All children deserve resources to develop to their full potential, but not all children receive them—particularly in Chicago’s underserved communities.
Enter Boys Hope Girls Hope (BHGH), which supports motivated students with strong academic potential. BHGH gives scholarships so these academically-gifted young teens can attend outstanding private high schools. They also provide mentors and other support to youth who demonstrate talent and drive. This assistance not only changes these students high school experience, but it is also the key to college graduation and the students’ making meaningful contributions to society.
From poverty and abuse to scholar athlete
Michael was the oldest of four children being raised in poverty by a struggling single mother, while his father served a long prison sentence. Thanks to a BHGH scholarship, Michael moved to a loving, supportive residential facility and attended Loyola Academy, where he played varsity sports, maintained an academic average above 85 percent, engaged in substantial community service and nurtured a strong spiritual life.
Michael is now a scholarship student and walk-on varsity wrestler at the University of Wisconsin. Even better, his two younger brothers inspired by Michael’s example are pursuing similar opportunities. His father, now released from prison, proudly attends Michael’s wrestling matches.
Contrast this with the path Michael’s life could have taken without BHGH, and it’s easy to understand that BHGH is a great investment not just for the individual scholars but for society at large.
Investing in education instead of prison
Because of tuition breaks and collaboration with other organizations, each scholar costs BHGH approximately $150,000 for 4 years or $37,500 per year. Vera Institute For Justice recently reported that each inmate in the Illinois prison system costs taxpayers an average of $38,268.
The choice becomes: invest $37,500 for four years to develop “the whole person: intellectual, spiritual, physical, and social” as BHGH describes it’s holistic approach, or spend more than that to incarcerate individuals without providing them adequate education and other training to make a meaningfully contribution to society.
A single vision becomes an international success
Founded originally for boys in 1977 by a Jesuit priest in Saint Louis, BHGH has grown into an international organization. The local chapter—based at Loyola Academy—also sends scholars to Regina Dominican High School and Saint Athanasius School. “All scholars live in three different Evanston homes in family like settings, with mentors, tutors and expectations.” Executive Director Peter Beale-Delvecchio explains. “They are held to the highest standards.”
Find more information in their inspirational video.
This year’s fundraiser, “Evening of Hope: The Sounds of Motown,” will be at the Four Seasons Hotel on February 23. Make It Better is proud to be the Media Sponsor.
