Boys Hope Girls Hope is an international charitable organization founded in 1977. Its mission is "to nurture and guide motivated young people in need to become well-educated, career-ready men and women for others." The program is long-term, ranging from middle school through high school, to college graduation and career launch. Participation in the program is voluntary. Young people are identified for application through referrals, and are selected to participate based on need and motivation. Participants are referred to as “scholars” and are enrolled in strong schools, often private, and provided academic, social-emotional, spiritual, and life skills and support. In addition, scholars participate in regular community service projects to promote becoming "persons for others," which is a Jesuit-inspired value of developing character through service-learning related to social justice and civic responsibility.