We Are Boys Hope Girls Hope of Arizona

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 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 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

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.

“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 Alumna, Yale University graduate ~ Enviromental Engineering

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!

2024

BHGH says farewell to Amy Pfeifer, Executive Director! We are forever grateful for her tenure,  dedication and commitment to BHGH AZ!

BHGH brings on new Executive Director, Stephanie Bridgeo.

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.

Stephanie Bridgeo

Stephanie Bridgeo

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.”

Meghann Gintz

Director of Monitoring & Evaluation

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

Tiffany Adkins-Hardy

Director of Programs

As a 1st generation graduate, I immediately connected with Boys Hope Girls Hope’s mission to empower youth to overcome challenges and succeed in all aspects of life. 

Alexandra Harmon

College & Career Success Director

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

Melvin Reyes

Director of Family & Community Relations

I believe when a young person has access to a quality education, the world will open up for them.

Ceci Hartke
Volunteer & Donor Manager

I believe when a young person has access to a quality education, the world will open up for them.

OPEN POSITION

Academy Program Manager Middle School

Carlos Celeya

Academy Program Manager Juniors/Seniors

“Helping youth is crucial because it empowers the next generation to overcome challenges, achieve their potential, and build a brighter future for themselves.”

David Solis Lopez

Associate High School Program Manager

As an alumnus of BHGH, the organization helped me discover a whole new world and I am excited to help scholars discover their passion.

2 OPEN POSITIONS

Program Support Specialist (Part-Time)

Are you interested in joining our Board or Associate Board?

LET US KNOW!

2 + 15 =

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mark Williams, Chair
KW Law, LLP

Jose Leon, Previous Past Chair
Leon Law PLLC

Lee Ann Fennessy, Secretary and Governance Chair
Community Volunteer

Derek Flint, Program Chair
Snell & Wilmer Law

Jill Zimmerman, Treasurer & Finance Chair
Brophy College Preparatory

Brad Amico
World Wide Technologies

Scott Ellsworth
SRS Real Estate Partners

Timothy J. Fyan
Tull Forsberg & Olson PLC

Laura Walsh Giesecke
Brophy Community Foundation

Kyle McMillian
UMB

Kelsey McKone
Fundamental Income

Kristin Ostby de Barillas
(Ex Officio) BHGH International

Emily Palumbo
Community Volunteer

Kristin R. Venberg
Brophy College Preparatory

Ty Vilhauer
Newmark Group Inc.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Stephanie Bridgeo

ASSOCIATE BOARD

Kate Keller
President
[email protected]

Will Graham
Secretary/Treasurer
[email protected]

Sierra Sanchez
Chair, Fundraising, Events
[email protected]

Zach Schroeder
Chair, Governance
[email protected]

Colin Oca
Chair, Membership
[email protected]

Erin Bratton
Andrew Cropper
Paloma Diaz Scheiferstein
Chase Gabriel
Paulina Gonzalez
Andrew Hall
Julia Kmiecik

Craig Kober
Natalie Long
Brian McCormick
Kevin Moyer
Kenny Pham
Alvaro Romero
Matt Schmidt

Patrick Touche
Anna Tramutolo
Matthew Villa
Brian Wendel
Jeffrey  Williams

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

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