About Us

Boys Hope Girls Hope helps academically capable and motivated children-in-need to meet their full potential and become men and women for others by providing value-centered, family-like homes, opportunities and education through college.

The Story
When Paul Sheridan, S.J., founded Boys Hope Girls Hope in 1977, he had a vision of creating a privately funded, nationwide network of warm and loving homes where talented children from backgrounds with significant stressors and/or environmental impediments could live, flourish, and achieve academically.

Boys Hope Girls Hope Kansas City is the newest addition to a national network of 39 Boys Hope Girls Hope (BHGH) homes in 16 U.S. cities and 2 foreign countries. Our first house for boys is located near 120th and State Line Road in Kansas City, Missouri. It is home to nine boys and three live-in counselors. The counselors provide a safe, family-like environment where children can be a part of a nurturing home. Our residential counselors typically become surrogate parents for the children, though we always actively encourage the children, where appropriate, to maintain positive relationships with their parents or guardians.

Long range plans call for the development of two additional houses - one more for boys, and one for girls. Each house will serve six to eight children.

Boys Hope Girls Hope has a two-fold approach to its success.    One component is a value-centered, nurturing, family-like home. Within this environment our children receive the wellness of being that allows them to discover the dignity of self and others, develop healthy life habits, form a character of integrity, explore their relationship with God, broaden their horizons, raise their sights, and recognize their connections to others. In other words, they develop respect, responsibility, compassion, and a conscience.

Education is the other key to our success. We work with talented and capable youth who can respond not just to our home life but also to the rigorous academic curricula taught by our schools. Our schools challenge and develop our kids' talents so that they can engage meaningfully and successfully in the world.

In short, our homes develop the character and integrity that lead to principled and compassionate living. Our schools create minds that are keen and engaging. As a result we witness our children maturing to become 'persons for others'.

We Provide H.O.P.E.

Homes

We offer value-centered and family-style homes in residential neighborhoods. Our children follow the structured routines of a daily schedule, including hygiene, chores, meals, school and study, play, reflection, and community building activities.

Opportunities

Our children are challenged to become mature, healthy, and educated 'persons for others'. They are offered opportunities to nurture and develop their intellectual, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. This means extra-curricular activities, Boys Hope Girls Hope enrichment outings, community service projects, structured study times, tutoring and counseling when needed, weekend worship, jobs, internships, and more.

Parenting

Our residential counselors offer positive parenting to our kids and participatory partnership with their families. Regularly scheduled family visits are arranged, case conferences are held, and major decision-making is done with the families.

Education

Our kids attend quality, college-preparatory schools because one of our goals for them is a college education. To assist them in reaching this goal, they receive training in organization, study habits, and life skills. The boys residing in our first house will attend elementary school at Christ the King School at 85th and Wornall Road. The older boys will attend Rockhurst High School.

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Services
Children generally enter the program between the ages of 10 and 14 and live in our homes through high school graduation. Placement in our homes is voluntary on part of the child and his or her parent(s) or guardian, and the program facilitates regular contacts and counseling where appropriate with the child's family.

The Boys Hope Girls Hope residential program offers:

• Education in quality college-preparatory elementary and secondary schools;
  
• Value-centered, family style homes focusing on moral and spiritual development;
  
• Professional, live-in residential counselors who provide structure, guidance, and nurturing;
  
• Room, board, tuition, clothing, and personal needs allowance;
  
• Medical, dental, and optical services;
  
• Professional therapeutic counseling (if needed);
  
• Summer enrichment programs;
  
• Extended services for program graduates.

After-Care Services

All children admitted to Boys Hope Girls Hope receive after-care services designed to meet their individual needs upon completion of the residential program, usually at the time of high school graduation.

They include:

• Financial assistance for tuition, room, and board;
  
• Emotional support and mentoring while on campus;
  
• Temporary housing at Boys Hope Girls Hope during college breaks;
  
• Assistance in securing internships and employment;
  
• Follow-up contact to access a youth's reintegration into the family;
  
• Extension of counseling services where needed;
  
• Support and guidance for the primary caregiver;
  
• Assistance with referral services.

Family Services

Though Boys Hope Girls Hope is not a traditional family service agency, many parents and guardians benefit from services provided by the program, including information on and referral to community resources, parenting guidance, crisis intervention, and informal counseling.

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Partners in Parenting
One of the most important aspects of Boys Hope Girls Hope is the close association of parents with the program. Parent involvement is highly valued, reaffirming the conviction that parents are the first and most important teachers of their children. Parental participation in their child's activities and special events within the program, as well as support of program goals and values, ensures the best possible experience for the child.

• The parent or legal guardian of the Boys Hope Girls Hope youth is a partner with the program in the parenting of the child;
  
• Parents maintain guardianship and custody of the youth;
  
• Boys Hope Girls Hope maintains regular contact with families of children in the program through scheduled conferences and telephone contacts. The staff meets briefly with the parent before and after family visits;
  
• Youth typically visit families according to their service plans, typically once a month, and perhaps more, depending upon the particular situation of the child. Extended visits may occur during holidays and within the summer time. There are no restrictions on contact by phone, letter, or email. Special visits can be arranged outside the established visiting schedule;
  
• Parents will be informed in advance of special events and activities involving their child;
  
• Parents are welcome to communicate with program staff any concerns regarding their child's needs or services rendered by Boys Hope Girls Hope.

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Admissions
Boys Hope Girls Hope will consider a child for placement in our program if the following criteria are met.

The child must:

• Be between the ages of 10 and 14 at the time of admission. Older children may be considered based on academic record and desire to participate;
  
• Have academic potential to succeed in a college-preparatory curriculum;
  
• Be open to a long-term, value-centered, nurturing residential setting;
  
• Free from significant emotional and behavioral issues and from learning disabilities; no drug or alcohol involvement;
  
• Have the ability to relate positively to peers and authority;
  
• Understand and accept the expectations of the Boys Hope Girls Hope program and voluntarily participate;
  
• Have the support of the family.

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Application Process
Contact the Executive Director to discuss the possibility of a program scholarship for a youth. A personal interview will be arranged between the referral agent (if applicable), Boys Hope Girls Hope, the child, and the family.

Following a successful interview, the following materials are submitted to Boys Hope Girls Hope by the child's parent(s) or guardian.

• Application;
  
• Academic Record & Immunization;
  
• Letter from the child to the Board of Directors petitioning consideration.

Once Boys Hope Girls Hope has received the completed application, arrangements will be made for:

• Psychological/Academic Testing;
  
• Youth and Family Visit to the program.

Following the testing and visit, the Program Committee of the Board of Directors determines a youth's acceptance into the program. Typically, this process takes between 4 to 6 weeks.

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Employment
Employment opportunities for Boys Hope Girls Hope Kansas City as well as our affiliates throughout the country are posted on the website of the National Organization.  Please click to link below to view current listing.

Employment

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