We are Hope Ignites Chicago

Hope Ignites Chicago helps motivated high school students rise above disadvantaged backgrounds. Our goal is to graduate young people who are physically, emotionally, and academically prepared for post-secondary education and productive life, breaking barriers so they can become community-minded leaders.

Hope Ignites firmly believes that young people have the power to overcome adversity, realize their potential, and help transform our world. They create these successes when we remove obstacles, support and believe in them, and provide environments and opportunities that build on their strengths.

Hope Ignites Chicago is a proud member of the Hope Ignites Network. Our Network Headquarters, located in St. Louis, Missouri, connects, provides leadership to, and offers signature college-preparatory programming to 14 affiliates. Each affiliate is independently incorporated, governed by its own board of directors, and responsible for its own fundraising. Affiliation and services agreements link the Network to ensure mission and brand fidelity, quality operations, maximum functional capacity, and consistency in training, programmatic standards, and best practices.

OUR MISSION

To nurture and guide motivated young people in need to become well-educated, career-ready men and women for others.

OUR DNA

These are the fundamental and distinctive characteristics of our organization.

Academic Focus

We believe in the transformative power of education to develop lifelong learners.

Service and Community Engagement

We believe in the Jesuit-inspired, values-centered hallmark of building “persons for others.”

Family-like Settings to Create a Sense of Belonging

We believe youth derive their energy and sustenance from exposure to nurturing environments.

Long-Term and Comprehensive Commitment

We believe an enduring relationship with youth holds the most promise for attaining positive outcomes.

Faith-Based Values

We believe that a loving God cares about the life of every individual and we manifest this belief.

Voluntary Participant Commitment

We believe in the motivational power of self-selection into the Boys Hope Girls Hope program.

LOCAL IMPACT

Since 1979, Hope Ignites Chicago has served young people who want to go to college and create successful futures for themselves. Young scholars have joined our program to receive support on their journey to college and beyond. They seek the academic resources, extracurricular opportunities, experiences, leadership development, and mentor relationships we provide.

See how Hope Ignites is prioritizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

LEARN MORE

LEADERSHIP

The Hope Ignites Chicago Board of Directors and team leadership collaborate to ensure mission fidelity, financial stewardship and transparency. Together, this group of professionals is committed to continuous learning, effective programming and outcomes, and improvement through impact evaluation and innovation.

Karen Croteau

President

Jennifer Downs O'Shaughnessy

Vice President

Reanah Kellogg

Program Director

Lucy Burne

Marketing, Communications & Internship Manager

Dushawn Darling

Residential Counselor

Martine Georges-Powell

Residential Supervisor

Vernon Green

Coordinator of Scholar & Collegian Services

Michell-Lee Graham

Residential Counselor

Sharrell Hale

Residential Counselor

Kate Harken

Director of Philanthropy

Josh Helle

Residential Counselor

Rosa Jones

Residential Counselor

Veronica "Ronnie" Krueger

Data Systems Manager

Robbi Lustig

Senior Business Manager

Mary Osman

Business Manager

Bashia Powell

Residential Supervisor, Valenti House

Keyana Robinson

Marketing & Recruitment Associate

Mireya Leilani Sanders-Fast

Events & Volunteer Manager

Joshua Turner

Residential Counselor

Kameron Watkins

Residential Counselor

MEET OUR SCHOLARS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAIR

Michael P. Leahy

Leahy IFP

VICE CHAIR

Dave Bryla

OWS Foods

TREASURER

Jim Bertler

Logan Consulting

SECRETARY

John Zumski

Zurich, N.A.

Jamie Baisley

At Large
Frontage Search Partners

Daniel J. Baker

At Large
KeyBank Real Estate Capital

David Gibson

Nominations Chair
Comvest Partners

Michael P. Kailus

Housing Chair
AMCC, Inc.

John Lafferty

At Large
Corient

Chris Tarzon

At Large
Henricksen

Lucien Carter

JP Morgan Chase & Co.

Christopher Crawshaw

Advisory Research

Donald Doan

Gallert Hospitality Group

Mary Beth Fahrney

Civic Leader

Michallé Fain

KIPP One Primary

Rochelle Foster

Core Specialty Insurance Holdings, Inc.

Kate Gallagher

Wintrust

Krista Gallagher

Regina Dominican High School

John Hofmann

JP Morgan

Jack Hughes

NFP, an AON Company (formerly Thompson Flanagan)

Martha Idler

@properties

Peter Lee

Summit Trail Advisors

Robert Martin

CNA Insurance

Tom McBreen

Symphony Financial

Corinne E. McClintic

TrustConsult

Kristin Ostby de Barillas

Hope Ignites
Network Headquarters

Fr. Gregory J. Ostdiek, SJ

Loyola Academy

Timothy Reynolds

Clover Lane Partners

Jed Richard

Richard

George E. Sargent

Sargent Family Foundation

Andy Shackelford

Ernst & Young

Matt Singh

Jamar Slade

Windy City
Representatives

ADVISORY BOARD

John W. Amberg

Evanston Educational Consultants

William L. Bax

Pricewaterhouse Coopers, L.L.P.

J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Company

J. Jeffrey Geldermann

Civic Leader

Scott K. Heitmann

Wintrust Financial Corporation

Mike Hagen

Wintrust (Retired)

Michael S. Myers

Civic Leader

Thomas Morehead

Catalyst Inno Institute

J. Hobie Murnane

Northwestern Mutual Financial Network

Chris Schuba

Civic Leader

Peter Spingola

Chapman & Spingola, LLP

Joseph E. Valenti, Jr.

Lifetime Trustee Valenti Builders

STEWARDSHIP

We pledge to ensure your investment has the impact that it merits. Hope Ignites continues to enhance our Performance Management Tool, utilizing peer accountability and support across our sixteen affiliates and Headquarters.

This consistent evaluation allows us to assess our data-centric, outcomes-oriented programming. Our ability to generate real-time data gives us the opportunity to provide maximum transparency to our stakeholders.

View our financial information and our Annual Report by clicking the links below.

Additionally, Hope Ignites adheres to AFP’s Donor Bill of Rights.

Hope Ignites and all 14 affiliates undergo an annual audit. This transparency enables us to demonstrate our sound stewardship of the resources invested by our generous donors.

990s

2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020

AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FY2024 | FY2023 | FY2022 | FY2021 | FY2020

HISTORY

Hope Ignites was founded in 1977 in St. Louis, Missouri by Rev. Paul Sheridan, SJ. Since that time, the program has been replicated across the US and in Latin America. Below are key highlights from our affiliate’s history.

1979

Volunteer board developed a Jesuit Program for Living and Learning Incorporated in Illinois.

1980

Home location identified, zoning approved by the city of Evanston, and home is purchased.

1981

First house parents hired and scholars enter the program.

1982

Second home is purchased in Evanston.

1984

The Women’s Board is founded.

1985

First scholars enter college.

1989

The first alumnus becomes a college graduate.

1990

From this year onward, all graduates of the program are accepted into 4-year colleges and universities.

1991

The organization was awarded the first Northwestern University Evans Scholarship.

1993

The program mission was altered to focus on a leadership development model.

1994

Board commits to Girls Home in Chicago.

1995

Board authorizes name change and 6 months later, the first Girls Hope Scholars enter the program at a temporary facility.

1996

Girls Hope permanent home opened in Evanston.

1998

The Junior Board is founded.

2004

Women’s Board sets a fundraising record, and National Headquarters adopts a new mission and values statement.

2006

Began 2006-2007 school year with full houses and staff.

2007

Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois achieves the highest GPA of any affiliate in the country.

2009

First Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois Alumnus joins the Junior Board.

2012

Women’s Board Dinner Dance sets a new fundraising record.

2025

The organization officially changes its name to Hope Ignites Chicago.