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http://www.boyshopegirlshope.org/
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Boys Hope Girls Hope, National Office Charity Profile
In 1977, Father Paul Sheridan, SJ, an educator living and working in St. Louis, having seen too many young lives of promise stunted by their circumstances—shattered neighborhoods, broken families, overcrowded and
under-funded public schools—founded a program that keeps children of potential from slipping through the cracks. It both encourages and helps them to realize their promise.
Boys Hope Girls Hope fits a unique niche. It serves children with talent, ability and motivation whose circumstances do not allow them to be successful, and concentrates on the whole person—our scholars are challenged not only intellectually, but socially, emotionally, spiritually, and physically as well.
The program sets high expectations and standards, and, in its attempt to give scholars everything they need to succeed, is holistic in its scope. Its key components include providing a family-like environment in residential,
non-institutional homes; academic rigor in top-notch schools, both private and public; and support throughcollege. And it is multidenominational, serving children of all racial, religious, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.
In 1977, the first home opened in St. Louis. In 1982, the first scholar graduated from college. The program’ssuccess encouraged its spread—in quick succession, Boys Hope Girls Hope Affiliates opened in Chicago, NewOrleans, New York, Cincinnati, Detroit, and Cleveland. In the nineties, Boys Hope Girls Hope Affiliates opened in Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Baton Rouge, Southern California, and Denver.
In 1987, Boys Hope Girls Hope became an international organization when it opened an Affiliate in São Paulo, Brazil, where it now maintains six homes. Three years later, an Affiliate opened in Guatemala as well, where there are now four homes. Today, Boys Hope Girls Hope operates 40 homes in 16 U.S. cities and Latin America.
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Boys Hope Girls Hope, National Office Volunteer Information
Volunteer AmeriCorps Support Work With Us “Every time we are together, it is good.”
"At the end of our excursion,
I drop him off and when he gets
to the porch, he turns around
and waves good-bye," said Vince. "I like that."
"I am blessed that he trusts me with his intimate feelings." Lisa said. "He knows that they are honored and he is learning with each passing interaction not only how much I care about him, but how many others do as well."
Volunteers are essential to bringing HOPE — Homes, Opportunities, Parenting, Education — to Boys Hope Girls Hope scholars. Through positive interactions with caring adults, scholars see that they have value, that they are not alone to deal with the challenges they face and that it’s safe to place their trust in others. It can be a long process though, and it requires many helping hands.
Your involvement, be it once a week or once a month, inside or outside of the home, means a great deal to all of us. The following list provides some ideas as to how you might serve as a volunteer with Boys Hope Girls Hope (but don’t let us stifle you if you think of others!). Some may seem trivial, but to a child who has not known safety, stability or the attention of a caring adult, they make all the difference.
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Boys Hope Girls Hope, National Office
