Pittsburgh Archives - Hope Ignites Network

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

Where we Serve
A key differentiator of Hope Ignites is our strong Network, which ensures high standards, similar experiences, and better outcomes for every young person, regardless of location. Each affiliate uses the proven Hope Ignites program model, which may include Residential homes, Academy locations, or a combination of both pathways. We collaborate and innovate together to fulfill our mission with excellence, and to chart a vision for the future.

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Hope Ignites All

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Our Work
1,300
current number served across the network

8 in 10
of our collegians are the first in their families to attend college – paving the way for those who follow

98%
of high school graduates immediately enter college

92%
persistance from freshman to sophomore year
What We Do

Who We Serve

How We Help

Network Programming & Experiences

Our Standards

Refer A Young Person
Impact
News & Stories
From videos, blogs, and publications to new clippings, stay informed on what’s happening with Hope Ignites

Building a Legacy of Mentorship
Jenny (Jennifer) StarkeyFebruary 25, 2026
This Black History Month, Hope Ignites highlighted mentors across our Network, who invest their time, wisdom, and experience in the next generation. Though every mentor has a [...]

From Haiti to New York: How Siblings Sophonie and Godson Found Opportunity Through Hope Ignites
Martin TotlandFebruary 5, 2026
“They wanted us to have the opportunities even if that meant we had to grow up somewhere else.” When siblings Sophonie and Godson Blaise arrived [...]

From Scholar to Board Member: Stephanie Gonzalez’s Story
Martin TotlandJanuary 21, 2026
When Stephanie Gonzalez was twelve, she was already taking on more than most kids her age. “I told them I wanted to go to a private high [...]

Hope Ignites Leadership Gathering 2026
Jenny (Jennifer) StarkeyJanuary 9, 2026
2026 LEADERSHIP GATHERING Join colleagues from across the Hope Ignites Network to celebrate our work and success. [...]

Guate-Maya Immersion 2026 | Registration Information
Jenny (Jennifer) StarkeyDecember 10, 2025
Applications are now closed. Apply to be selected for this 10-day service learning and cultural immersion experience for Hope Ignites Scholars and affiliate team members in the [...]

Envision U | Summer 2026
James WilliamsDecember 2, 2025
2026 EnvisionU | IN NEW YORK CITY Rising senior scholars coming together for team-building activities, reflection, and exploring college options with our partner schools [...]

Yearbook 2025
Jenny (Jennifer) StarkeyNovember 19, 2025
Hope Ignites is proud to share our 2025 Yearbook, featuring 109 high school graduates and 61 college graduates who completed their four-year degrees across our Network. [...]

A Season of Hope, a Future of Possibility
Jenny (Jennifer) StarkeyNovember 19, 2025
Give the gift of hope As the year ends, we’re reflecting on the incredible potential we see every day in our scholars, and how they turn dreams into reality through support, encouragement, and opportunity. This year, we [...]

Medan Mamo’s Path to College and Career
Martin TotlandNovember 19, 2025
“It was the first time anyone had made that kind of promise. It gave me confidence I didn’t have before.” When Medan Mamo was just [...]

Make 2025 Your Year of Impact
Jenny (Jennifer) StarkeyNovember 18, 2025
Tax-smart giving before the rules change If you’ve been thinking about a meaningful gift to Hope Ignites or one of our local affiliates, 2025 is a uniquely [...]

“Do It Scared”: Alejandra Aquino on Overcoming Fear and Making the Most of It
Martin TotlandNovember 14, 2025
“I was relieved to have stability. It felt like I could finally be myself.” When Alejandra Aquino looks back at her childhood, she remembers survival. Born in [...]

From Katrina’s Shadow to Conserving Louisiana’s Waters: Holly and Glenn Fraychineaud’s Story
Martin TotlandNovember 5, 2025
“I realized recently that I’ve only lived with my actual parents for maybe four or five years of my life. That was just our normal after Katrina.” [...]
On Young People

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Work With Us
See our featured open positions across the network:

Position Opening: End User Support Specialist, Network Headquarters
Jenny (Jennifer) StarkeyMarch 26, 2026
Mission To nurture and guide motivated young people in need to become well-educated, career-ready men and women for others. About Us Hope Ignites [...]

Position Opening: Executive Director, New Orleans
Jenny (Jennifer) StarkeyAugust 6, 2025
About Hope Ignites Since 1980, Hope Ignites (formerly Boys Hope Girls Hope) New Orleans has been helping motivated young people rise above disadvantaged backgrounds [...]

Position Opening: Development Director, Hope Ignites New York
Jenny (Jennifer) StarkeyJuly 3, 2025
Mission To nurture and guide motivated young people in need to become well-educated, career-ready men and women for others. About Us Hope Ignites [...]

Position Opening: Director of Donor Relations and Communications | New York
Alyson MarinMarch 22, 2024
Boys Hope Girls Hope of New York was formally incorporated in 1979. For more than 40 years, the organization has been expanding from a single home in [...]
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Devoted Servant Leader Retires from Boys Hope Girls Hope
Gallery
Devoted Servant Leader Retires from Boys Hope Girls Hope

Affiliates, Culture, Pittsburgh, Team, Uncategorized

Devoted Servant Leader Retires from Boys Hope Girls Hope

One of the most amazing things about Boys [...]

By |2026-01-27T13:35:45-06:00July 28, 2021|Affiliates, Culture, Pittsburgh, Team, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Devoted Servant Leader Retires from Boys Hope Girls Hope

Reflecting On This Year’s Virtual Excellence Awards
Gallery
Reflecting On This Year’s Virtual Excellence Awards

Alumni, Culture, Detroit, Events, New York, Partnership, Pittsburgh

Reflecting On This Year’s Virtual Excellence Awards

I often say Boys Hope Girls Hope is [...]

By Kristin Ostby|2026-01-27T15:41:22-06:00October 8, 2020|Alumni, Culture, Detroit, Events, New York, Partnership, Pittsburgh|Comments Off on Reflecting On This Year’s Virtual Excellence Awards

Graduate Stories of Hope | Aryanna Arrington
Gallery
Graduate Stories of Hope | Aryanna Arrington

Alumni, Collegian, Pittsburgh

Graduate Stories of Hope | Aryanna Arrington

Aryanna said joining the program was “an opportunity [...]

By Kristin Ostby|2026-01-27T16:19:29-06:00June 30, 2020|Alumni, Collegian, Pittsburgh|0 Comments

Anissa’s Story
Gallery
Anissa’s Story

Alumni, Pittsburgh, Share Your Story

Anissa’s Story

“I was in 6th grade when I was [...]

By |2026-01-28T12:01:42-06:00January 9, 2019|Alumni, Pittsburgh, Share Your Story|0 Comments

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

EIN: 51-0182614

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Go to Top

Mission

Where we Serve

1,300

8 in 10

98%

92%

News & Stories

Building a Legacy of Mentorship

From Haiti to New York: How Siblings Sophonie and Godson Found Opportunity Through Hope Ignites

From Scholar to Board Member: Stephanie Gonzalez’s Story

Hope Ignites Leadership Gathering 2026

Guate-Maya Immersion 2026 | Registration Information

Envision U | Summer 2026

Yearbook 2025

A Season of Hope, a Future of Possibility

Medan Mamo’s Path to College and Career

Make 2025 Your Year of Impact

“Do It Scared”: Alejandra Aquino on Overcoming Fear and Making the Most of It

From Katrina’s Shadow to Conserving Louisiana’s Waters: Holly and Glenn Fraychineaud’s Story

Work With Us

Position Opening: End User Support Specialist, Network Headquarters

Position Opening: Executive Director, New Orleans

Position Opening: Development Director, Hope Ignites New York

Position Opening: Director of Donor Relations and Communications | New York