Spring 2025
Dear Friends of Hope Ignites Chicago,
Spring is here with summer on its heels! We are not only in full graduation mode, but we are also engaged in several bold initiatives. We have an important update on one initiative, and most importantly, exciting news about our graduating Scholars and Collegians!!!
Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois is now HOPE IGNITES CHICAGO!
Our new name, Hope Ignites Chicago, reflects both who we are and who we aspire to be. It honors our long-standing mission to nurture potential, and it opens the door to an even bolder future—one where more young people are empowered to rise, thrive, and lead.
For years, we’ve frequently been mistaken for other youth-serving organizations, leading to confusion among donors, corporate sponsors, and volunteers—and even misdirected donations. As we continue to grow, we need a name that clearly differentiates us and reflects our unique mission. Our former name failed to reflect the transformation our scholars experience as they grow into collegians and young professionals. Our new name, Hope Ignites, retains the powerful word “Hope”—a priority for our Scholars—and introduces a sense of action, momentum, and impact. This change better communicates our work in education, mentoring, and holistic youth development, and it honors the full journey of those we serve.
Hope Ignites Chicago continues to provide the same life-changing program facets you’ve supported, including family-style homes, year-round programming, social-emotional support, college and career preparation, and leadership development.
Your support has helped produce extraordinary results:
· 100% of our Scholars graduate high school and go on to college
· 75% graduate college — far outpacing national averages
· Many alumni return as mentors, staff members, and board leader
This spring, we also had both exciting graduations and important steps toward graduation! Sanchazz graduated from Loyola Academy! His brother, Santonio (an alumnus of our program), was there to present him with his diploma! This fall, Sanchazz matriculates to University of Illinois Chicago with plans to major in International Business!
On the Collegian front, Marvin Gibson is graduating from DePaul University with a degree in Finance on June 15th! Marvin is heading to New York City after graduation to begin his career as an investment banker with Société Générale!
Sanchazz
Marvin
Since one degree is not always enough, Daniel McGhee just graduated with his Master’s in Business Data Analytics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign!
We are also excited that Jonathan Taylor completed his CNA program at Illinois Central College. Next stop will be pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Nursing!
And finally, Kam’Ryn Penix completed her associate degree at the Aruppe College of Loyola University and is transferring to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to complete her bachelor’s degree! We are so proud of all our Scholars, Collegians, and graduates!!!
Hope is more than our name—it’s our promise. With your continued partnership, we can ignite that spark in even more young people.
Hope Ignites cannot do this life changing work without your help. Please consider making a generous gift toward lovingly prepared food, a nurturing home, college-prep and college education and so much more for our Scholars!
We are grateful to have you in the Hope Ignites family!
Together in hope,
Karen P. Croteau
President
Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois