A BOLD VISION

The 80th birthday of Boys Hope Girls Hope Founder Paul Sheridan, SJ, marks a unique opportunity to reflect upon the organization’s progress to date and its bright future. It was a bold vision born from Sheridan’s firm belief that promising young people from vulnerable backgrounds could thrive with the right opportunities, a safe environment, and concern for not just their academic but also their emotional well-being.

The seed that grew into Boys Hope Girls Hope was planted during Sheridan’s childhood. While traveling the world with his family for his dad’s job, Sheridan grew up interacting with people from all backgrounds. He had the opportunity to experience different cultures and developed a yearning to help others.

The seed was then nourished by Sheridan’s work in Full Achievement, where he and 12 other Jesuit Scholastics lived in an impoverished area of south St. Louis known as La Salle Park while they attended Saint Louis University. After learning about board building, fundraising, and child safeguarding at Boys Town in Nebraska, he focused on opening the first home for seven boys behind Saint Louis University High in 1977.

“Father Paul left a huge impression on me,” says Kevin Rucker, an alumnus of the St. Louis affiliate. “I truly benefitted from his hard work on the program.”

Sheridan also formed a National Office (which later was renamed the Network Headquarters) with an eye toward expansion, and by 1979, programs expanded to Chicago and New York. With the help of dedicated team members and supporters, the vision continued to flourish and grow as the founder turned over the reins of the day-to-day program while continuing active volunteer leadership. Affiliate residential locations grew steadily in other cities over the following decades, including the first international affiliate, Brazil, in 1987, fueled by Sheridan’s loving spirit and tireless commitment.

In 2004, the first out-of-school-time pathway, titled the Academy, opened in Phoenix, Arizona. The extension of the core mission was to serve motivated young people in Academies who needed a supportive environment, loving community, and access to education and opportunities but who could live at home. By 2010, Boys Hope Girls Hope was serving 800 scholars and collegians, and today the thriving Network reaches more than 1,200 in 15 cities in the United States, Guatemala, and Mexico.

Under the leadership of President & CEO Kristin Ostby de Barillas, Boys Hope Girls Hope is on a solid trajectory to grow. With the need in every affiliate city far exceeding current reach, a strategic plan has been devised to triple the number of scholars and collegians served to 3,600 over the next decade. One of the key drivers for this growth will be to add Academies in cities where they don’t currently exist and expand them in today’s locations. Of course, this will take additional resources and support to achieve.

“I am excited about the plans to expand and reach more children in need with loving homes and Academies,” says Sheridan. “I see this plan as essential for our mission. With so many young people in our world still hurting and lacking opportunities, we cannot rest until we achieve it.”