2. Boys Hope Girls Hope This organization provides at risk
middle and high school students with around the clock care.
Students live in a house with a counselor and other boys and girls
in similar situations. There is one girls house and one boys house
located near Regis Jesuit High School. The organization takes care
of the students medical, emotional, social, and academic needs.
Students live in the houses together and attend Regis Jesuit until
acceptance to college.
3. My Experience
4. Discussion with the Learner Me: What did you know about Boys
Hope Girls Hope before you joined the program? Learner: I didnt
know about it. Me: What has helped you be successful here? What
skills do you have from before you started that have helped you now
that youre here? Learner: My counselor really helped me feel at
home. It takes me a while to feel comfortable with people, and she
really pushed me to open up and talk about what was going on in my
head. I used to spend so much time alone that I was just used to
keeping it to myself. Now I know I have a safe place to talk and
everyone here will support me and help me.
5. Discussion with the Learner Me: What has Boys Hope Girls
Hope helped you the most with? Learner: I get good grades now. I
never did my homework before, and now I have to. They study with me
and we all work together. Some of us kind of compete against each
other a little with grades. Me: How do you see yourself interacting
with Boys Hope Girls Hope in the future? Learner: I definitely want
to keep in contact with them so I can get the college scholarship.
But I also wouldnt mind helping other kids like me. Its like were
family. This is my new family.
6. Due to sensitivity of the families, I was unable to ask the
students family members questions. However, I interviewed one of
the volunteer coordinators and one of the live in counselors.
7. Discussion with a Counselor Me: How did you find out about
this program? Counselor: A friend of a friend told me about it. Ive
always had a passion for working with this age group and I just
really want to give these boys the support they need to make it in
this world.Me: What has helped you understand the impact you make
on these boys lives? Counselor: My relationships with all of them.
Its always hard at first. The transition is difficult and really
emotional. The boys tend to have a hard time trusting me, and its
just tough. Once theyve been here for a while and know I am here
for them, we start to click and they start to improve academically
and socially. Its just really rewarding to see them mature and
realize they have all these opportunities at their fingertips.
8. Discussion with a Counselor Me: What do you think your
learner has learned the most since joining Boys Hope Girls Hope?
Counselor: Responsibility and accountability. He has realized that
we are going to follow through and make sure his work is being
completed and he is following the right path. Its given him more
confidence to know that we are here every step of the way. Me:
Where do you think he learned this? Counselor: He learned it
through our discussions and meetings. Both our individual
one-on-one sessions, but during our groups sessions as well where
he sees the other boys being held to the same standard.
9. Discussion with a Counselor Me: What else do you think I
should know about this program? Counselor: It really makes a
difference in these kids lives. We take them from places where
their chances are slim and they are facing major obstacles. We give
them opportunities and then expect them to rise to our standards.
And they do.
10. Discussion with a Volunteer Coordinator Me: What kinds of
things do you consider when designing the learning experiences?
Volunteer Coordinator: The students background knowledge is the
biggest factor. Some of these kids do not have the language skills
necessary to be truly successful. Nor do they have the experiences
more fortunate kids are provided. We try our best to catch them up
and expose them to all that we can. We want to prepare them for the
future and give them the tools necessary to succeed.
11. Discussion with a Volunteer Coordinator Me: How do these
learning experiences incorporate strengths that the learner brings
with them? Volunteer Coordinator: We have group sessions where all
the kids talk about their experiences and share what they can. We
want to incorporate every childs background. Just like you share
your experiences with cousins or your spouse, we share our
experiences. Many of these students have experienced similar
situations, and sharing their pasts and current experiences helps
them bond and form a family here.
12. Discussion with a Volunteer Coordinator Me: How does the
background knowledge of the students' relate to the mission and
vision of the organization? Volunteer Coordinator: Boys Hope Girls
Hope helps at risk children to meet their full potential. Our
vision is that they become women and men for others. We support
them through family-like homes, a variety of opportunities, and a
quality education from middle school through college. In order for
them to be successful, the kids need to feel that they are valued
and important. Their individual backgrounds are so important. We
value their backgrounds, their families, and their experiences. We
stay in contact with their families and support them through visits
and different opportunities to grow and become all they can
be.
13. Discussion with a Volunteer Coordinator Me: What are some
of the ways that you think that the learning experience of the
children might be enhanced with deliberate planning from an asset
perspective? Volunteer Coordinator: Everything we do is planned
deliberately. From the counselors, to the meals, we plan to help
these kids the best we can. We want them to be successful and to
feel our care and support. The students learn and grow
academically, however, they grow emotionally as well. We focus on
the emotional side just as much as we focus on the educational
side.
14. My Reflection When I first heard about this program, I was
shocked. I attended Regis Jesuit High school and had no idea that
my high school supported such an amazing program. Because of my
high school experience, I am well versed in all that Regis Jesuit
High School has to offer both academically and socially. Outside of
academics, Regis is like a family. It is an experience that these
students would otherwise not be fortunate enough to enjoy. Boys
Hope Girls Hope allows students privileges that would be
unattainable due to their familys status.Throughout this course, I
have mentioned how many students are not allotted opportunities
comparable to their privileged peers experiences. This program
gives students the ability to succeed. The learners are provided a
safe and comfortable place to live where their basic needs are met.
They receive support from middle school through college, both
emotionally and financially, and are consistently encouraged to
reach their fullest potential. I wish that more students in our
country were provided such opportunities. Boys Hope Girls Hope is
making our communities and country a better place by helping young
people in need.