We are Boys Hope Girls Hope

Boys Hope Girls Hope of Arizona helps motivated middle school 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 a productive life, breaking barriers so they can become community-minded leaders.

Boys Hope Girls Hope 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 Arizona 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 16 affiliates.  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 & DNA

MISSION

To nurture and guide motivated young people in need to become
well-educated, career-ready men and women for others.

DNA

We are:

Academically Focused

Service Oriented

Long-Term and Comprehensive

Faith-Inspired

“To me, being a Boys Hope Girls Hope scholar has been defined by the environment I was fortunate to grow in during middle school and high school. One in which I was able to flourish despite adversities, passing the threshold to test my own limits, knowing that Boys Hope Girls Hope was with me every step of the way.”

— Aranzazu, BHGH Scholar —

brother scholars

LOCAL IMPACT

Boys Hope Girls Hope of Arizona currently serves 90 youth: 58 in the academy program and 32 in college. We have great numbers to represent our success and we often hit 100%. But that’s not where the story ends. There isn’t a number that is large enough to represent the character, ambition, courage and integrity of our young men and women.

HISTORY

Boys Hope Girls Hope was founded in 1977. Fr. Paul Sheridan, SJ and the first Board of Directors welcomed the innagural class of scholars into the new organization known as “The Jesuit Program for Living and Learning,” then. The program began in St. Louis, and has now spread to 15 other locations, plus ours! See how Arizona has been changing lives over the decades.

1989

Boys Hope Girls Hope of Arizona was founded.

1998

After almost 10 years of serving boys, Arizona opened it’s first Girls Hope Home in Pheonix.

1999

The first scholar from Boys Hope Girls Hope of Arizona graduates!

2004

The Academy Pathway was added, increasing the number of children being served. Arizona now has residential and non-residential offerings.

2012

Boys Hope Girls Hope was ranked one of the top 10 college readiness programs in the United States by the Educational Policy Institutes.

2017

Boys Hope Girls Hope celebrates its 40th Anniversary!

2019

Boys Hope Girls Hope of Arizona celebrates its 30th Anniversary!

2023

Boys Hope Girls Hope AZ Launches Strategic Growth Initiative. Residential program closed June 2023 and expanded the Academy program to double the scholars served by 2030!

LEADERSHIP

The Boys Hope Girls Hope of Arizona Board of Directors and staff leadership collaborate to ensure mission fidelity, financial stewardship, and transparency. This team of professionals is committed to continuous learning, effective programing, and improvement through impact evaluation and innovation.

Amy Pfeifer

Amy Pfeifer

Executive Director

Marghan Miller

Development Director
“Arizona needs a well-educated and diverse workforce to face the challenges ahead and quality education is the starting point.”

Alexandra Harmon

College Success Manager
“I love the balance of academics and personal growth that Boys Hope Girls Hope offers our scholars.”

Meghann Gintz

Director of Monitoring and Support Services
“I believe in the long-term commitment to scholars and their families as we strengthen our community through access to education.”

Melvin Reyes

Residential Program Manager
“From the moment I began working with youth, I found my passion.”

Natalie Negron-Torrens

Director of Programs

BHGH is an opportunity to improve young people’s lives and open up a world of possibilities for them to grow and excel in adulthood.

 

Maricela Diaz

Academy Program Manager – Middle School
“As a first-generation student, I hope to inspire and support scholars to reach their full potential.”

Monica Wilmoth

Development Manager

“Waking up every day as a BHGH employee is a one-of-a-kind joy that comes from seeing the beautiful support and determination of our scholars, team, and community.”

Christina Villa

Academy Program Manager High School
” BHGH gives me the opportunity to grow professionally. It also gives me the opportunity to be the person for youth that I needed when I was younger. ”

Rachael Shiver

Residential Counselor
“At BHGH I am able to make a difference in the lives of our scholars.”

Mike Gutmacher

Residential Counselor
“Working at BHGH is an amazing experience!”

Maria Regino

Residential Counselor

At BHGH I am able to provide unconditional support and help scholars grow in different aspects to accomplish their goals.

Jose Hoyos

Residential Counselor
“BHGH has allowed me to incorporate my knowledge, skills, and passion into my role with the scholars.”

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jose Leon, Chairman
Leon Law PLLC

Mark Williams, Vice Chair
KW Law, LLP

Lee Ann Fennessy, Secretary and Governance Chair
Community Volunteer

Tommy McKone, Development Chair
McKone Strategies, LLC

Derek Flint, Program Chair
Snell & Wilmer Law

Jill Zimmerman, Treasurer & Finance Chair
Brophy College Preparatory

 

Brad Amico
World Wide Technologies

Erin Goodnow
Going Ivy

Aaron Hill
Microsoft

Billy Itule
Willie Itule Produce

Maria Teresa Martinez
Arizona State University

 

Kyle McMillian
UMB

Kristin Ostby de Barillas
(Ex Officio) BHGH International

Emily Palumbo
Community Volunteer

Karen Parise
Licensed Counselor
Brophy College Prep, Ret.

 

Anna Stewart
APS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Amy Pfeifer

ASSOCIATE BOARD

Kelsey McKone
President
kelsey@fundamentalincome.com
Will Graham
Secretary/Treasurer
willgraham@me.com

OPEN
Chair, Fundraising, Events

Jessica Hale
Chair, Governance
jessica@kwlaw.co

OPEN
Chair, Membership

Erin Fust
Elizabeth Goldstein
Paulina Gonzalez
Andrew Hall
Kate Keller
Craig Kober

Natalie Long
Kevin Moyer
Colin Oca
Zach Schroeder
Patrick Touche
Brian Wendel

EMERITUS BOARD

William Bidwill †
Arizona Cardinals

Gerald Bisgrove
Stardust Foundation

William Catalonotte
Hensley & Co, Retired

Lee Cohn
Triple LC

Carla Consoli
Lewis Roca Rothgerber

Robert Delgado
Hensley Beverage Company

Philip Dion
Del Webb Corporation, Retired

John Eldean
Alliance Bank of Arizona

Bob Fessler
United States Air Force, Retired

F. Michael Geddes
Geddes and Company

Julie Hancock
Camelot Homes

Mark Hancock
Camelot Homes

William Hodges
Miller Russell & Assoc.

Jackie Hutt
Playmakers

Dave Koeninger
Arizona Cardinals

Hope Levin
MRL Partners LLC

Donald Loback
Community Volunteer

Al Lorenzi
ABL Wealth Management

Rev. Robert Mathewson, SJ †
Bellarmine College

Steven Matteucci
BMO Harris Bank

Don McFall
ADM Properties

Honorable Thomas W. O’Toole †
Maricopa Cnty Superior Court

Tony Palumbo †
Palumbo, Wolfe & Palumbo

Richard J. Perry
Dibble & Associates, Retired

Rev. Edward Reese, SJ
St. Ignatius College Preparatory

Adria Renke
Brophy College Preparatory 

Robert Russell †
Russcor Financial, Inc.

J. Russell Skelton
Jones, Skelton & Hochuli

Cheryl Vogt
Retired from Marsh Inc.

R.J. Williams, Sr.
Cadillac Products, Inc.

Bradley Wright
Squire Patton Boggs