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.
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
Matthew Cortecero
Residential Counselor
Martine Georges-Powell
Residential Counselor, Healy House
Michell-Lee Graham
Residential Counselor
Vernon Green
Coordinator of Scholar & Collegian Services
Sharrell Hale
Residential Counselor
Kate Harken
Director of Philanthropy
Josh Helle
Residential Counselor
Madeline Howard
Residential Counselor
Rosa Jones
Residential Counselor
Veronica "Ronnie" Krueger
Data Systems Manager
Robbi Lustig
Business Manager
Bashia Powell
Residential Supervisor, Valenti House
Mireya Leilani Sanders-Fast
Events & Volunteer Manager
Joshua Turner
Residential Counselor
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
Christine Hjorth
At Large
DePaul University
Michael P. Kailus
Housing Chair
AMCC, Inc.
John Lafferty
At Large
Corient
Chris Tarzon
At Large
Savills Inc
Amy Ward
At Large
Civic Leader
David Blocker
Ironshore
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
Hope Ignites
Network Headquarters
Timothy Reynolds
Clover Lane Partners
Jed Richard
Richard
George E. Sargent
Sargent Family Foundation
Andrew Shackelford
Ernst & Young
Matt Singh
META
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
Mike Hagen
Wintrust (Retired)
F. James Heider
Civic Leader
Scott K. Heitmann
Wintrust Financial Corporation
Michael S. Meyers
Civic Leader
Thomas Morehead
Catalyst Inno Institute
Dave Morrison
William Blair (Retired)
J. Hobie Murnane
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network
Chris Schuba
Civic Leader
Peter Spingola
Chapman & Spingola, LLP
Joseph E. Valenti, Jr.
Lifetime Trustee Valenti Builders
JUNIOR BOARD
Julia Luka
Faith Murphy
Jack Penn
Kiley Reardon
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.
HERE IS HOW YOU CAN PROVIDE HOPE
HERE IS HOW YOU CAN PROVIDE HOPE