Program

They have the ability.
We supply the opportunity.

At Hope Ignites New York, Scholars enter our community through one of two pathways: the Academy or the Residential Program.

Through integrated academic instruction, social-emotional development, residential support when needed, and access to transformative learning and career experiences, scholars gain the tools, relationships, and opportunities necessary to achieve long-term success.

two female scholars in partner school heading to academy after school program

Who We Serve

Hope Ignites New York partners with motivated young people at a pivotal transition into high school.

Scholars typically enter at ages 13–14, just before ninth grade, beginning a structured, long-term pathway that provides the support, stability, and access needed to succeed in high school, persist through college, and transition into career.

Scholars selected for Hope Ignites New York demonstrate both the readiness and potential to thrive within a rigorous, holistic, and relationship-driven environment. They:

  • Engage in college-preparatory academic work with focus and discipline

  • Demonstrate integrity, emerging leadership, and a commitment to growth

  • Benefit from structure, stability, and a values-centered community

  • Embrace high expectations and actively participate in a comprehensive program

  • Foster positive relationships with peers and trusted adults

  • Are supported by families or guardians who partner in upholding program expectations

What unites the young people we serve is their potential.

We’re Beyond A Short-term Solution.

WE TAKE A LONG-TERM AND COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH.

This comprehensive programming happens over a long-term process, in a culture of belonging.

Hope Ignites Scholars begin their journey with us in middle school and stay with us through high school, college, and career launch. Whether in our Academy or Residential pathway, Scholars move along together as we channel their energy and leverage their talents, strengths, and passions into an individual plan that helps them reach their full potential.

In addition to help with their academics, all Scholars learn basic skills they need to live happy, productive lives, such as budgeting, communication skills, household chores, planning for the future, following a recipe, travel basics, and opening a bank account.

Hope Ignites Scholars are taught to become people for others—to live with purpose and give back to others in need. This is reinforced through community service; dialogue about important global and local issues; and the development of their own passions for social justice and being a change maker in their family and community.

Hope Ignites Scholars get ongoing academic support such as tutoring and college preparatory coaching. Residential scholars receive an academic scholarship, affording them an opportunity to get a first-class education at one of our partner schools.

Hope Ignites programming includes social & emotional awareness and physical activities that promote all-around health and well-being. Scholars are encouraged to explore their own spirituality as a critical part of living a healthy, well-adjusted life. All Scholars are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities that feed their purpose and passion.

Our career preparation and leadership programming helps scholars identify their strengths and talents and what future careers they are interested in. Then, with mentoring, setting educational goals, planning, assistance with jobs and internships, as well as mock interviews and other experiential opportunities, we help get them there. Hope Ignites remains a network of support for our Alumni.

How We Provide This Hope

All of this depth is delivered during Academy hours, while even more nurturing is provided for those who experience the Residential Pathway.

Academy

Academy is our year-round academic and leadership program for high school Scholars. Through after-school programming, workshops, field trips, college tours, service experiences, and summer opportunities, Scholars build the skills, confidence, and support systems needed to thrive academically and personally.

We offer optional ways to aid in scholar success. Virtual tutoring for math, sciences, and languages and in-person study halls are all available to scholars daily.

We focus a lot on the support of scholars’ academic success. Directors of Academic Success will hold one-on-one meetings to discuss semester goals and planning, while full-time support staff members are assigned to a cohort of scholars to advise.

Outside experts come in to hold sessions in financial literacy for each class.

Conducted at the end of each quarter, families come in for scheduled appointments where they meet with academic advisors and program staff to discuss in depth the scholars’ current academic, behavioral, and social-emotional progress and well-being within the residence and the program.

This supplementary programming provides upperclassmen with the opportunity to expose/advance their skill set in areas of interest. The younger scholars will be provided with basic reading, writing, and mathematics support during the summer to prevent summer learning loss.

During Community Day our scholars gather to have fun, connect and receive education in a specific area of focus. The monthly themes tap into political, personal, academic, and creative areas that push our scholars into new spaces and places. This is an effort that has been successful with deepening our scholar’s connection to the work we do. ​All scholars and staff are present for the festivities!

Residential

The Residential Program provides a safe, structured, college-prep living environment for a small number of Scholars who live at the Residence while attending high school. Residential Scholars participate fully in the after-school Academy programming alongside their peers while also receiving additional daily support, mentorship, and stability within the home environment.

The scholars apply to be a part of the student leadership council in the role of “Residential Assistants” or “Program Assistants”. The assistants are elected position voted by their fellow scholars. RAs & PAs are leaders within the dorm and act as role models for younger students, hosts for prospective scholars and guests, and representatives of our program to our stakeholders and partners.

Each week, all scholars meet collectively as a brotherhood/sisterhood and are led by program staff. The aim is to reconnect after the weekend, foster cohesion, support one another, share thoughts and ideas, and begin the week as a grounded, connected community.

A volunteer opportunity where guests from our extended network join the scholars for dinner at the dorm and share with them their experiences in high school and college, speak on their past and present career prospects, and impart any wisdom and insight to our scholars.

With the cultural landscape of NYC in our backyard, we encourage staff and volunteers to take advantage of the many opportunities for cultural enrichment throughout the city by taking scholars to exhibit openings, open mic nights, museum visits, and more.

Collegians

After high school graduation, Scholars continue their journey through our Post-Secondary Success Program. Whether pursuing a 2-year college, 4-year university, trade school, certification, apprenticeship, or workforce training pathway, Scholars continue receiving individualized support as they transition into adulthood and career readiness.

During college application season, senior scholars receive individual support and attention to assist with completing their college applications and forms.

Conducted both locally and regionally, scholars from 9th grade through 12th grade get to learn about different colleges by being on a campus and learning more about the schools through tours and meetings with the college admissions departments.

Senior scholars receive individualized support, along with their families, on how to navigate the financial aid process through scholarships, grants, opportunity programs, and completing the FAFSA.

A three-day session with seniors, staff, and volunteers where seniors are receiving feedback on their college essay supplements and personal statements.

Geared toward first-generation college-going scholars, weekly workshops are led by the Director of College Access and Alumni Support to provide pertinent information for navigating the complex college process.

Wellness Services

The Hope Ignites New York Wellness Services Program aims to offer scholars and families a safe and confidential space to process feelings, experiences, and ideas as well as express themselves through art-making, collaboration, and interpersonal communication.

Through weekly scheduled one-on-one sessions, group projects including virtual art making and counseling and bi-weekly collections of therapeutic resources like yoga, breathing exercises, wellness apps and fitness videos. Scholar families are also supported through resources and referrals.

Regular meetings with scholars are available either weekly or biweekly upon need, referral, or request. Outside referrals can and are always made in communication with parent/guardians.

Quarterly Parent Workshops are offered and available to any parent desiring additional support in various topics covering teen-themed issues and how to dialogue about them.

Family Therapy sessions for acute or ongoing communication issues, conflict resolution, and connectedness are available upon need, as well as referrals for outside therapeutic services. The goal is to offer families exactly what they need individually and personally, both within and outside of Hope Ignites.

My Road is Hope Ignites’ signature core curriculum, a dynamic pathway of activities, assessments, and milestones that guide scholars through every stage of their academic, emotional, social, and spiritual growth. It is a personalized roadmap that helps each young person set goals, track progress, and build the skills needed to thrive in college and beyond. Through My Road, scholars connect with peers, collegians, alumni, and mentors across the Hope Ignites Network, creating a powerful community of shared learning and purpose-driven leadership. Combined with in-school excellence, college-preparatory experiences, and opportunities for service and reflection, My Road ensures that every scholar is equipped not just to succeed, but to lead with confidence and conviction.

The Hope Ignites Network
There’s power in numbers. As a part of the Hope Ignites Network, our scholars benefit from programming, resources, partnerships, research, scholarship funds, and shared best practices. Our program uniquely offers a combination of deep local impact and the benefit of diverse international perspectives and interactions. Our scholars, collegians, alumni, and team members come together with other impact-driven individuals, maximizing opportunities to share, support, solve problems, and serve.

Our Network includes Hope Ignites Network Headquarters and affiliates across the U.S. and Latin America. All Hope Ignites affiliates ascribe to the same research-supported Program Model and Theory of Change. We’re proud of the support, and connections we receive from our Network!

ABOUT OUR NETWORK