First-Ever Home

First-Ever Home: Empowering Youth Through Art

A community art initiative to collect and distribute donated art to decorate and bring life into the first-ever homes of former foster youth and unhoused youth in Los Angeles.

About First-Ever Home

First-Ever Home transforms empty spaces into warm, welcoming homes for former foster youth and unhoused youth in Los Angeles. Through the power of donated art, we aim to create homes that inspire hope, dignity, and a sense of belonging. Join us in making a difference, one piece of art at a time.

About Fresh Paint

Fresh Paint is an event designed for youth to explore diverse cultures through the art of painting. The program combines creativity, community, and cultural learning in an environment filled with food, music, and movies.

Event Features

Fresh Paint offers themed painting events that highlight different cultures from around the world. Each event features:

A guided painting experience inspired by a specific cultural theme.
A curated playlist of music from the featured culture.
A food menu reflecting traditional dishes from the region.
A short film related to the culture being explored.

Shannon Scates

Shannon Scates was born in Washington, D.C., in 1986, and raised in Prince George’s (P.G.) County, Maryland. She has always found the ability to create something very magical. Her art is vibrant, and her use of bright colors is meant to be a visual celebration intended to uplift the viewer. She “speaks life through art.”

Shannon also recognizes the importance of telling our stories. She likes to accompany each piece with its own narrative, as she believes our stories are what facilitate connection, understanding and most important, love. She intends to use her creative abilities to heal and inspire. She also enjoys using her art to give back through donations to a number of fundraisers and art auctions.