Mission
First Star works to uplift communities and create change by building strong pathways for high-school-age youth in foster care to post-secondary education and successful adult lives. First Star was founded in 1999 by media executive Peter Samuelson and lawyer Sherry Quirk as a national 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to improving life for child victims of abuse and neglect. Since 2011 First Star has pioneered support programs to launch foster children into productive lives and careers through higher education. In 2016, the growth and diversity of First Star’s programs required two entities with separately focused governance, and the historical First Star policy work was transferred to First Star Institute. The amicable relationship between the two organizations builds on First Star’s success, and the two “sister” entities share a common lineage. We believe in providing the freedom and tools that support successful progression towards individual and collective goals.