#ItTakesHope

Success for Illinois Takes Hope

The future of higher education in Illinois is facing some BIG issues: enrollment trends, increasing costs for families, and too many students leaving the system with debt and no degree.

Hope Chicago’s model is forging a path toward renewed postsecondary success for thousands of Illinois families today and tomorrow.

Results Take Hope

  • Photo of Two Hope Scholars in UIUC Apparel Smiling

    Enrollment is Rising

    Three years in, postsecondary enrollment continues to increase at our five partner high schools—from 51% before Hope to 80% now.

  • Photo of UIC Hope Scholars

    Students Are Persisting

    Debt-free completion is the goal of every Hope Scholar and they are on their way.

    Hope Chicago’s first cohort recently produced a 66% increase in the number of students enrolled through two full academic years.

  • Photo of Hope Scholar and Hope Parent Scholar

    Families Are In This Together

    Over 200 Parent Scholars have enrolled in degree and career programs, with 85% of Hope Parent Scholars remaining enrolled after their first year.

…and Hope Takes YOU.

Take steps to support Hope Chicago today.

  • From Chicago to Carbondale, our elected officials want Illinois to lead a new national postsecondary success story. To effectively meet this goal, they need to understand Scholar experiences.

    Whether in person, written letter, or shared over social media, we encourage you to connect with your elected officials at all levels of government so they are aware of you and your needs.

  • If you are attending Hope Chicago’s Day of Action in Springfield, Illinois, we encourage you to document your experiences in photo and video form. Your cell phone is a great tool to do this. By capturing your journey at the Capitol, you can help show others the unique events from our Day of Action.   If you can’t join us in-person, film a short video of yourself selfie-style telling us why you support Hope Chicago.

    The Hope Chicago team will be using the hashtag #ItTakesHope on social media platforms on Tuesday. We encourage you to use the same hashtag and tag @HopeChicagoEDU when posting your experiences and/or support on social media.

  • Our stories grow with time. Our Day of Action is one event in a series of larger conversations Hope Chicago is attempting to have about advocating for continued State funding for Hope Chicago, i.e. more accessible and equitable pathways to higher education in Illinois.

    We encourage you to maintain communication with your representatives. Whether advocating for your own personal cause or getting more involved in your community, regular communications with your elected officials will help them better represent you, and the issues important to you, in Springfield.

Photo of Hope Scholars with Illinois State Senator Elgie Sims Jr.

#ItTakesHope on Social

It Takes Hope Square Social Image Card

#LeadwithHope Social Image Cards (Click each image download to your device)

It Takes Hope 4x5 Social Image Card

Drafted Social Post :

(Copy the text below, adapt it, or write your own. We appreciate your support.)

👋 (@Elected Official’s Handle)

Reinvestment in @HopeChicagoEDU is critical for all of Illinois. As your constituent, I am asking you to continue this partnership so Illinois families and communities have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential today and tomorrow. #ItTakesHope

Follow and Tag @HopeChicagoEDU on Social Media

Thank you for your support.