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.

Baltimore

Chicago

Cincinnati

Colorado

Detroit

Guatemala

Mexico

New Orleans

New York

Northeastern Ohio

Phoenix

Pittsburgh

Southern California

St. Louis
Team

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Hope Ignites All

Our Future

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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

A Week of Discovery: Silicon Valley STEAM + Business Camp 2026
Martin TotlandJuly 29, 2026
The core of the Silicon Valley STEAM + Business Camp is career exploration. This summer, a group of 33 scholars, and nine alumni and collegians [...]

Built by Hand: How Bishop Jennings Is Carrying His Family’s Trade Into a New Generation
Martin TotlandJuly 28, 2026
"If you can survive deployment with the military, you can literally do anything." Bishop Jennings comes from a long line of people who build things [...]

The 2026 Guate-Maya Service and Immersion Experience
Martin TotlandJuly 24, 2026
Over ten days, scholars stepped outside their comfort zones and adapted to a different culture with open minds. This summer, a group of scholars from [...]

A Week of Service, Sightseeing, and College Dreams: Envision U 2026
Martin TotlandJuly 10, 2026
Envision U exists to help young people see their futures more clearly, and to walk toward them with confidence. Eighty-three young people from across the [...]

A Home Built on Hope: How Fátima Sazo Went from Scholar to Fundraiser
Martin TotlandJune 17, 2026
"Mom said, 'Remember, when you start something, you need to finish it.'" For years, Fatima Sazo began every month the same way. She collected her [...]

Igniting Potential in Las Vegas: Reflections from the For All Summit
Martin TotlandMay 12, 2026
"Culture is not a perk or a talking point — it's the actual foundation." Recently, Dana Nichols and Mel Burden from Network Headquarters joined five [...]

How Santonio Cathery Found Success at Hope Ignites Chicago
Martin TotlandMay 6, 2026
"You are your brother and your sister's keeper." Santonio Cathery spent his childhood navigating a two-hour-each-direction daily commute, relying on two trains and two buses [...]

Advancements in Hope 2026
Jenny (Jennifer) StarkeyMay 5, 2026
This year’s Advancements in Hope showcases the momentum behind our mission, from affiliate growth to expanded STEM pathways for scholars. Inside, you’ll learn more about the donors, staff, and [...]

Serena Cooper’s Story Comes Full Circle
Martin TotlandMay 5, 2026
“My mom told me this is an amazing opportunity." Serena Cooper was waiting for an order of crab legs to ease her stress about college [...]

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 [...]
On Young People

On Communities

The Data

Our Progress
Get Involved
Work With Us
See our featured open positions across the network:

Position Opening: Director of Donor Engagement, Hope Ignites New York
Jenny (Jennifer) StarkeyAugust 5, 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: Salesforce Platform Administrator, Network Headquarters
Jenny (Jennifer) StarkeyJuly 14, 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: Director of Philanthropy, Hope Ignites Chicago
Jenny (Jennifer) StarkeyJune 24, 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: Director of Development, New Orleans
Jenny (Jennifer) StarkeyJune 23, 2026
Mission To nurture and guide motivated young people in need to become well-educated, career-ready men and women for others. About Us Since 1980, [...]
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Hope Journals

Stay up to date with Hope Ignites!

Hope Journals: Jenny’s Story
Published On: May 14, 2020
Read More
Perry’s Story
Published On: May 5, 2020
Read More

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

A Week of Discovery: Silicon Valley STEAM + Business Camp 2026

Built by Hand: How Bishop Jennings Is Carrying His Family’s Trade Into a New Generation

The 2026 Guate-Maya Service and Immersion Experience

A Week of Service, Sightseeing, and College Dreams: Envision U 2026

A Home Built on Hope: How Fátima Sazo Went from Scholar to Fundraiser

Igniting Potential in Las Vegas: Reflections from the For All Summit

How Santonio Cathery Found Success at Hope Ignites Chicago

Advancements in Hope 2026

Serena Cooper’s Story Comes Full Circle

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

Work With Us

Position Opening: Director of Donor Engagement, Hope Ignites New York

Position Opening: Salesforce Platform Administrator, Network Headquarters

Position Opening: Director of Philanthropy, Hope Ignites Chicago

Position Opening: Director of Development, New Orleans

Hope Journals

Hope Journals: Jenny’s Story

Perry’s Story