Boys Hope Girls Hope of Southern California

The mission of Boys Hope Girls Hope is to nurture and guide motivated young people in need to become well-educated, career-ready men and women for others.

 Boys Hope Girls Hope is a long-term housing and academic scholarship program for underserved youth. We provide up to eight years of family-style housing in two Orange County homes for children ages 10–18, along with scholarships to college preparatory high schools and universities.

Founded in 1977 by educator Paul Sheridan, SJ, the program supports the whole person—offering academic, emotional, and social guidance through tutoring, mentoring, counseling, and extracurricular activities. Scholars also receive ongoing support through college.

Boys Hope Girls Hope of Southern California, established in 1991, brings this life-changing opportunity to local youth, helping them break the cycle of disadvantage through education and stability.
 

Boys Hope Girls Hope measures its success by the achievements of the scholars we serve.

This year’s accomplishments include:

All of our recent graduates are enrolled in colleges such as Berkeley, University of Irvine, California, University of Washington, and NYU amongst others.

Expanding our support to serve a greater number of collegians in the upcoming academic year.

Our goals for the coming year are:

Maintaining full capacity in our residences following the graduation of four seniors.

Increasing fundraising revenue.

Developing and launching a non-residential scholar support program.

Some of our more pressing needs include: capacity building workshops/grants, opportunities for staff training/development, in-kind donations of: food, gas cards, cleaning supplies, hygiene supplies, kitchenware, clothes, and all other "household goods".

Boys Hope Girls Hope is an international organization operating out of 12 locations in the United States and 2 in South America. We are the Southern California affiliate serving San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange County.

Boys Hope Girls Hope is committed to helping academically capable and motivated youth in need reach their full potential—and grow into compassionate, service-minded adults. We do this by providing long-term housing in family-like homes, access to quality education, and ongoing support through college graduation.

In Orange County alone, over 28,000 students in public schools experience homelessness, according to the California Department of Education. These children face enormous challenges—unstable housing, food insecurity, poverty, limited access to transportation, unsafe neighborhoods, and chronic stress. These conditions too often derail young lives and perpetuate the cycle of poverty.

But among these youth are bright, driven students who simply need stability and opportunity. That’s where Boys Hope Girls Hope steps in.

We operate two homes in Orange County—one for boys and one for girls—where scholars live in a safe, supportive environment with their basic needs fully met. This foundation allows them to focus on what matters most: their education and personal growth.

Our scholars receive high school scholarships to attend Mater Dei or Rosary Academy—top-tier institutions that prepare them academically and socially for college success. Upon graduation, our alumni are awarded scholarships to the universities of their choice and continue to receive mentorship and support throughout their college journey.

Together, we can break cycles of poverty and unlock incredible potential. I look forward to partnering with you to empower the next generation.

As a privately funded program, Boys Hope Girls Hope looks to the community for support. Without your gracious investment into our scholars’ futures, Boys Hope Girls Hope would be unable to provide caring and stable homes as well as life-changing opportunities.

Your generosity allows these deserving scholars to live in safe and happy homes, have opportunities for enrichment, positive parenting, high quality college preparatory education, and college scholarships. It grants our scholars the HOPE they need to fulfill their own hopes. Your investment in our youth will return a thousand-fold to our nation as our scholars become model citizens. You have given not just to our kids, but to all the people and communities who will be touched their productive adult lives.

It has been said many times over; it takes a village to raise a child. We hold strongly to that truth and wholeheartedly appreciate your belief in our program and ultimately, our scholars.