Three years ago, Hope Chicago embarked on a bold mission to dismantle systemic barriers to economic prosperity for Chicago families. Our innovative approach? Providing access to debt-free degrees or professional certifications for two generations within each family at five high schools across the South and West Sides. Alongside our partners, investors, and friends, we have all become trailblazers—delivering tangible results that are not only reshaping the lives of Hope Chicago families, but also paving the way for lasting change for even more families across Chicago and Illinois.
Our progress is measured by significant milestones: postsecondary enrollment, persistence, and ultimately, completion of degrees or certificates. The impact and potential of our work has been evident from the start—first with one, then two, and now three consecutive years of dramatic increases in postsecondary enrollment. We’ve seen the remarkable influence of Hope Parent Scholars, inspired by their children, stepping forward to pursue long-deferred dreams. More than 130 parents enrolled in the first year, and that number continues to grow. Through the early phases of this endeavor, we’ve remained adaptable, leveraging data with our partners to continuously refine and enhance our program.
This year, our first Scholars reached a new landmark in their journey – two-year persistence. In this report, we’re excited to share the results. More than just a marker of time, persistence reflects our shared commitment to ensuring students not only start but finish, unlocking opportunities that elevate themselves, their families, and their communities.
We firmly believe that the people of Chicago, from neighborhoods like Pilsen, Garfield Park, Little Village, Englewood, and Morgan Park, hold the key to our city’s future. Together, we are building a legacy of success, resilience, and prosperity, and we look forward to continuing that journey with you.
With Hope,
Janice K. Jackson, EdD CEO, Hope Chicago
Table of Contents
Pages 12 - 13
Impact Across Chicagoland, Illinois
Pages 14 - 15
More Students Remain Enrolled
Pages 16 - 17
Key Partnerships and Actions
Page 18
Hope Chicago’s Co-Chairs
Pages 4 - 5
Building a Prosperous Future
Page 19
Founding Partners
Pages 6 - 7
Removing Barriers, Supporting Success
Pages 8 - 9 Sustained Increases and Gains
Pages 10 - 11
Parents Taking Action
Pages 20 - 21
Pages
Building a Prosperous Future
Education after high school is required to build wealth and compete in today’s economy, and it is only becoming more important to attaining stable employment and sustainable earning. A prosperous future for Illinois demands increased access to the postsecondary education, training, and credentials required to create a stable and healthy life today and in the future.
Sources: Georgetown University, Center on Education and The Workforce; Lumina Foundation; To&Through Project
4
Two Generations at a Time
In 2022, Hope Chicago partnered with five Chicago community high schools on the city’s South and West Sides—offering each enrolled student and one parent the opportunity to pursue a debt-free postsecondary education simultaneously.
Hope Scholar: Recent high school graduate pursuing a postsecondary education with Hope Chicago’s suite of innovative supports.
Hope Parent Scholar: Parent/Guardian of Hope Scholar also pursuing supported postsecondary or workforce opportunities with Hope Chicago’s support.
Removing Barriers, Supporting Success
Enrollment
Hope Chicago partners with a diverse portfolio of academic and career-focused programs that appeal to, welcome, and support recent high school graduates and their parents.
Access
For students and parents alike, Hope Chicago opens up educational and career opportunities that are often too costly for low-income, first-generation families.
Completion
Hope Chicago employs a family-centered approach to supporting Scholars and Parent Scholars, from the decision to enroll through the completion of a certificate or degree.
“I Flipped a Switch”
Entering his final semester at Benito Juárez Community Academy, Ernesto’s cumulative high school grade point average (GPA) hovered around 2.7—a GPA that historically does not see many scholarship dollars offered. “Honestly, I didn’t apply myself in high school, and I was not going to college.”
After Hope Chicago made their announcement in February of 2022, offering Ernesto and a parent the opportunity to pursue a debt-free postsecondary education, everything changed. “To be honest, I just flipped a switch. School became my main focus. I realized that when you don’t apply yourself, you’re just cheating yourself. Getting a degree was now about securing my future. I decided to dorm with other Hope Scholars from Juárez motivated to succeed, and I also took time off of work for my finals.”
Shortly after Hope Chicago’s announcement, Ernesto’s mother, Veronica, also became a Hope Parent Scholar, first obtaining her GED and then enrolling at Richard Daley College, where she is pursuing a degree in psychology. “When I think about my school performance clearing the way for her scholarship, it’s easy to stay focused and succeed,” shares Ernesto.
Ernesto, an accounting major, is now entering his junior year at the University of Illinois Chicago.
His credit attainment to date ranks him as one of the most accomplished Hope Scholars in his cohort.
Early Result:
Sustained Increases in Postsecondary Enrollment
When the financial barriers to postsecondary education are removed, students see futures they had not imagined. As a result, enrollment in college or career programs from Hope Chicago’s partner high schools moved from below to above the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) average.
Enrollment Gains are Clear Across
Demographic and Academic Groups
Enrollment Rates for Black Students
Enrollment Rates per Cumulative High School GPA
Enrollment Rates for Latino Students
Pre-Hope Chicago data sourced from To&Through Project.
Early Result:
Inspired by their Scholars, Parents Are Taking Action
enrolled in an academic or workforce pathway in our first year.
Action at Every Education Level:
Hope Chicago’s investments have helped parents reengage in their educations and career readiness, even those who have limited English proficiency or did not previously graduate high school. Through our partners at Instituto del Progreso Latino and City Colleges of Chicago, many parents have started their participation with Hope Chicago in GED or ESL classes.
A Winning Team
Erica Ivy (above left), a proud Hope Parent Scholar, texts her five children every morning to send them her love and encourage them to be their best for themselves and each other. A few hours south, three of those children are living out her wishes together in Charleston, Illinois.
Prodigy Redmon (above right) and his younger sister, Regina (above middle), both attend Eastern Illinois University (EIU) as Hope Scholars. Their older brother, who attended EIU years before, now works at the local hospital in Charleston, down the road from their resident halls. Far away from home, they’ve made a winning team for their collective futures.
“When my older brother decided to live and work down here the summer after I graduated from high school, it had a big impact on my decision to come to EIU. I knew I had someone down here with me. Since getting down here, I’ve found my place at Eastern,” says Prodigy. “As soon as my sister started considering her college options a year later, I told her, ‘Come to EIU.
We got a team down here. We’re family. We’re going to go to school together, and we’re going to finish.’”
Erica could not be more proud of her children working together to support one another’s goals. Her children could not be more proud of their mother, who overcame a battle with cancer a few years ago, recently earned her GED, and is now studying Business Economics at Harold Washington College.
“I was electrified when I got the news [about his mom]. It’s so motivating,” says Prodigy. “She’s looking at a career in Human Resources with her degree. She’s such a strong person.”
“Our whole family is chasing our goals together. It’s amazing to see us living them all out in such a short time.”
Impact Across Chicagoland and Throughout Illinois
- Javier Cervantes Illinois State Senator, District 1
- Kam Buckner Illinois State Representative, District 26
Additional Programmatic Partners
Enrollment Breakdown:
Serving Hope Scholars and Hope Parent Scholars:
City Colleges of Chicago
Northeastern University
Loyola University
National Louis University
Early Result:
Two Years After High School, More Students Remain Enrolled
Pre-Hope Chicago data sourced from To&Through Project.
Early Result:
Parent Scholars Have Staying Power
of Hope Parent Scholars remain enrolled in their program pathway for a second year.
Getting Over the Finish Line.
Some Hope Parent Scholars started their postsecondary journey long ago, and Hope Chicago has provided them with a second chance to finish. Within its first year, the Parent Scholar Program saw nine parents already get over the finish line with a certification or workforce program.
Key Partnerships and Actions
The transition from high school to college is a big learning curve for every student, but especially for first-generation and low-income students. Nationally, up to 40%* of high school graduates who plan to attend college do not actually show up. To address this, Hope Chicago provides trusted advisors to students alongside high school teams to guide them through the transition.
An even more exciting practice occurs at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC),
SIUC’s Summer Bridge Pilot
Adapted Summer Bridge Program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale Reimagines Postsecondary Transition for First-Generation Students
Hope Chicago’s partner institution farthest from the city. To support the transition to campus, the SUIC team offered all 1st year Hope Scholars the chance to participate in a 4-week Summer Bridge program. Participants built community with other first-year students, allowed them to move down to Carbondale weeks ahead of traditional undergraduate move-in, and also allowed them to obtain up to 8 college credits ahead of the start of the school year.
*NCAN
Redbird Scholars Fly Back
Illinois State University’s Campus Contact Team Demonstrates the Power of Scholar Connections Away from Home
Hope Chicago Campus Contacts are employees of every Hope Chicago partner institution tasked with ensuring Scholars’ success. At Illinois State University, Deanna Stewart (pictured) and her team have proved critical in marshaling university resources for Scholars, creating connectedness among cohorts, and influencing Scholars to return to campus for a second year.
Community-Based Partner Empowers Parents to Take the Leap
Instituto del Progreso Latino is Hope Chicago’s partner community-based organization, serving Hope Chicago parents and Hope Parent Scholars with a wide range of wraparound supports, postsecondary and workforce advising, and resources for parents to make informed decisions. Instituto’s team provides parents with a trusted advisor who is culturally equipped to set them up for success, regardless of their educational background.
“This first wave of Juárez parents who have made the ultimate decision to pursue their dreams are starting to meaningfully shift mindsets for those families following them.”
Principal JuanCarlos Ocon
Key Action:
Shortly after launching the Parent Scholar Program, it became clear that Pathway Prep (obtaining a GED or English Proficiency) was a real need amongst many prospective Hope Parent Scholars. In partnership with Instituto del Progreso Latino and City Colleges of Chicago, Hope Chicago has now incorporated this option into its portfolio along with workforce and postsecondary options.
Innovation. Results. Systemic Change.
“Chicago’s future as a leading global city will be realized when every family from every neighborhood has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. That’s what Hope Chicago is doing, and in just three short years, we’re already seeing meaningful results. The first wave of skilled, educated and motivated talent is starting to emerge from our state universities, ready to shape Chicago’s future. Together, we’re building a workforce that will transform our families, communities, and industries for generations to come.”
Thank You to our Founding Partners
Stephanie Morimoto & Matt King
We gratefully acknowledge the early leadership investments from Chicago’s civic, business, and philanthropic leaders.
Tony Emerson-Zetina, Crankstart Foundation
“We’ve invested in Hope Chicago because of its bold leadership and innovative approach to serving students and families across the academic spectrum, and because of its dedication to collecting data that will help steer education policy far beyond Chicago.”
$100,000 up to $1,000,000
Bears Care
1 Million+
ALDI
Anonymous
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
BMO
Crankstart Foundation
Brian & Coleen Gelber
Kadens Family Foundation
Koenig Family Foundation
Stephanie Morimoto
& Matt King
Monique & Melvin Rodriguez
Monroe Capital, LLC
Cari & Michael J. Sacks
Tullman Family Office
Walgreens Assistance (WAI)
Winston & Strawn
Wintrust Financial Corporation
Charles C. Cahn, Jr.
The Chicago Community Trust
Liz Smith & Anthony Chimino
CME Group Foundation
Kent & Liz Dauten,
Keystone Capital
Megan & Max DeZara
Alma & Louis Dodd
Allan and Denise Edelson
Family Foundation
Finnegan Family Foundation
V. Gastevich Investments
Caroline Grossinger
Kearney
Marsh McLennan
Agency (MMA)
McDonald’s Corporation
Northwestern Medicine
Polsky Foundation
Pure Edge, Inc.
Vivo Foundation
$10,000 up to $100,000
Anonymous Assurance Caring
Together Foundation
Bonnie & John Atkinson
Bank of America
Claude C. Boles and Marilyn Boles Estate
Kathy Bolhousa
Bolhous Foundation
Elliana & Craig Bondy
Arden & David Brenner
Robert C. and Deborah K.
Bridges Foundation
Sarah & Marc Bushala
Janel Anderberg Callon
Capital One
Cass Family Charitable Fund
CIBC Bank USA
Coca-Cola
Cubs Charities
Geoff & Emily Curtis
Deloitte
Discover Financial Services
DLA Piper
Eleven Eleven Foundation
Emerson Electric
The Eucalyptus Foundation
Festival of Children Foundation
FGMK, LLC
FTI and Julie & Carlin
Adrianopoli
Sonal & Ravin Gandhi
Google
Austan & Robin Goolsbee and The Lumina Foundation
Graycor
JH Philanthropy/Julie & Patrick Hoffmann
Horizon Therapeutics
The Bill Hornell
Memorial Fund
Jerath Family Foundation
The Johnson Family
The Joyce Foundation
JPMorgan Chase
Sunshine & Scott Kapp
Katten Muchin
Rosenman, LLP
Kirkland & Ellis
Courtney & Ari Klein
Levenfeld Pearlstein
Lyon Family Foundation
McKinsey & Company
Mielle Organics
Loop Capital
Robert Nathan
Philanthropic Fund
Northern Trust
Bradley & Kinga Parker
PayPal
PEAK6
Peoples Gas
Teresa Poggenpohl and Stephen Steiner
Christina & Arun Prasad
Protiviti
PwC
Eric A. Reeves
Holly & Jonathan Reinsdorf
Laurette Rondenet
Ilana Seder Rosen & Ben Roach
Michael Rothman
Pamela Roussos & Lee ‘Rosy’ Rosenberg
Jerrold Ruskin Foundation
Sachs Family Foundation
Karen & Jon Skinner
Robin Steans & Leonard Gail
Stryker
Timber Hill Group, LLC
Verizon
The Whole City is Behind Our Scholars
$1,000 up to $10,000
Abbvie
Accenture
Ruth & Charles Adler
Diane & Thomas Allison
Leslie Anderson-Rutland & Dr. Louis Rutland
Anonymous
Leslie & Greg Apter
Susan & Steve Baird
Bonnie & Michael Balkin
Dr. Cynthia Barron
& Leo Barron
Deanna Becker
Jennifer Bell & Jeffrey Brown
L Harrison Bernbaum
Oliver Bevan
Peter Birnbaum
John Bistolfo
Leslie Bluhm & David Helfand
Cecil Booth
Alton Bradley
M Diane Brown
Veronica & TJ Brown
Deborah & Matthew Brown
Kristi & David Brown
Eileen & Jamie Buckley
Buckman Fun Filled
Family Foundation
Candex Solutions
CBRE
Chapman and Cutler, LLP
Lauren & David Chazen
Chicago Urban League
Joseph Chookaszian
Ellen-Blair Chube
Trelinda Clark
Susan Cobin
Austin Collins
Michelle L. Collins
Chanel Coney
Robert Connolly
Dr. Sharon Contreras
Hank Couture
Lynne Crabtree
Keating Crown
Cynthia Culpepper
Cushman & Wakefield
Sim Dawson
Dell Technologies
Alexander Dennis
Douglas Dirks
Roy and Patricia
Disney Family Foundation
Kelly & Damian Dolyniuk
Jeremy Dubow, NDH, LLP
Erin Duffy & Brian Rosen
David Duncan
Dr. Julia Eckersley
Andrea & Marco Ellis
Farpoint Development
Matthew Flesch
Patricia Ford
Frechette Family Foundation
Didi & Doron Friedman
Friedman Family
Alyse & Mike Gamson
Robert Garber
GEM Realty Capital
The Glickenhaus Foundation
Holly & David Goldberg
Gail & Daniel Golden
Goldman Sachs Group
Cornelius Griggs
Guidepost Advisory
Cameron & Paris Hardamon
Robert Harris
Michelle & Bruce Hawver
The Healey Family
Chris Healy
Adolfo Hernandez
Dwight Hilson
Mary Hines
Susan Hojnacki-Lowe
Illinois Tool Works (ITW)
Dr. Janice K. Jackson &
Torrence Price
Katherine Jacob
Jackie Jacobson
Barbara Jenkins
Chardai & Rashod Johnson
Chancellor Robert Jones
Constance Jones
Emily Kadens & Bruce Markell
Judith & Michael Kadens
Joseph Karczewski
Nambi E. Kelley
Marcy & David Kirshenbaum
Julie & Daniel Klaff
Greg Klamrzynski
Tim Kneedy
Mary & Robert Korajczyk
Kovler Family Foundation
David Kucera
Mary Jane & Jeff Kupsky
Cassandra Lems
Brian Ligon
Marc & Jeanne Malnati
Family Foundation
Christa & Brad Martens
James Martin
Aracely Martinez
Erika Maschmeyer
Paul McDonough
Dorri & James McWhorter
Bela Mehta & Adhir Shroff
Jerry Mickelson
Russel Miron
Mary Moffit
Dana & Max Morimoto
MPOWER
Daniel Munro
Kristofer Nagy
National Louis University
Kerbie & Brandon Neal
The Neighborhood Hotel
Michael Nemeroff
David Newport
Kimberly & Scribner
Ochsenschlager
Michael Olentine
Linda Olson
Thomas Parker
Lindsey Peckinpaugh
Abby & Mason Phelps
Martha & Denis Pierce
Julian Posada
Price-Bronson Family
Prime Group, Inc
Pritzker Traubert Foundation
Caryn & Mark Putterman
Abby Reimer
Robert Half
Nancy & Michael Reschke
Daniel Resnick
Richman Family Fund
Ramie & Josh Robbins
Betsy & Randy Rochman
The Roderick Group Foundation, Inc.
Aaronita Rogers
Randee & Rob Romanoff
John Rompon
Joel Rosenbacher
Carolyn & Bennett Rosenthal
Aleja Ross
Savills
Jarrett James, RSM US
Karen Scalise & John Grisolano
Kiara Schuh & Jason Crick
Jill & Brad Seibert
Lauren & Dominic Sergi
Patricia & Gregory Servatius
Dipak Shah
The Sharkey Family Fund at the Chicago Community Foundation
Jessica & Ruben Sigala
Susan & Ty Silberhorn
Jody & Ross Silverman
Maurice Smith
Jessica Snow-Wasserman
Song Farley Family
Fernando Soto
Heidi & William Spizman
Straus Family Foundation
Target
Tempus
Marci Dodds & Cody Sokolski
David Trandel
Jill & Jay Twery
Two Fish Crab Shack
John Vaile
Katrina Veerhusen & Hugh McCombs
Susan Wagner
Watson on Taxes
Lisa Wheeler
Melissa Widen
Jill & David Willcox
Lakesha Wilson Hill
Judy Wise
Elizabeth Wohlleb
Diane Zendejas
“As a proud product of the Chicago Public School system, I know the importance of accessible education and the opportunities that simply getting a chance creates. It’s deeply fulfilling to see the multigenerational impact Hope Chicago has already made and continues to make in simply removing unnecessary barriers for the future of our city through education.”
Leadership
Board of Directors
The Kadens Family Foundation
Monroe Capital, LLC
Mielle Organics
Noble Network of Charter Schools
BMO Financial Group
Stryker
Akoya Capital
Crankstart Foundation
Walgreens Boots Alliance
McDonald’s Corporation
Pritzker Community Health Initiative
JH Philanthropy
Citrine Investment Group
Pacific Gate Capital
HOPE Toledo
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
DLA Piper
UIC Urban Education Leadership Program
YMCA Greater Chicago
Asutra
LiftUp Enterprises
Prospect Park, LLC
FroogalPay
Rosenberg Advisory
PSP Partners
Winston & Strawn
Miss Landa Cakes (Parent Representative)
Executive Leadership Advisory Board
The Kadens Family Foundation
Monroe Capital, LLC
BMO Financial Group
Emerson Collective
Edelman
Sterling Bay
Loop Capital
CIBC Bancorp USA, The Chicago Club, & Northwestern Board of Trustees
Incapital, LLC, InspereX, & The Chicago Cubs
Mielle Organics
BMO Commercial Bank
Wintrust
Young Professionals Board
Victor J. Aberdeen, Wilson Elser
Seth Anderson, Kearney
Nora Becerra, K&L Gates LLP
Deanna Becker, JLL
Grace Bondy, Verano Holdings
Nivia Boykin, Northwestern Medicine
Raven Bryant, Glassdoor
Abir Chippa, Capital One
Joe Chookaszian, MEMX LLC
Tony Coglianese, CBRE
Elise Cowan, OKRP
Steven Cunix, Kearney
Cynthia DeLira, Relativity
Alexander Gastevich, V. Gastevich Investments, LLC
Nicole Grabianowski, Mayer Brown LLP
Michael Hanfland, Apogem Capital
Kelly Hoppesch, Kelly Hoppesch LLC
Alexandra Ivory, Accenture
Emily Jacob, Consultant
Jarrett James, RSM US LLP
Chardai Johnson, BMO Commercial Bank
Michael Koehne Jr, Katalyst Capital
Jordyn Kuhn, RSM US LLP
Ty’Nya Larry, Emerson
Lyric Copeland Lasley, Chicago Tech Academy
Bridget Lee, Academy for Local Leadership
Taylor Danielle Lewis, PayPal
Aracely Martinez, Deloitte
Matthew Muckerheide, Guidwepost Advisory
Elise O’Connor Goodman, Transwestern
Sharee Onyezia, Chicago Public Schools
Drew Osika, Wintrust
Bianca Paiz, The Cristo Rey Network
Shawn Park, Chicago Ventures
Yolanda Ponce, Consultant
Aleja Ross, EY
Jason Schultz, ALDI US
Regina Scruggs, Abbott
Nihar Shah, RME (Rubinos & Mesia Engineers, Inc.)
Danny Shapiro, Scofflaw Group
Megan Sheiker, GEM Realty Capital
Jessica Snow-Wasserman, Capital One
Jenny Song, Navitas Capital
Julia Murtagh Stengle, Accenture
Maggie Sugrue, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
