Latest news with #ThomasLee
Washington Post
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
History holds fast in Leesburg, Virginia
On a recent morning in Leesburg, Virginia, King Street reverberated with modern energy from contemporary shops and cafes on streets plotted in the mid-18th century. Outside the city hub, housing developments around the Loudoun County seat insulate rather than isolate the Colonial city of nearly 50,000. Originally named George Town after the English monarch, the town's name was changed in 1758 to honor the Lee family, including Thomas Lee, a plantation owner and politician. Lee was the patron of a political dynasty that continued with his son, Francis Lightfoot Lee, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Robert E. Lee, who stayed in the city during the Civil War campaign, was Thomas Lee's great-grand nephew.
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Conman, 32, who faked terminal brain cancer to swindle school friend out of thousands of pounds is jailed
A callous conman who faked being terminally ill with a brain tumour to swindle an old classmate out of thousands of pounds has been jailed for a year. Matthew Howarth, 32, contacted Thomas Lee out of the blue around 16 years after they left secondary school - but then began falsely telling him he only had weeks to live. During his heartless scam, jobless Howarth boasted of being a TV producer with private health insurance but claimed he needed cash to pay an excess on the policy. In one Facebook post, he wrote: 'An utterly abysmal few weeks in and out of hospital like a proverbial pinball. Never a dull moment when suffering from illness.' Mr Lee, also 32, who was vulnerable after splitting up with his long-time partner, agreed to take out a loan to pay out £2,700 on the understanding he would be paid back - only to be landed with a second plea for £27,000. He then started to do his own research into Howarth and discovered a Facebook page involving up to two other people who gave him money. A neighbour of Howarth is also believed to have handed over £7,300. Mr Lee, a telecommunications worker, asked Howarth for medical evidence of his illness but went to police when he was fobbed off with a string of excuses. Inquiries revealed Howarth - who lives with his housebound mother in Atherton, Greater Manchester - had no terminal illness. In another Facebook post, Howarth shamelessly referenced the Princess of Wales' cancer treatment, adding ironically: 'Someone I used to know lied about a cancer diagnosis to get benefits and a new property. 'What sort of despicable human being does that? Lowest of the low dregs of society. Shame on you!' In a victim impact statement, Mr Lee said: 'At the time I was in quite a depressed state having separated with my partner of nine years and when Matt reached out it made me feel good to get back in contact with someone else. 'Everything seemed to be going well until he told me he was weeks away from death. It affected my sleep and mental wellbeing and it also affected my work. 'Initially when I found out none of it was true I was actually relieved my friend was not dying and that I would no longer have to help sort out funeral arrangements after all. 'However when all that died down, I then got to think about what had been done which made me angry and upset. It made me feel quite stupid. 'He was someone I thought was a friend. It really affected my trust in people. I used to do anything for people. Now I second guess things and I cannot trust someone who is not my family.' In another post, Howarth shamelessly referenced the Princess of Wales' cancer treatment At Wigan Magistrates Court, Howarth pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation. He was jailed for 12 months and ordered to pay Mr Lee £1,200 in compensation. Three iPhones and a brand new MacBook have additionally been seized by police so that they can be sold to help repay the victim. Miss Shazia Aslam, prosecuting, said: 'Thomas Lee is an old school friend of the defendant who contacted him even though they had not been in touch since they had left high school many years ago. 'The defendant told the complainant he had worked in TV and that he has private medical care that covers him up to £10 million for treatment. He then maintained that he said that a £10,000 excess had to be paid on that and said he had already received about £7,300 of that total. 'The complainant at the time was feeling very vulnerable and in his words says the defendant almost groomed him. 'The defendant said he wanted to get treated at a private hospital and said if he did not receive this pending treatment he would die within months. 'The complainant, having heard all this, suffered from sleepless nights as he thought about his old friend apparently dying when he could be in a position to help. 'He told the defendant that he would take out a loan and he would give the loan money to the defendant and the defendant could eventually pay him back. 'As a result, the complainant transferred £2,700 on October 17, 2023, by a bank transfer. 'After the money had been transferred the complainant said that he did not suspect anything untoward until the defendant asked for a further amount of money to be paid. 'He then started to do his own research into the defendant and discovered a Facebook page involving up to two people, who are believed to have contributed money to the defendant in the past. 'One person believed to have contributed £7,300 is a neighbour of the defendant. 'Mr Lee asked for medical evidence from the defendant to prove the illness but was kept being given excuses and he reported the matter to police. The defendant was arrested and and gave full admissions of guilt in the interview. 'He said he apologised for doing it and said he was not in the right headspace. He said he was in a bad mental space and for that reason he lied to the complainant about having a brain tumour and claiming it was causing him to become seriously ill.' In mitigation for Howarth, defence solicitor Duncan Phillips said: 'My client acknowledges the seriousness of what he has done to Mr Lee. 'But he has suffered multiple traumatic events over a period of time and clearly he is a very vulnerable individual himself. 'This is someone who is remorseful and can only apologise and make things right as he intends to do.' Speaking from the dock, Howarth said: 'I am sincerely sorry and I am heartbroken to lose my friend. I had been experiencing headaches and I am back under neurology for an urgent referral.' Howarth was also banned from contacting Me Lee for two years under the terms of a restraining order. JPs told him: 'You deliberately targeted a vulnerable victim over a period of time, resulting in a serious detrimental effect on him and a financial gain for yourself. '
Forbes
01-05-2025
- General
- Forbes
Extended Foster Care Works: Why Implementation Makes All The Difference
Written by Thomas Lee, CEO, First Place for Youth Each year, over 20 thousand foster youth age out of care at 18 years old. While testifying before Congress, one former foster youth said, 'When I graduated high school, the adults I relied on vanished...I was unaware of Extended Foster Care and transitional supports, and social workers did not respond to my requests for financial assistance. This led to years of homelessness, domestic violence, and instability.' As we examine recent discourse on extended foster care, a concerning narrative has emerged. After nearly two decades of implementation across 33 states, critics rightfully question whether these programs are fulfilling their transformative promise. The numbers, frankly, are disappointing. According to the 'Fostering Youth Transitions 2023' report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, only 22% of eligible youth choose to remain in care after turning 18, and an alarming 77% fail to utilize available transition services. The recent Youth Law Center report delivers a sobering assessment: ten years after California extended foster care to age 21, the program 'has not been transformative.' Despite participation, many youth continue to experience homelessness, incarceration, and mental health challenges. Nearly half of California youth report lacking reliable emotional support networks despite program participation. As someone dedicated to improving outcomes for transition-age foster youth, I find these statistics deeply troubling but not surprising. The problem isn't the concept of extended foster care itself—it's the scope of implementation. Extended foster care was never meant to simply delay the inevitable transition to adulthood. It was envisioned as a lifeline—a runway to guide young people toward a successful and fulfilling future. By providing not just a safe place to live but also a network of support, the goal was to offer stability and the chance to heal and grow. Unfortunately, in many cases, the focus has shifted too narrowly to housing, overlooking the deeper, more complex needs these young people face. For youth aging out of foster care, their journey has often been marked by years of uncertainty—nearly eight years in the system, with at least six different foster homes and numerous school changes. The instability they've faced creates deep emotional scars that can't be healed with housing alone. What's missing in many extended foster care programs is the kind of intensive, relationship-driven support that helps these young people process their trauma and develop the skills they need to thrive independently. Without this, the chance for true healing and growth remains out of reach. At First Place for Youth, we've taken a different approach. Our data from fiscal year 2024 reveals what's possible when extended foster care is implemented comprehensively. After 365 days in our My First Place program: These outcomes represent significant improvements from youth's situations when entering the program, where 47% were not stably housed, 51% were not in school, and 43% were not employed. What truly speaks volumes are the life-changing results. Just two years after completing our program, the young people we support are not only earning wages that match those of their peers who never spent time in foster care—they're actually earning 1.5 times more than young people who never enrolled in the program. And they are 1.6 times more likely to be employed. This isn't a small step forward. It's proof that extended foster care isn't just a safety net; it can be a launchpad for success. These outcomes shatter the misconception that the system has failed. Instead, they stand as a testament to the transformative power of investing in these young lives. The question isn't whether extended foster care can work, but how to implement it effectively. Through our experience serving 1,496 youth across multiple states last year, we've identified several critical elements: The mixed results of extended foster care nationally shouldn't prompt us to abandon the model but rather to refine it. Policymakers must recognize that housing-only approaches are insufficient and that comprehensive support services are not optional luxuries but essential components. Current legislation aimed at expanding federal extended foster care programs must include provisions for implementation quality, not just access. Without addressing the how, we risk replicating or reinforcing the status quo. From a fiscal perspective, investing in quality implementation makes economic sense. Research shows that providing effective extended foster care has a return on investment of $4.1 billion per year per cohort of youth aging out of care. The persistent challenges in extended foster care implementation across the country have strengthened our resolve to expand First Place for Youth's proven model nationwide. In the next five years, we plan to double our reach, growing from serving youth in seven states to fourteen. This isn't growth for growth's sake—it's a deliberate strategy to bring high-quality extended foster care services to regions where transition-age foster youth currently have few or no supports. Many young people aging out of foster care in these states face an abrupt end to services, with no runway to build the skills, resources, and networks needed for successful independence. Our expansion focuses particularly on regions with high populations of foster youth and few transitional housing options, ensuring we address the most critical service gaps first. Through strategic partnerships with local organizations, we're adapting our model to meet community-specific needs while maintaining the core elements that make our approach effective. For example, our recent expansion to Mississippi brings our proven model to a state where transition-age foster youth previously had minimal support options. This balance of standardized, evidence-based programming with localized implementation ensures that regardless of geography, every youth in our program receives the comprehensive support they need to thrive. By bringing quality extended foster care implementation to more communities, we're not just serving more youth—we're demonstrating what's possible when extended foster care is done right. If we're serious about changing outcomes for foster youth, we must move beyond debates about whether extended foster care works to focus on how it can work best. Programs like My First Place demonstrate that with the right implementation, the original vision of extended foster care—preparing youth for successful, independent adulthood—is achievable. The evidence is undeniable: when we provide stable housing paired with intensive case management, education and employment support, and a focus on health and wellness, youth don't just survive—they thrive. They don't merely escape negative outcomes; they soar to new heights, achieving employment and educational success that rivals their peers who never experienced foster care. As we engage in the national conversation about how best to support transition-age foster youth, we must stop asking whether extended foster care has failed. Instead, let's ask ourselves how we can make it work better, how we can make it truly transformative. The stakes for the 20,000 youth who age out of the system each year are far too high for us to settle for anything less than real, lasting change. The time to act is now—let's create a future where these young people don't just make it but succeed beyond our wildest expectations.
Forbes
01-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Rainy Day Has Arrived: Private Philanthropy Must Step Up As Government Steps Back From Extended Foster
Written by Thomas Lee, CEO, First Place for Youth As markets remain volatile and non-profits face drastic drops in government and private support, this is no time for philanthropy to think about cutting back. Instead, foundations and individuals must give more. There is a real risk that philanthropists will be tempted to continue to cut back on their investments and grant making. For the past year, we've seen how geopolitics and polarization in our body politic has made some take their foot off the gas. I'm not the first to notice this cycle. It's just my turn to urge you against any and all forms of retrenchment. You may feel a sense of déjà vu: You've lived through this before, but your response must be different this time around. Photo courtesy of First Place for Youth I serve as the CEO of First Place for Youth, a national nonprofit organization that delivers a comprehensive solution to the challenges facing transition-age foster youth in extended foster care (18-21 years old). For over 26 years, we've provide our youth participants who recently aged out of foster care with furnished apartments alongside intensive case management delivered by a dedicated team that wraps services around foster youth to ensure they focused on their education, get on a career path, and learn how to tap into their own resilience to manage the stressors of life. Extended foster care has transformed hundreds of thousands of young lives, providing crucial support during the transition to adulthood for our most vulnerable youth. It's one of the last upstream levers we can pull to decrease homelessness and poverty. Research consistently demonstrates that each additional year in extended care significantly improves educational attainment, employment prospects, housing stability, and overall well-being for former foster youth. Yet today, these life-changing programs face unprecedented threats from federal funding cuts that could erase years of progress. This is not merely a temporary challenge but potentially an 8 to12-year cycle that requires a fundamental rethinking of philanthropic responsibility. As we witness a paradigm shift from government funding to private sector solutions, this is precisely the moment that calls for bold philanthropic leadership to protect these essential investments in our youth and communities. The data supporting extended foster care is overwhelming and compelling. Studies have consistently demonstrated that providing support to foster youth beyond age 18 yields substantial returns both for individuals and society at large. Research from the California Youth Transitions to Adulthood Study (CaIYOUTH) found that extended foster care significantly increases educational attainment. With each additional year in care, youth experience a remarkable 46% increase in the odds of progressing to the next level of education. In practical terms, this means the predicted probability of attending some college doubles from 26% to 52% when comparing youth who exit care at 18 to those who remain until 211. Meanwhile, the probability of not finishing high school decreases dramatically from 22% to just 8%. The benefits extend far beyond education. Analysis showed that young people who remain in extended foster care are more likely to be employed, receive educational aid, and achieve housing stability. The most recent CalYOUTH study found that each additional year in extended care increases the probability of completing a high school credential by approximately 8%, increases bank account savings by $642, and decreases the odds of arrest by 28%. Research by Dr. Mark Courtney and colleagues demonstrates that extended care positively influences "education, employment, savings, food insecurity, criminal justice system involvement, and social support." These benefits continue to accrue even after youth exit the system. As the largest study of its kind concluded: "There's no evidence of harm associated with time in extended foster care." Despite these proven benefits, extended foster care programs now face existential threats from federal funding cuts. We are witnessing a fundamental paradigm shift in how social programs are financed in America. For the last 15-20 years, the government has largely been pumping cash into the economy to keep it afloat. The current push for the private sector to assume more responsibility signals a kind of austerity plan that could dramatically reduce support for our most vulnerable populations and slow our momentum. Despite foundation endowments reaching all-time highs, most grant makers have actually lowered their rate of spending in recent years, falling to 5.2 percent in 2021 from 5.6 percent in 2016, despite their growing wealth. The question was recently posed by Alex Daniels, 'In a time of non-profit defunding, will foundations put more money on the line?' The Trump administration has threatened to halt virtually all federal spending on social services, Among the programs explicitly threatened by halts in federal spending are those funded under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, which provides essential support for foster care, adoption assistance, and programs designed to prepare young adults aging out of the system. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has proposed eliminating more than $500 billion in programs, with cuts disproportionately affecting children's programs. First Focus on Children estimates that cutting these programs would cost children a staggering $101.12 billion in critical investments, with children bearing 19.6% of total funding cuts despite children's programs accounting for only 8.87% of federal spending. The impact on extended foster care could be devastating. Without these supports, we risk returning to the pre-2008 era when most foster youth were left to fend for themselves after turning 18, resulting in alarming rates of homelessness, unemployment, incarceration, and poverty. This is not a time for backwards steps. This shift may not just be a small, four-year moment—this might be an 8 to 12-year cycle that we're entering. This extended timeframe makes philanthropic intervention even more critical. Private foundations and individual donors must recognize that we are at the beginning of a fundamental realignment in how we support vulnerable populations in America. Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) and foundation endowments have grown substantially over the past decade, creating a significant reservoir of philanthropic capital. Now is the time to deploy these resources to prevent the collapse of programs that have demonstrated remarkable success in transforming young lives. We have already seen examples of how strategic philanthropic intervention can protect vulnerable youth. The Amico family used their Fidelity Charitable donor-advised fund to launch TeenEmbrace, a program supporting foster families of older youth that achieved a 94% placement stability rate in its first year. This model demonstrates how targeted philanthropy can maintain and even expand critical services when public funding is threatened. For philanthropists who have been waiting for a high-impact opportunity that addresses multiple social challenges simultaneously, extended foster care represents an ideal investment. These programs operate upstream, preventing costlier interventions later by supporting young people during a critical developmental period. When we keep a young person in extended care, we're not just providing housing and services—we're preventing homelessness, reducing criminal justice involvement, increasing educational attainment, and building pathways to economic self-sufficiency. For years, philanthropists have accumulated resources in donor-advised funds and endowments, building reserves for times of urgent need. That time has arrived. If there was ever a moment to deploy these philanthropic resources boldly and strategically, it is now. What is the purpose of a rainy-day fund if not for times like these? People have been storing up wealth, perhaps primarily for themselves rather than for giving to others. But today is the rainy day we've been anticipating. The purpose of storing up is to give MORE in times of need, not less. Unfortunately, First Place for Youth has already seen foundations start to tighten up, uncertain about their future giving levels. One foundation claims that "private foundations are not going to be able to close this gap if the government decides not to give as much." This reluctance is precisely what we must fight against. Foundations are already looking for reasons not to step up at the very moment when their leadership is most needed. We call on philanthropic leaders to: Research from the University of Chicago has demonstrated that California has become "the most generous state in terms of the constellation of things that it provides for young people" in extended foster care, with continuous legislative improvements each session. This didn't happen by accident—it resulted from years of advocacy, research, and public-private partnership. We cannot allow this progress to be reversed. The stakes could not be higher. As of May 2023, only 33 states and 7 tribes have tapped into federal funding to support foster youth after 18. As many as 75% of foster youth nationwide would benefit from extended foster care services. Many of their transitions to adulthood are premature which leads to poor outcomes and more critical funding. Without extended foster care, youth who have already experienced significant trauma face even greater challenges. The difference between a young person who exits care at 18 and one who receives support until 21 is profound—it can mean the difference between homelessness and stable housing, between unemployment and career pathways, between continuing cycles of poverty and building intergenerational wealth. This is not a moment for the weak at heart. While everyone is jostling and figuring out how to preserve their pennies, young people require crucial support. We need people to come off the sidelines, so to speak, and into the game—to get involved more than they ever have before. We want those with the means to store up rainy day funds to consider giving to others. The purpose of accumulating wealth should be to have the capacity to give more when times are tough, not to retreat from responsibility. We appreciate our philanthropic partners who've stepped up to stand with us right now, who've let us know we're not alone fighting to make a difference. They have continued to support organizations that bolster our communities, remaining steadfast in their missions to drive social equity and sustainable impact through leadership in both business and philanthropy. This is the rainy day we've been waiting for. It's time to open the philanthropic umbrellas like several of our philanthropic partners have already done. If we truly believe in the power of extended foster care to transform lives—and the evidence clearly shows it does—then we must act now to preserve these critical supports for our most vulnerable youth. The question for philanthropy is simple: If not now, when? If not for these young people, who have already overcome tremendous obstacles, then for whom have we been saving?
Forbes
02-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Youth Homelessness Crisis: The Urgent Need For Upstream Interventions
Written by Thomas Lee, CEO, First Place for Youth The United States is facing a critical challenge that demands immediate attention: a surge in homelessness, particularly among youth and families. Recent data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development paints a stark picture of this growing crisis. On a single night in January 2024, over 770,000 people were experiencing homelessness, marking an alarming 18% increase from the previous year. Even more concerning is the 33% jump in the number of unhoused children, reaching 150,000 in the same period. As the CEO of First Place for Youth, an organization dedicated to supporting foster youth in their transition to adulthood, I've witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of this crisis on one of our most vulnerable populations: older foster youth. A First Place for Youth program participant and his youth advocate meet in San Jose, CA. Photo by Robbie Sweeny Foster youth represent one of the most at-risk groups in our society when it comes to homelessness. A 2021 study by Chapin Hall revealed that by age 23, 25% of former foster youth will have experienced homelessness or resorted to couch surfing. Even more alarming, 59% will be living below the poverty line. These statistics underscore the critical importance of providing support during the transition to adulthood. The overall homelessness rate in the U.S. has reached 23 out of every 10,000 people. This number becomes even more significant when we consider the disproportionate impact on foster youth. At First Place for Youth, we've seen firsthand that targeted, upstream interventions can make a significant difference in preventing homelessness before it begins. Our flagship My First Place™ program provides a comprehensive approach to supporting foster youth ages 18-21, combining stable housing, education and employment support, and life skills training. In the fiscal year 2024, we served 1,496 youth across six California counties and through our affiliate partners in five other states. The results of our program speak volumes about the effectiveness of this approach: These outcomes demonstrate that with the right support, foster youth can overcome the odds and build successful, independent lives. The recent surge in family homelessness, which rose by nearly 40% from 2023 to 2024, further emphasizes the need for programs that support young adults in establishing stable households. Our focus on maintaining family size and promoting education and employment is crucial in breaking the intergenerational cycle of homelessness and poverty. By providing support to young adults as they transition into independence, we're not just helping individuals – we're potentially preventing future generations from experiencing homelessness. As we face this national crisis, it's clear that we need a multi-faceted approach to address homelessness. While immediate housing solutions are crucial, we must also invest in prevention strategies that target vulnerable populations like foster youth. Policymakers need to recognize the value of upstream interventions and allocate resources accordingly. This means not just funding emergency shelters and temporary housing, but also investing in programs that provide long-term support and skills development for at-risk youth. Community leaders can play a crucial role by fostering partnerships between organizations like First Place for Youth and local businesses, educational institutions, and other community resources. These partnerships can provide valuable opportunities for internships, mentorship, and skill development for foster youth. The private sector also has a significant part to play in addressing this crisis. Companies can contribute not just through financial support, but also by creating employment opportunities specifically targeted at foster youth and other at-risk populations. By providing stable employment and career development opportunities, businesses can help break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. The homelessness crisis, particularly among youth, is a complex problem that requires a coordinated and comprehensive response. As a society, we need to shift our focus from reactive measures to proactive, preventative strategies. I call on policymakers, community leaders, and fellow citizens to support organizations that are doing the vital upstream work to prevent homelessness. By investing in our youth today, we can build a stronger, more stable society for tomorrow. The homelessness crisis is daunting, but it is not insurmountable. With targeted interventions, comprehensive support, and a commitment to our most vulnerable youth, we can turn the tide and ensure that every young person has the opportunity to thrive in a stable, secure home. As we move forward, let's remember that every young person deserves a chance at a stable, successful future. By focusing on prevention and providing comprehensive support to our most vulnerable youth, we can make significant strides in addressing the homelessness crisis and building a more equitable society for all. Sources:
