We are Boys Hope Girls Hope of St. Louis

Boys Hope Girls Hope of St. Louis helps motivated middle and 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.

Boys Hope Girls Hope of St. Louis 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.

Boys Hope Girls Hope of St. Louis is a proud member of the Boys Hope Girls Hope Network. Our Network Headquarters, located in St. Louis, Missouri, connects, provides leadership to, and offers signature college-preparatory programming to affiliates across the nation, Mexico, and Guatemala. 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 1977, Boys Hope Girls Hope of St. Louis has been helping scholars rise up from disadvantaged backgrounds and strive for more. Boys Hope Girls Hope of St. Louis serves youth who want to go to college and create successful futures for themselves. Our scholars have joined our program to receive support on their journey to college and beyond.

Our story doesn’t end with our outcome numbers, though they are phenomenal. There isn’t a number that is large enough to represent the character, ambition, courage and integrity of our young men and women.

See how Boys Hope Girls Hope is prioritizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

HISTORY

1977

Boys Hope Girls Hope Founded

Rev. Paul Sheridan, SJ, a Jesuit priest, and the first board of directors welcomed the inaugural class of scholars into its first residential site for eight boys in St. Louis, Missouri, known as "The Jesuit Program of Living and Learning."
1993

Began Serving Girls

A home for girls is launched in the Kirkwood neighborhood.
1998

Growing

The boy's home is moved to the Maryville University Campus, where we could serve more scholars.
2011

Hope Prep Academy

Launching in Ferguson/Florissant School District, the academy pathway is introduced in order to provide holistic programming and service to young people who live at home.
2016

Hope Builds

The office, boys', and girls' houses move to a consolidated campus in the Maplewood/Richmond Heights neighborhood.
2017

40th Anniversary

Boys Hope Girls Hope of St. Louis has been serving youth in the community for 40 years!
2021

Academy Pathway Relaunch

The afterschool Hope Prep Academy is relaunched on the new, consolidated campus site.

LEADERSHIP

Boys Hope Girls Hope of St. Louis is made up of incredible people. Our leadership team and Board of Directors ensure mission fidelity, financial stewardship, and transparency. We are committed to continuous learning, effective programming, diversity, inclusion, and improvement through impact evaluation and innovation.

Cassandra Sissom, LPC

Cassandra Sissom, LPC

Executive Director

Jan Wacker

Jan Wacker

Major Gifts Manager

Katie Mancuso

Katie Mancuso

Program Director

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT
Andrea Barry
Deloitte 

VICE PRESIDENT
Brian Branca
Dot Family Holidings

TREASURER
Mark F. Winker
UMB
 

Doug Bauche
Enterprise Bank & Trust 

Jamie Bruce
United Healthcare Community Plan of Missouri 

Adam Castellano
RubinBrown, LLP 

Irasa Downing
Edward Jones 

Lisa A. Flavin
Emerson 

Tom Harmon
Commerce Bank

James C. Hill, Jr.
EY

 

J. Michael Keller
Independence Center (retired)

Karen Loiterstein
TierPoint, LLC

Shelly McNutt
Community Volunteer 

Kristin Morris
Savoy Properties 

Brandan P. Mueller
Husch Blackwell 

Jennifer A. Noakes
Granules Consumer Health, Inc.

Kristin Ostby de Barillas
BHGH Network Headquarters

Barbara Palmer
Community Volunteer 

Jake Schlater
Dot Foods 

Brian Wellinghoff
Barry-Wehmiller 

ASSOCIATE BOARD
CO-PRESIDENTS

Patrick Bishop

EY

Katelyn Seeman
EY