Fall 2024
Dear Friend of Boys Hope Girls Hope,
Cristopher ready for marching band!
Happy Fall! There is so much good news to share!
School is in full swing at St. A’s, Loyola Academy, and Regina Dominican High School. We’ve welcomed eight new Scholars and we have so many ways you can support the life-changing opportunities BHGH offers!
In June, the Scholars settled into our homes and started summer school, while enjoying weekly sailing lessons and cookouts at Sheridan Shores and an MLB-sponsored beach extravaganza. Thank you to Michelle and Phil Andrew and Amy O’Keefe for teaching water safety! This fall, you can find our St.A’s Scholars playing volleyball and AYSO soccer; our LA Scholars playing soccer and football, and participating in crew and marching band; and our RDHS Scholars practicing for the musical as well as on the volleyball, track, and flag football teams. They are also getting tutoring, therapy, orthodontics, and having great conversations around the dinner table!
St. A’s 7th-grader Venessa is our newest and youngest Scholar!
She was living with her widowed mother on the far South Side of Chicago when she and her older sister applied to BHGH. Her older brother was already a Scholar and she really liked how “he changed in his behavior and respect for our mom” after entering BHGH. She was worried about leaving her mom but now she shares, “I not only like BHGH, but I love it! I love the chances and opportunities I am given. For example, this summer I was able to attend Loyola Academy summer school and learn grammar, speaking, and writing proper essays and paragraphs. I even got pulled by a jet ski and dodged heavy waves in weekly sailing classes. I got the hang of it and am now able to conquer the waves! This is all new to me and in my previous life I was not able to do such things.”
Sibling Scholars Ella and Venessa enjoying a beach day!
This appreciation is echoed by Drako, a new LA freshman. He likes, “the friends I make, the new experiences and opportunities I get, and the mission” to help him get to and through college. Access to great schools and new experiences are cornerstones of the BHGH program and we hope you’ll be inspired to keep our Scholars in the pool, on the lake, competing in sports, processing in therapy, learning in tutoring, performing in music and plays, contributing through community service, and building their skills for college success!
After high school graduation, the opportunities continue. Highlights from our Collegians’ summers included Jaylen and Caleb rotating through the functions at Leahy-IFP; Kaden studying for his real estate license and working at Avalon; Maamé externing for a federal district judge; and Haryu caddying at Westmoreland Country Club as part of the Evans Scholars program. Marvin burned the midnight oil in investment banking in NYC and will start full-time at Société Générale upon graduation this spring! He is so grateful for the doors opened to him and he is making the most of opportunities BHGH’s community of supporters makes possible! Your contributions make a world of difference to our Scholars and Collegians!
Sibling Scholars Drako & Ophelia in the LA pool!
In addition to direct financial support, BHGH is a great place to invest your time and talent. “Friends of BHGH” can contribute in personal and flexible ways including mentoring, birthday dinners, homecoming dresses, holiday decorating, maintenance, career advice, and more!
Please consider a life-changing gift to BHGH to continue to provide hope, access, opportunity, adventure, and community for our Scholars!!!
We are grateful to have you in the BHGH family!
Together in hope,
Karen P. Croteau
President
Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois