Hope Chicago Family,
Hope is real – and it lives in Chicago.
The neighborhoods of our city are full of promise, potential, and gifts. They contain the aspirations of families, our city, and our state. Over the past four years, Hope Scholars and Parent Scholars from our partner high schools have demonstrated that when the amazing gifts of our families intersect with opportunity, hope rises.
I am honored to lead the Hope Chicago movement at this moment in our history. I am grateful to all of you, especially our Founding Partners, Board, staff, and my dynamic predecessor, Dr. Janice K. Jackson, for building such an incredible engine of impact in such a short time.
My career in higher education has been dedicated to seeing the gifts in others and creating pathways for those gifts to flourish. With its unique whole-school, multigenerational, multi-pathway approach, Hope Chicago is - in my view - a once-in-a-lifetime demonstration of the enormous potential of our neighborhoods to power economic mobility from within.
We know that when we invest and remove barriers to opportunities, hope rises. We know that multi-generational educational attainment drives economic mobility for families, and when that is multiplied year after year, for hundreds of families in a handful of communities, it yields economic growth for our neighborhoods. That growth – that hope – fuels our entire state, and everyone wins. I joined Hope Chicago
determined to support families in their pursuit of educational attainment and to help Chicago become a beacon for debt-free, employer-linked, talent-retaining, economyboosting postsecondary opportunity.
This is a crucial moment in our city, our state, and in the history of our country. Our Hope Parents and Hope Scholars are proving what is possible. To build on their momentum, we need a broad coalition of partners, employers, change-makers, and leaders to continue to advance toward what is possible. Having your hands on our 2025 Impact Report means that you are a key part of that community of change-makers. Thank you!! Your financial support, your investment in our partner schools and our scholars, your mentorship and networking, and your ideas for what we can accomplish in our city are driving us forward.
I can’t wait for what is ahead in this chapter of Hope Chicago’s story, and all that means for our families and our communities! Hope is real - and it lives in Chicago!
With Hope,
Aaron Kuecker, EdD CEO, Hope Chicago
CONTENTS Table of
OPPORTUNITY When We Deliver
Hope Chicago’s Partner High School Communities
Prior to Hope Chicago, University of Chicago researchers estimated that just...
15 out of every 100
9th graders at these high schools in 2021 would complete a postsecondary education within 10 years.
Benito Juárez Community Academy, Pilsen
Farragut Community Academy, Little Village
Morgan Park High School, Morgan Park
Noble Johnson College Prep, Englewood
Al Raby School for Community and Environment, East Garfield Park
Four years in, Hope Scholars
CHALLENGE ASSUMPTIONS AND RAISE EXPECTATIONS
SHOCK SYSTEM College Enrollment Gains
Hope Chicago’s partner schools are climbing up the rankings for college enrollment rate among Ilinois’ nearly 700 public high schools.
*Projected rankings for the Class of 2025 are based on the most recent available statewide data (2023) from The Illinois State Board of Education’s Report Card Data Library.
Parents
With Scholars
No More Dreams Deferred at Juárez
Dreams delayed, or never pursued, are a heavy burden on families and whole communities. For many of my 18 years at Benito Juarez Community Academy, the summer after graduation was bittersweet. So many of our graduating families—filled with accomplishment and ready to navigate a first-generation college experience—are confronted by obstacles like cost, access, distance, and a lack of support. Too many end up leaving college acceptance letters on their kitchen tables, opting for safer but ultimately more limiting choices. It happened over and over, and I had neither the answer nor the resources to change this reality.
We need opportunities like Hope Chicago in every neighborhood. All students deserve access to options after high school, not just those in certain schools and certain neighborhoods. Yes, there are obstacles, but one thing is for certain: when given the chance, Chicago kids make the most of it. We’re seeing it first-hand at Juárez.
We must keep this going— for more families in more communities.
- Principal Juan Carlos Ocon
More South and West Side Students
PERSISTING IN COLLEGE, OUTPERFORMING PEERS
1-Year persistence for Al Raby omitted due to small cohort sizes disproportionately impacting school rankings.
Parent Scholars’ 1-Year Persistence
FAR EXCEEDS NATIONAL AVERAGE
- Hope Scholar Persistence Data Sourced by the To&Through Project. - Parent Scholar persistence reflects National Student Clearinghouse Research Center vs Hope Chicago Internal data.
RISING TOGETHER Two Generations
By August of 2023, Jamia was frustrated and on the brink of losing her scholarship eligibility. Her first year of college had not gone as planned at a downstate university three hours away from her home on the South Side of Chicago. Her mother,
Shaunte, was on the phone weekly with her daughter all through that first year, and she had a pivot plan; come home, reset your educational foundation, and go to school with me at City Colleges of Chicago.
Shaunte, was a Hope Parent Scholar enrolled at Harold Washington College, pursuing her Associate’s Degree in Business. As an adult learner stepping back into the classroom after more than a decade of motherhood, she appreciated the small class sizes and the opportunity to connect with her professors one-on-one in and out of class. Now with her daughter now returning to live at home and study alongside her, Shaunte felt even more motivated to succeed.
I had tried college once, but had to stop in 2011 to handle life. I’ve always wanted to show my children what I can do as a college student, to lead by example, and do better. When Jamia came home, I knew we could do this together.
For Jamia, the transition was exactly what she needed. Motivated by her mother and re-energized by being around family, she was driven to bounce back after a tough first year. She soon enrolled at Olive-Harvey College to pursue an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice. “I struggled with being a procrastinator. But seeing my mom go to work overnight and then stay up to do her classwork even as she’s managing the house, taking care of grandma, raising a family… That was my strongest motivation.”
Together, the semesters flew by until May 2025, when Shaunte walked across the graduation stage at the City Colleges of Chicago commencement ceremony, having earned her Associate’s Degree. It was a moment decades in the making. She has since transferred to National Louis University to pursue a Bachelor’s in Business. Jamia is right behind her on the same 2-to-4-year track. By the end of the Fall 2025 semester, she will have completed her Associate’s Degree at Richard J. Daley College and plans to start at Chicago State University in Spring 2026 to pursue her dream of becoming a defense attorney.
Having come to Springfield from the higher education space, I’m excited that the state has partnered with Hope Chicago. Their two-generation model to support Illinois families is not only transforming postsecondary outcomes for students today, but helping our universities and policymakers better position our higher education system to sustain and thrive into the future.
Dr. Michael Crawford
llinois State Representative, District 31
I strongly believe in Hope Chicago’s approach to deeply invest in whole school communities, expanding access and opportunity for Illinois families to reach for their fullest potential. Their results to date, and those to come, are not only helping chart a path forward for higher education in Illinois, but they are showcasing the incredible talent and leadership growing from the Southwest Side.
Edgar Gonzalez Jr. llinois State Representative, District
23
THANK YOU, Dr. Jackson
Founding CEO 2021-2025
From one devoted parent to another, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Janice Jackson for her dedication and hard work. You are a passionate, visionary leader who has done so much for our communities. As a Hope Chicago Parent Scholar, I truly appreciate everything you do for all Chicago families.
Dr. Janice Jackson’s visionary leadership has fundamentally advanced educational opportunity throughout Chicago. Through our partnership with Hope Chicago, we have witnessed her steadfast dedication to equity and her conviction that every student deserves not only entry into higher education, but the comprehensive support necessary to excel. As the founding CEO of Hope Chicago and a distinguished alumna of Chicago State University, Dr. Jackson’s enduring influence will continue to shape the success of South and West Side families for years to come.
Zaldwaynaka “Z” Scott President, Chicago State University
Thank you, Dr. Jackson, for being such an inspiring trailblazer. Your passion, leadership, and unwavering dedication to Hope Chicago continues to motivate us all. We truly appreciate the light you bring and the impact you make everyday.
Anaiah O’Neal Hope Scholar Graduate, Chicago State University
Dr. Jackson’s visionary leadership and unwavering determination have been instrumental to Hope Chicago’s success, driving transformative change in the city’s education landscape not once, but twice. Her enduring legacy is reflected in the lives of thousands of families and the lasting, positive shift she has created across Chicago.
Jason Schultz Community Engagement & Charitable Giving Manager, ALDI USA
Thank You to Dr. Jackson and Hope Chicago.
Just as Instituto has long believed in the power of education to lift entire communities, Hope Chicago is redefining what equity in higher education looks like by including parents alongside their children in this journey.
We are so proud to stand together, making generational change possible—one family, one dream, and one future at a time.
Karina Ayala-Bermejo President & CEO Instituto Del Progresso Latino
Dr. Jackson’s bold vision and tireless dedication gave life to Hope Chicago and hope to thousands of families. I am deeply grateful for her extraordinary leadership and lasting impact.
Constance “CJ” Jones Vice-Chair, Hope Chicago
My father was a big believer that education and hard work were the keys to lifting people up to a better and more fulfilling life.
My husband and I wanted to find a way to honor his legacy and discovered the perfect organization to do that with - Hope Chicago!
We love the comprehensive approach that supports students and their parents both financially and emotionally to achieve their dreams.
Diana and Bill Atkins
$1 Million+
ALDI
Anonymous
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
BMO
Crankstart Foundation
Coleen & Brian Gelber
Kadens Family Foundation
Koenig Family Foundation & Monroe Capital
McDonald’s Corporation
Stephanie Morimoto & Matt King
Cari & Michael J. Sacks
Tullman Family Office
Winston & Strawn LLP
Wintrust Financial
$100K up to $1 Million
Anonymous
Bears Care
Charles C. Cahn Jr.
Capital One
Chicago Community Trust
CME Group Foundation
The Crown Family
Megan & Max DeZara
Alma & Louis Dodd
Allan & Denise
Edelson Family Foundation
Finnegan Family Foundation
V. Gastevich Investments
Caroline Grossinger
The Johnson Family Foundation
Kearney
Knight Impact Partners
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
The Joseph Pedott Legacy Fund
Protiviti
Pamela Roussos & Lee ‘Rosy’ Rosenberg
Schreiber Philanthropy
Liz Smith & Anthony Chimino
Vivo Foundation
$10K up to $100K
Susan Abrams
Accenture
Julie & Carlin Adrianopoli
Paul M. Angell Family Foundation
Aon
Diana & Bill Atkins
Lester & Diane Boles
Bolhous Foundation
Give Forward Foundation
Robert C & Deborah K Bridges Foundation
Eileen & Jamie Buckley
Cass Family Charitable Fund
CIBC Bank USA
Citadel Cresset
Emily & Geoff Curtis
Dalesandro/Alfaro Family
Deloitte
DLA Piper
Emerson Electric
The Eucalyptus Foundation
The Feldman Family Charitable Fund
FGMK
FTI Consulting
Alyse & Mike Gamson
Tom Gimbel
Graycor
The Healey Family
Julie & Patrick Hoffmann
The Bill Hornell Memorial Fund
The Huss Family
Irving Harris Foundation
Jacob and Jessica Herschend
Charitable Fund
Emily & Jason Jacob
Jerath Family Foundation
Dorothy Jiganti
Chardai & Rashod Johnson
The Joyce Foundation
Sunny & Scott Kapp
Wendy Lane Lawson Trust
Levenfeld Pearlstein
Loop Capital
Magellan Development Group
Dorri & James McWhorter
Mielle Organics
Annie & Robby Nathan PayPal
Peoples Gas
Perkins&Will
PNC
Kathryn Price & Joe Bronson
Pritzker Traubert Foundation
Eric A. Reeves & Family
Nancy & Michael Reschke
Melvin & Monique Rodriguez, Mielle Cares
Ilana Rosen & Ben Roach
Joel Rosenbacher
Jenny & Pete Rosenstein
Jennifer & Michael Rothman
Sachs Family Foundation
Karen & Jon Skinner
Robin Steans & Leonard Gail
Nancy Straus & Barney Sachs Straus
Stryker
Timber Hill Group LLC
Verizon
White & Case LLP
Mitch Wilneff
THE WHOLE CITY is Behind Our Scholars
$1K up to $10K
A Better Chicago
Abbott
Melissa Ackerman
Dave Adams, Conduit Security
Ruth & Charles Adler
Akoya Capital
Diane & Tom Allison
Philip Alphonse
Leslie Anderson-Rutland & Dr. Louis Rutland
Anonymous
Bonnie & Michael Balkin
Dr. Cynthia Barron & Leo Barron
Andrea Berdusco
L. Harrison Bernbaum
Patricia Berntson-Hancey
Oliver Bevan
Bilow Friedman Family
Peter Birnbaum
Kate & Andrew Bluestein
Christina Boots
Mindy & Kyle Brack
Bravanti
Bridgespan Group Inc
Kristi & David Brown
Veronica & TJ Brown
Buckman Fun Filled Family Foundation
Jenny & Tommer Butman
Jessica & Brendan Carter
Kathleen & Daniel Carver
CDW
Jennifer & Dr. Roger Chams
Cynthia Chereskin
Chicago Bulls Charities
Maya & Abir Chippa
Thomas Chookaszian
Vernice & Jason Clark
Trelinda Clark
Clayco
Katie Coleman
Austin Collins
Comcast
Shonta & Duane Connolly
Sharon Contreras
Tarrah Cooper Wright
Tess & Andrew Cross
Cynthia Culpepper
Sarah Cunningham & Michael Koehne
Yasmin Curtis
Carl D’Silva
Brandi Davis
Nicole & Martin Davis
Sim Dawson
Shaw Decremer
Cynthia DeLira-Rendon
Dell Technologies
Douglas Dirks
Marci Dodds & Cody Sokolski
Jeremy Dubow
Erin Duffy & Brian Rosen
Gordon DuGan
Julia Eckersley & Ian Morrison
Shana & Peter M. Ellis, Reed Smith LLP
Lisa Emerick-Iaconetti & Pat Iaconetti
Ani & Armen Emrikian
Clothilde “Clo” Ewing
Exelon
Lisa Schneider Fabes
& Brian Fabes
Financial Investment Corporation
Matthew Flesch
Eliza & Dave Fournier
Friedman Family
Mark Fuller
Karen & Mark Furlong
GEM Realty Capital
Kate & John Gilligan
Lizzie & Sonny Ginsberg
Gail & Daniel Golden
Goldman Sachs Group
Emma & Michael Gonda
Chancellor Marie Lynn Miranda
Nicole Goodman
Nicole Grabianowski & Julian Einfrank
Margaret & Mark Graham
Pamela Schoeff-Groth & Gary Groth
Haukur Gudmundsson
Katie Hanfland
Michael Hanfland
Yvonne Hao & Mark Wu
Cameron & Paris Hardamon
Bruce Harmon
The Healy Family
Charsetta Henderson
Margaret Heneghan
Lee Hillman
Dwight Hilson
Laurie & Andrew Hochberg
Susan Hojnacki-Lowe
Lindsay Housner
Megan & Daniel Hugo
Illinois Tool Works (ITW)
Insperity
Ishbia Family Foundation
Dr. Janice Jackson & Torrence Price
Mia Jackson
Constance Ranae Jones
Chancellor Robert J. Jones
Charity & Rev. John C. Jones
JPMorganChase
Jamie Kadar & Jon Skaggs
Judith & Michael Kadens
Emily Kadens & Bruce Markell
Devin Kidner
Patricia Kingery
Heather Korsvik
Jenn & John Koutoupis
Nicholas Koziak
Karen & Liam Krehbiel
Greer & Jeremy Kudon
Dr. Aaron J. Kuecker
Mary Jane & Jeff Kupsky
Stephen Lenz, Perkins&Will
Taylor Lewis
Brian Ligon
Lily Endowment Inc
Jewell Loyd
Nikki & Michael Lubesnik
Lyon Family Foundation
James Martin
Aracely Martinez
Peter Martinez
Ann Masur
Mayer Brown
Lynne & Paul McDonough
McKinsey & Company
Jerry Mickelson
Russel Miron
Anne Marie Mitchell & John Bistolfo
MMA Cares
Mary Moffit
Dana & Max Morimoto
Lois Morrison
Jackie Moss
Daniel Munro
Kiersten & Virag Nanavati
National Louis University
Navitas Capital
David Newport
Bruce & Erika Novak Foundation
Kimberly & Scribner Ochsenschlager
OKRP
Linda Olson
Bianca Paiz
Thomas Parker
Dharti Patel & Thomas Seagraves
Lynne & Christopher Peckham
Lindsey Peckinpaugh
Molly Peters
Martha & Denis Pierce
Teresa Poggenpohl & Stephen Steiner
PSM Partners LLC
Julian Posada
Marcia & Carr Preston
Abby Reimer
The Retirement Research Foundation
Larry Richman
Cindy S. Moelis & Robert S. Rivkin
John Robak
Betsy & Randy Rochman
Ralonda & Larry Rogers
Randee & Rob Romanoff
Carolyn & Bennett Rosenthal
RSM US Foundation
Richard W. Rupp Foundation
Saul Ewing
Karen Scalise & John Grisolano
Nicole & Alex Schneider
President Zaldwaynaka “Z” Scott
Jill & Brad Seibert
Lauren & Dominic Sergi
Niketa & Nihar Shah
Jessica & Ruben Sigala
Jody & Ross Silverman
Hanna Skinner
Jessica & Greg Snow-Wasserman
Song Farley Family
Donna & Steve Spearman
Jennifer Steans & James Kastenholz
Tyler Stephens
STG Divorce Law, P.C.
Missy & Matt Stock
Michele Tam & Jason Ramski
Erick Tarula
Leah Taylor
Leonora & Min Teng
Anne & Sean Toohey
Jordan Troy
Taneka Tucker
Jessica & Ryan Turf
Jill & Jay Twery
United Airlines
John Vaile
Vedder Price
Robert Von Halle
Jill Vorobiev
Tanesha Wade
Melissa Walsh
Julie & Larry Wert
Caryl West
Ryan B. Willis
Lakesha Wilson Hill
Eric Wittenberg
Anne Marie Wright
Aishatu Yusuf & Tony Emerson-Zetina
Diane Zendejas
PayPal supports Hope Chicago because it opens pathways for students and their parents to become tomorrow’s entrepreneurs and small-business owners,” said Jackie Koesters, Senior Director of Product Management and Chicago Site Co-Lead, PayPal. “We’re proud to help power Hope’s momentum in advancing equitable access to the educational opportunities and resources that will help today’s generation become the resilient and innovative leaders of tomorrow.
Jackie Koesters
Senior Director, Product Management, PayPal
LEADERSHIP
Pete Kadens
Theodore L. Koenig
Melvin Rodriguez
Constance Jones
Carlin Adrianopoli
Leslie J. Anderson
Eileen Buckley
Board of Directors
Max DeZara
Tony Emerson Zetina
Sherry Ettleson
Aaron Friedman
Julie Hoffmann
Lynn Jerath
Joyce Johnson Miller
Reverand John C. Jones
Scott Kapp
Peter Martinez
Dorri McWhorter
Stephanie Morimoto
Martin Ozinga
Julian Posada
Eric A. Reeves
Lee “Rosy” Rosenberg
Jon Skinner
Cardelle Spangler
Yolanda White
The Kadens Family Foundation
Monroe Capital LLC
Mielle Organics
Noble Network of Charter Schools
FTI Consulting
BMO Financial Group
Stryker
Akoya Capital
Crankstart Foundation
DRG Talent
Consultant
JH Philanthropy
Citrine Investment Group
Pacific Gate Capital
HOPE Toledo
DLA Piper
UIC Urban Education Leadership Program
The Executives’ Club of Chicago
Asutra
Ozinga
LiftUp Enterprises
Prospect Park LLC
Rosenberg Advisory
PSP Partners
Winston & Strawn
Childtime Learning Centers (Parent Representative)
Executive Leadership Advisory Board
Pete Kadens
Theodore L. Koenig
David R. Casper
Arne Duncan
Richard Edelman
Andy Gloor
James Reynolds
Larry Richman
Tom Ricketts
Monique Rodriguez
Eric M. Smith
Ed Wehmer
The Kadens Family Foundation
Monroe Capital, LLC
BMO Financial Group
Emerson Collective
Edelman
Sterling Bay
Loop Capital
CIBC Bancorp USA, The Chicago Club, and Northwestern Board of Trustees
Incapital, LLC, InspereX, and The Chicago Cubs
Mielle Organics
BMO Commercial Bank
Wintrust
Young Professionals Board
Victor Aberdeen, Wilson Elsner
Seth Anderson, Kearney
Nora Becerra, K&L Gates LLP
Deanna Becker, JLL
Raven Bryant, Consultant
Abir Chippa, PwC
Joe Chookaszian, MEMX LLC
Elise Cowan, OKRP
Cynthia DeLira, Code Your Dreams
Nicole Dessibourg-Freer, Kearney
Jasmine Gibbs, Loop Capital
Nicole Grabianowski, Mayer Brown LLP
Michael Hanfland, Apogem Capital
Kelly Hoppesch, Kelly Hoppesch LLC
Emily Jacob, Consultant
Jarrett James, RSM US LLP
Amanda Johnson, Jones Day
Chardai Johnson, BMO Commercial Bank
Michael Koehne Jr., Maxim Partners LLC
Ashley Kranz, Aon
Jordyn Kuhn, RSM US LLP
Ty’Nya Larry, Emerson
Bridget Lee, Academy for Local Leadership
Stephen Lenz, Perkins and Will
Taylor Lewis, PayPal
Aracely Martinez, Deloitte
Matthew Muckerheide, Guidepost Advisory
Julia Murtagh Stengle, Accenture
Carla Nguenti, Loop Capital
Sharee Onyezia, The College Board
Drew Osika, Wintrust
Bianca Paiz, The Cristo Rey Network
Yolanda Ponce, InUrban Strategies
Aleja Ross, EY
Jason Schultz, ALDI US
Nihar Shah, RME (Rubinos and Mesia Engineers, Inc.)
Danny Shapiro, Scofflaw Group
Jessica Snow-Wasserman, Capital One
Jenny Song, Navitas Capital
Maggie Sugrue, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
Douglas Taylor, Transcarent
Catie Tootle, Affinitiv
Jordan Troy, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Derek Ward, Gilbane Construction Co.
Zach Winder, Transcarent
FINANCIALS
Revenue Sources
Since 2021
As the Class of 2025 (the largest Hope Scholar cohort to date) stepped onto college campuses this fall, Hope Chicago announced additional investments in its five partner high schools-extending a new promise to families from the Class of 2026.
