PROGRAM
They have the ability.
We supply the opportunity.
Boys Hope Girls Hope scholars apply for a spot in the program and come to us with a hunger to learn, grow, and BE the hope. Some require a place to live and some don’t, but all need access to our long-term support, a quality education, holistic programming, a dynamic environment with other focused young people, and other resources necessary to thrive.
WE’RE BEYOND A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION.
WE TAKE A LONG-TERM AND COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH.
WHO WE SERVE
We serve young people with recognizable grit and determination needing access and opportunity. Need includes a variety of tough situations such as poverty, family stress, parent/guardian illness, neighborhood violence or underperforming schools—most anything that would create significant barriers to a child reaching his or her full potential.
- Young people ages 10-14 at admission through college graduation
- Capable of rigorous academic college-preparatory work
- Perform at or above grade level
- Demonstrate integrity and leadership potential
- Need for a long-term, value-centered, nurturing setting
- Volunteers for the program, understanding and accepting expectations
- Relates positively to peers and adults
- Has a family, parent, or guardian that is supportive of the decision to join, and willing to help their scholar meet program expectations
OUR PROGRAMMING
Long-Term
Boys Hope Girls Hope Scholars begin their journey with us in middle school and stay with us through high school, college, and career launch. Whether in our Academy or Residential pathway, Scholars move along together as we channel their energy, and leverage their talents, strengths, and passions into an individual plan that helps them reach their full potential.
Empowered Learning
Boys Hope Girls Hope scholars get ongoing academic support such as tutoring and college preparatory coaching. Residential scholars receive an academic scholarship, affording them an opportunity to get a first-class education at one of our partner schools.
Life Preparedness
In addition to help with their academics, all scholars learn basic skills they need to live happy, productive lives, such as budgeting, communication skills, household chores, planning for the future, following a recipe, travel basics, and opening a bank account.
Personal Development
Boys Hope Girls Hope programming includes social & emotional awareness and physical activities that promote all-around health and well-being. Scholars are encouraged to explore their own spirituality as a critical part of living a healthy, well-adjusted life. All Scholars are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities that feed their purpose and passion.
Leadership & Service
Boys Hope Girls Hope Scholars are taught to become people for others—to live with purpose and give back to others in need. This is reinforced through community service; dialogue about important global and local issues; and the development of their own passions for social justice and being a change maker in their family and community.
College & Career Readiness
Our career preparation and leadership programming helps scholars identify their strengths and talents and what future careers they are interested in. Then, with mentoring, setting educational goals, planning, assistance with jobs and internships, as well as mock interviews and other experiential opportunities, we help get them there. Boys Hope Girls Hope remains a network of support for our Alumni.
Residential
Round-the-clock, out-of-home placement providing support in a dynamic, nurturing environment where coaching and college-preparatory educational experiences are available. Holistic support for scholars who will thrive best in a different environment.
Academy
Year-round, out-of-school support, mentoring, and college-preparatory educational experiences for scholars who can live at home but require additional resources.
Collegian & Alumni
We not only prepare our scholars for aspects and challenges of the college experience but continue to provide academic, social, emotional and financial support through college graduation and into their first career.
SCHOLARS
At Home
Our Residential program functions as a loving and nurturing family atmosphere, a dynamic environment with a sense of belonging, central to healthy adolescent development.
Our three residences accommodate up to 16 scholars, who are cared for by live-in, round-the-clock professional Residential Counselors.
At School
Scholars are enrolled in top-rated college-preparatory schools for middle and high school. We’re grateful for our long-term partnerships with Baltimore Collegiate, Concordia Preparatory, Cristo Rey Jesuit, Archbishop Curley, Loyola Blakefield, McDonogh, Saint Ignatius Loyola, and Sister Academy of Baltimore schools.
After School
Scholars explore a variety of interests, including extracurricular activities in and out of school, and receive access to a broad spectrum of services, like mentoring, tutoring, and therapy. They share chores, do homework together, eat, and grow up together. Older scholars hold their first job and save for college, cars, or other needs. Some scholars even start their own businesses. They also have lots of fun!
Beyond
During weekends and in the summer months, scholars embark on an exploration of college and career options, university visits, summer camps, personal development, and goal setting—activities designed to help them discover themselves and the world around them. They go on scheduled home visits to spend time with family and friends. They engage in community service learning projects and reflection that teach them the value of living a life committed to serving others. They also attend games, performances, and events, and just do things they enjoy.
COLLEGE & CAREER
Collegians
We have made a long-term commitment, from middle school through college and career launch. Graduating high school is not the end of your journey with Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois.
What We Provide
We heavily support our Collegians with:
- Collegian visits by staff
- Dorm set up
- Social-emotional resources
- Financial support
and more!
Scholarships
Collegians enrolled in 15 or more credit hours and maintaining specific GPA requirements may apply for scholarship funds each semester from Boys Hope Girls Hope through college degree completion (in five years or less). Beyond this scholarship, the Boys Hope Girls Hope Network partners with a number of colleges and universities to offer additional scholarship opportunities.
Internships and Career Launch
Boys Hope Girls Hope keeps collegians connected, supported, and in the know of many internship opportunities secured through local and Network partnerships. These have led to full-time positions after graduation. Boys Hope Girls Hope supports collegians in their first career launch and offers a Network of support for our alumni!
See how Boys Hope Girls Hope is prioritizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
My Road
My Road is Boys Hope Girls Hope’s network-wide innovative online learning experience which consists of a journey of activities, assessments, and benchmarks that ensure scholars are developing academically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually in preparation for college, career, and life.
Alumni Community
Graduates of Boys Hope Girls Hope programs across the Network become members of the Alumni Association, a growing body of professionals. Our alumni are leaders, changemakers, and people for others who give back to their families, local communities, and younger generations of scholars.
The Boys Hope Girls Hope Network
There’s power in numbers. As a part of the Boys Hope Girls Hope Network, our scholars benefit from programming, resources, partnerships, research, scholarship funds, and shared best practices. Our program uniquely offers a combination of deep local impact and the benefit of diverse international perspectives and interactions. Our scholars, collegians, alumni, and team members come together with other impact-driven individuals, maximizing opportunities to share, support, solve problems, and serve.
Our Network includes Boys Hope Girls Hope Network Headquarters and affiliates across the U.S. and Latin America. All Boys Hope Girls Hope affiliates ascribe to the same research-supported Program Model and Theory of Change. We’re proud of the support, and connections we receive from our Network!
HERE IS HOW YOU CAN PROVIDE HOPE
HERE IS HOW YOU CAN PROVIDE HOPE