We are Boys Hope Girls Hope
of Pittsburgh
In its 40+ year history, Boys Hope Girls Hope has built a strong, viable and relevant network of 16 affiliates serving more than 1,200 young people in the US and Latin America. As a part of this extraordinary organization since its inception, Girls Hope is now officially adopting the Boys Hope Girls Hope brand name and look!
Boys Hope Girls Hope of Pittsburgh selects young people in need with grit, determination and motivation. We work with them from their critical adolescent years all the way through college and into the launch of their careers. Our live-in residential program model helps surround them with a nurturing, high-expectations environment where they receive the resources, skills and encouragement to achieve their goals and dreams.
Our goal is to graduate well-educated, young people who are physically, emotionally, spiritually and academically prepared for college, career and life.
“Girls Hope has enabled me to succeed, and taught me that you can overcome any obstacles in your path if you work at it long enough and hard enough.”
— Karen, Alumna —
OUR MISSION
To nurture and guide motivated young people in need to become well-educated, career-ready men and women for others.
OUR VISION
We believe in opportunity, education and inclusion for every motivated young person.
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ACADEMIC FOCUS
We believe in the transformative power of education to develop lifelong learners using:
Strengths-based, positive youth development approaches
Practical preparation for careers to sustain one’s self and family
Exposure to diverse opportunities that enrich one’s life and enhance learning
Scholarship incentives encouraging and maximizing self-motivated learning
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SERVICE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
We believe in the Jesuit-inspired, values-centered hallmark of building “persons for others” by:
Developing character through service learning activities related to social justice and civic responsibility
Educating those at every level of our organization in cultural competence
Seeking collaborative partnerships to enhance our mission
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FAMILY-LIKE SETTINGS TO CREATE A SENSE OF BELONGING
We believe youth derive their energy and sustenance from exposure to nurturing environments that provide:
Inclusion in a loving community that meets youth where they are but sets high expectations
A feeling of “being home,” with residential care as needed
Strong and supportive developmental relationships with adult mentors and peers
Stability, structure, and individualized guidance in small settings
Modeling of positive values
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LONG-TERM AND COMPREHENSIVE COMMITMENT
We believe an enduring relationship with youth holds the most promise for attaining positive outcomes by:
Intervening early to support scholars from adolescence through college graduation and beyond
Offering a holistic spectrum of programming that evolves with the age and needs of youth
Providing ample opportunities for youth to develop social and emotional learning skills
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FAITH-BASED VALUES
We believe that a loving God cares about the life of every individual and we manifest this belief by:
Respecting, serving and engaging people from all faith and non-faith traditions
Focusing on those most in need of our services
Fostering spirituality and an active spiritual life as essential elements of healthy personal development
Helping youth develop a moral compass based on universal principles
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VOLUNTARY PARTICIPANT COMMITMENT
We believe in the motivational power of self-selection into the BHGH program because:
Parents and Scholars share a vision for a better future
Scholars elect to invest in themselves and are empowered to join
Families value and trust in a working partnership with Boys Hope Girls Hope
Boys Hope Girls Hope serves bright, capable young people who are motivated to overcome obstacles to reach their potential
LOCAL IMPACT
Operating as Girls Hope since 1992, Boys Hope Girls Hope of Pittsburgh has been helping scholars tap into their God-given strengths to rise up from disadvantaged backgrounds and strive for more. Boys Hope Girls Hope of Pittsburgh serves youth who want to go to college and create successful futures for themselves and their families. Scholars have joined the program to receive support on their journey to college and beyond. They seek the academic resources, extracurricular opportunities, and mentor relationships Boys Hope Girls Hope provides.
Boys Hope Girls Hope of Pittsburgh History
Boys Hope Girls Hope of Pittsburgh, an affiliate of Boys Hope Girls Hope follows the Boys Hope Girls Hope model while operating as a separate 501(c)(3) organization. As such, Boys Hope Girls Hope of Pittsburgh is responsible for its own fundraising, program management, and community outreach. Boys Hope Girls Hope of Pittsburgh is governed by a Board of Directors that reflects the social, cultural and spiritual diversity of the Pittsburgh area.
1991
The Sisters of St. Joseph founded Girls Hope, the Network’s first girls’ home, in Baden, Pennsylvania. The doors opened with two Sisters as Residential Counselors serving four girls in the program.
1992
Four additional girls entered the program, enabling us to serve a total of eight young women.
2006
Jen Heid joins Girls Hope as the Director of Residential Programming.
2012
Tom Wiese becomes Executive Director.
2019
Through housing, educating, and nurturing our scholars, we have seen 19 women graduate college and launch successful careers.
2020
Rebranded to Boys Hope Girls Hope of Pittsburgh!
Recruiting boys for expansion of service to include our first residence for boys.
LEADERSHIP
The Boys Hope Girls Hope of Pittsburgh Board of Directors and team leadership collaborate to ensure mission fidelity, financial stewardship and transparency. Together, these professionals are committed to continuous learning, effective programming and improvement through impact evaluation and innovation.
Tom Wiese
Executive Director
Michelle Jamison
Director of Programs
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Duffy Hanna, Chair
President
Barristers Land Abstract Company
Megan Duffy, Vice Chair
Associate Counsel
UPMC
Shanon Rohr, Secretary
Grade 8 Dean, Mathematics
The Ellis School
Lacey Tau, Treasurer
Managing Director, Deloitte
Andrea Curtis, YLB President
Financial Advisor
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.
Bonnie Bagay
Real Estate Agent
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services
Maria Bernier
General Counsel
Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
Anissa Gilbert
Business Systems Analyst
PNC Financial Services
Amit S. Grover
Executive Director
Morgan Stanley
Matthew W. Johnson
President
Russell Standard Corporation
Mary Kate Joyce
Director, Public Relations
Ansys, Inc.
James R. Kane
Meredith Ley
Real Estate Agent
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services
George Linge
Senior Managing Counsel
PNC Financial Services
Jan W. Madison, MD*
Pittsburgh Pulmonary
Lisa Mehalick
Real Estate Agent
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services
Jennifer Miller
Executive Vice President, Client Relations
DDC
Sr. Rosanne Oberleitner, CSJ*
Sisters of Saint Joseph
Mark M. Sherwin
Retired
CENTRIA
Louisa Shin
Community Volunteer
Tiana Smith
Criminal Justice System Specialist
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency
Sister Jean Uzupis
Sisters of Saint Joseph Leadership Team
Rosemary Welsh
Proprietor
Rosebud’s
Matt Zack
Vice President, Corporate Development
Ansys, Inc.
EMERITUS BOARD MEMBERS
Jeanne Caliguiri
Retired
Leukemia Society of Western PA
Ruth Darragh
Community Volunteer
Charles I. Ferrara
Retired
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network
David Higie
H. Kennedy Linge
Retired
Reed Smith, LLP
Christopher Newton
Retired
Bayer Corporation
Joseph Platt
General Partner
Thorn Partners, LLP
Robert Riordan
Ronald R. Tisch
Retired
Calgon Carbor Corporation
YOUNG LEADERSHIP BOARD
Andrea Curtis, President
Julie Brennan, Secretary
Sarah Miller, Treasurer
Alicia Locker, Fundraising Chair
Yolanda Wells, Activities Chair
Molly Steimer, Social Media Chair
Zack LaPlante, Outreach/New Member Liason
Denielle DeSantis
Kaylea Doran
Abigail Green
Anissa Gilbert
Caitlin Kelley
Gabrielle Lee
Brianna Sullivan
Board member, Lisa Mehalick is celebrating her marriage to Tom Shanley!
In lieu of gifts, they are requesting gifts in their honor be made to BHGH of Pittsburgh, Inc. Gifts will support our mission to nurture and guide motivated young people in need to become well-educated, career-ready men and women for others. Funds will be used for operating use – ie, food, clothing, tuition, books & educational supplies, college tuition, gas and utilities at both houses, etc.