About

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 AND DNA

MISSION

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

WE ARE

ACADEMICALLY FOCUSED

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 SETTING

We believe youth derive their energy and sustenance from exposure to nurturing environments.

LONG TERM AND COMPREHENSIVE COMMITENT

We believe an enduring relationship with youth holds the most promise for attaining positive outcomes.

FAITH INSPIRED

We believe that a loving God cares about the life of every individual and we manifest this belief.

VOLUNTARY 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.

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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.”

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

Melvin Reyes

Community and Family Support 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.

 

Robert Uribe

Academy Program Manager – Middle School

BHGH has provided me the opportunity to support scholars who, like me, began with humble beginnings. Together, through the power of education, we illuminate the path to a brighter future filled with opportunities.

Ceci Hartke

Volunteer and Donor Manager

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

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. ”

OPEN POSITION

Career Readiness & Alumni Manager

David Solis Lopez

Program Support Specialist (Part-Time)

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

Are you interested in joining our Board or Associate Board?

LET US KNOW!

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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

Laura Walsh Giesecke
Brophy Community Foundation

Erin Goodnow
Going Ivy

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.

Kristin R. Venberg
Brophy College Preparatory

Ty Vilhauer
Newmark Group Inc.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Stephanie Bridgeo

ASSOCIATE BOARD

Kelsey McKone
President
[email protected]
Will Graham
Secretary/Treasurer
[email protected]

Kate Keller
Chair, Fundraising, Events
[email protected]

Jessica Hale
Chair, Governance
[email protected]

Colin Oca
Chair, Membership
[email protected]

Erin Bratton
Chase Gabriel
Elizabeth Goldstein
Paulina Gonzalez
Craig Kober
Kevin Moyer
Sierra Sanchez

Paloma Scheiferstein
Zach Schroeder
Anna Tramutolo
Lauren Tomlinson
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

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