Our Impact in Cincinnati

The scholars are what inspire me. I love working with them. The time I spend with them, whether eating dinner with them or working on homework together, is what keeps me coming back. I love how well I get along with the scholars, and I feel like I have become friends with most of them. They make me laugh and bring joy to my life.

I am inspired to volunteer with Hope Ignites because I want to help youth in our community. I feel that volunteering here is an avenue where I can make change for the better.  The kids keep me coming back. I enjoy seeing them learn and grow. 

One moment that really impacted me with a student was being bilingual. This allowed me to connect with him more deeply. Seeing that he gained confidence speaking to me in Spanish, he started asking more questions. We went over his notes over and over. I realized that sometimes, you simply need support in the language you feel most comfortable with, and someone who understands you. 

Before Hope Ignites, I never thought about college, entrepreneurship, opportunities of growth in corporate America, and many other things. Hope Ignites provided me and provides our scholars with opportunities and shows them that there’s a bigger world out there than the one we came from. It’s all about changing circumstances and showing our scholars that there is a chance.