Since 1977, Hope Ignites St. Louis (formerly Boys Hope Girls Hope St. Louis) has been helping academically motivated middle and high school students rise above disadvantaged backgrounds and achieve success in college and beyond. Our goal is to graduate young people who are physically, emotionally, and academically prepared for post-secondary education and a productive life, breaking the cycle of poverty. We provide the academic resources, extracurricular opportunities, and mentoring relationships they need to achieve their goals. Your donations help us continue to ignite the HOPE inside each of our scholars.
Our mission is delivered through both Residential and Academy programming, as well as continued support through our Collegian program after scholars graduate from high school.
In Residential, scholars live year-round on our campus in Richmond Heights, which consists of a boys’ home and girls’ home, and receive:
- Long-term, comprehensive support
- Family-style environment from middle through high school
- Academic focused, with tutors, mentors, and supportive staff
- Scholarships/access to college prep education
- Weekly wellness programming
- Life skills, real-world experiences
In our Academy program, scholars participate in unique after-school programming 4 days a week, including:
- Academic time, with peer-to-peer guidance and tutoring
- Community time, engaging with Residential and other scholars in games, arts, and conversation
- On- and off-campus service and enrichment activities with their middle or high school cohort
- Weekly therapeutic group sessions
Both our Residential and Academy scholars participate in six weeks of all-day Summer Programming by age groups, which reinforces developmental goals and exposes scholars to many "first-time experiences."