We are Hope Ignites Baltimore
Hope Ignites Baltimore helps motivated 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 productive life, breaking barriers so they can become community-minded leaders.
Hope Ignites 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.
Hope Ignites Baltimore is a proud member of the Hope Ignites Network. Our Network Headquarters, located in St. Louis, Missouri, connects, provides leadership to, and offers signature college-preparatory programming to affiliates across the nation, Mexico, and Guatemala. 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 Hope Ignites program.
LOCAL IMPACT
Since 2002, Hope Ignites Baltimore has been helping scholars rise up from disadvantaged backgrounds and strive for more. Hope Ignites Baltimore serves youth who want to go to college and create successful futures for themselves. Our scholars have joined our program to receive support on their journey to college and beyond. They seek the academic resources, extracurricular opportunities, and mentor relationships we provide.
See how Hope Ignites is prioritizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
HISTORY
Hope Ignites was founded in 1977 in St. Louis, Missouri by Rev. Paul Sheridan, SJ. Since that time, the program has been replicated across the US and in Latin America. Below are key highlights from our affiliate’s history.
2002
The organization opened in Baltimore and was housed in the convent of Our Lady of Pompei Church in the Highlandtown neighborhood of Baltimore.
2007
Founding Board Members purchased a lot in Northeast Baltimore and built the boys home.
2010
With the generosity of the television program, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, the girls home was built.
2012
Three original scholars became the first college graduates from the Baltimore program!
Marc Franklin – Boston College
Michael Franklin – Haverford College
David Yeager – Bachelor’s UMBC and Master’s Morgan State 2014
2017
The Baltimore affiliate celebrates its 15th anniversary!
2017
The organization celebrates its 40th anniversary!
2025
The organization officially changes its name from Boys Hope Girls Hope to Hope Ignites.
LEADERSHIP
The Hope Ignites Baltimore 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 programming and improvement through impact evaluation and innovation.
Paige Coressel
Demetria Jackson
boys’ and girls’ residential programs. With more than 20 years of experience in human services and education, Demetria has worked as a case manager, family shelter
professional, Assistant Principal, math teacher, Dean of Students, and youth program leader, while also owning and operating transportation and daycare services. As someone
who grew up in a Baltimore neighborhood where community members supported and cared for one another, Demetria carries those values of community, compassion, and
giving back close to her heart. Her professional and personal experiences, including more than 17 years as a foster parent, have strengthened her commitment to creating safe,
supportive environments where young people can overcome barriers and reach their full potential. Demetria holds a Master of Education from Coppin State University and a Master
of Science in Human Systems Management from the University of Baltimore and brings a strong passion for education, youth development, and mentoring. Outside of work,
Demetria enjoys spending time with family, mentoring young people, and staying connected to basketball, which she has coached at both the school and college levels.
Kiley Dare
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jaclyn Pavelec
Board Chair
Senior Proposal Manager, American Institutes for Research
Kristi Yowell
Board Co-Chair
Chief People & Culture Officer, Loyola University
Matthew J. Youssef, Esq.
Board Secretary
Partner, Niles, Barton & Wilmer, LLP
Matthew Schofield, Esq.
Board Treasurer
Associate, Venable LLP
Ada Bacetty
Development Committee
Department Chief, Federal Government
Jennifer Burns
Development Committee
Client Manager, RCM&D
Darryl Farrow
Development Committee
Chief Diversity Equity & Inclusion Officer, McCormick Global Headquarters
Julian Lloyd
Development Committee
Business Development Professional, Siemens Healthineers
Noah Wheeler
Development Committee
Director of Enterprise Sales, MidAtlantic Driven Tech
Michelle Barrett
Development Committee
Hiring Manager, Power Home Remodeling
Gina Campbell
Program Committee Chair
Founder, The Campbell Foundation
Jessi Guenther
Development Committee
Vice President North America, Allegis Global Solutions
David Robinson
Development Committee
Vice President, Area Sales Manager, First National Bank Corp.
John Goles
Emeritus
Senior VP, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
Andrew Hilger
Emeritus
President (retired), Allegis Group
Ray McLaughlin
Emeritus
Managing Partner, AltaVista Startegic Partners
STEWARDSHIP
We pledge to ensure your investment has the impact that it merits. Hope Ignites continues to enhance our Performance Management Tool, utilizing peer accountability and support across our fourteen affiliates and Headquarters.
This consistent evaluation allows us to assess our data-centric, outcomes-oriented programming. Our ability to generate real-time data gives us the opportunity to provide maximum transparency to our stakeholders.
Additionally, Hope Ignites adheres to AFP’s Donor Bill of Rights.
Hope Ignites and all 14 affiliates undergo an annual audit. This transparency enables us to demonstrate our sound stewardship of the resources invested by our generous donors.
