2018, graduating its inaugural cohort in 2022. Since then, he has expanded the Academy's reach while also serving as an Associate |
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Director of California Student Opportunity and Access Program, where he leads college access programs. As a lecturer at the CSUSB School of Social Work, his work in both practice and teaching demonstrates a deep commitment to creating equitable pathways of success. |
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SCHOLAR & ALUMNI JOURNEYS |
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Alumni Spotlight: Delany Takes the Stage |
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At our 2025 Alumni Awards Show, celebrating ten years of First Star graduates, we were proud to welcome alumnus Delany as the keynote speaker.
A graduate of the New Jersey Academy Class of 2019, Delany has remained deeply connected to First Star as a peer mentor, an active member of the Alumni Program, and now as a professional committed to giving back. After earning his bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in psychology from Rowan University in 2023, Delany began serving as a Success Coach at GiveBack, helping students reach their goals. |
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Delany’s journey is a powerful reminder of what your support makes possible: scholars who grow into leaders, mentors, and changemakers.
“One thing that I learned about myself in the First Star Program is that all I ever wanted was to feel like I belonged and that my voice is heard. And the First Star family did exactly that.” – Delany, Class of 2019 |
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Alumni Program Resource Pop Up |
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On August 12, 2025, First Star’s Alumni Program hosted its first-ever virtual resource pop-up, designed to connect alumni with tools and opportunities that support their continued growth and success. |
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Through new partnerships with Areté Rising and the Identity Theft Resource Center, alumni gained access to valuable career and life resources. Areté Rising introduced Alt Path, a career exploration platform that allows users to build a personalized “match me” profile, offering tailored education and job recommendations. |
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Alt Path also provides Alt-Aid, a financial support resource to help ease the costs transition-age youth face when enrolling in school or training programs.
The Identity Theft Resource Center shared essential guidance on safeguarding personal information and navigating steps to take if identity theft occurs, empowering alumni with practical knowledge for long-term security.
This event strengthened connections, expanded resources, and reinforced First Star’s unwavering commitment to supporting alumni well beyond their Academy journey. |
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Expanding Impact Through Partnership |
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At First Star, our impact grows through partnership. This year, amazing allies have helped us remove barriers, expand opportunities, and build brighter futures for scholars, caregivers, and alumni nationwide.
As Brian Ritchey, our Senior Director of Academy Partnerships, says: “Together, we can ensure scholars and alumni thrive long after graduation!” |
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Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is investing over two years to launch our Modeling Permanency Project, led by Kent State, strengthening caregiver support across Academies at ASU, Utah, and Sacramento State.
With Foster Greatness, alumni will soon have a dedicated space in their app for resources, events, and community. And thanks to One Simple Wish, every graduating senior entering our Alumni Program can celebrate milestones with a wish.
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Brian Ritchey, Senior Director of Academy Partnerships at First Star, joins host Tetiana Anderson of Comcast Newsmakers to discuss efforts to provide high school youth in foster care with tools and opportunities for adulthood. View the conversation by clicking the image below — or simply click HERE. |
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We are proud to highlight the generosity of Deirdre and Bill Catuzzi, whose support has made a lasting impact on our mission. Since their first gift ten years ago this week, the Catuzzis have been steadfast partners in launching academies, innovating new programming, amplifying our impact, and propelling us into the future by funding research and development for our next bold initiative. |
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| Their commitment goes beyond financial contributions. Bill has spent time with our scholars, sponsoring outings like baseball games that create special moments of joy and connection. Their most recent gift is helping us envision the evolution of our Academy programming as we expand our efforts to reach more youth.
“ We believe in the power of education and community to transform lives. First Star inspires us because it doesn’t just change today for these young people—it helps them build a brighter tomorrow.” – Deirdre & Bill Catuzzi “ |
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Thanks to Deirdre and Bill’s generosity, hundreds of young people have graduated from high school and gone on to successful adult lives. We are deeply grateful for their partnership and commitment to brighter futures. |
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First Star's 25th Anniversary Celebration |
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October 21, 2025 - First Star’s 25th Anniversary Celebration Join us for an inspiring evening filled with storytelling, recognition, and purpose, as we celebrate First Star’s 25th anniversary. Since 2000, we have been dedicated to transforming lives through innovative education and support programs for youth and young adults in foster care. This special event will unite our community of champions, including donors, partners, alumni, and friends.
To purchase tickets, click HERE to reserve your seat or learn more. |
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