When David Putman started school at Bond Hill Elementary, he never saw
himself as a freshman at one of the region's top high schools. But after
three years in
Cincinnati's Boys Hope Girls Hope residential program, Putman has transformed himself into just that.
No longer a shy and tentative boy surrounded by drama and distraction,
Putman carries himself with confidence. He shakes hands firmly, makes
eye contact directly and smiles spontaneously. He ends sentences with
"ma'am" or "sir." And he's maintaining a B-average at St. Xavier High
School
"I've opened up to a lot of new things," says Putman, 15. With his
landlord as his mentor, Putman reluctantly left his mother and four
sisters to live with four other young "scholars," as residents are
called in the Boys Hope Girls Hope vernacular, and attend first St.
Vivian's School, and now St. X.
Like the other youth in the residential program, Putman talks with his
family throughout the week, and spends every other weekend back in Bond
Hill at home. He talks to his father, who lives with Putman's
grandmother. In his home away from home, Putman keeps to a challenging
daily schedule that includes time for school, homework, chores and
meals. It leaves little time for boredom. "It brings us closer
together," he says of his time spent in the house.
Putman stresses that every young person involved in Boys Hope Girls
Hope, whether in residential or community-based programs, comes for a
different reason. The voluntary program relies on support and
cooperation from parents and other family members at home, whose
involvement can make or break a student's success.
Opened in Cincinnati in 1983, Boys Hope Girls Hope provides youth who
live in challenging settings with stable homes in residential
neighborhoods. They take field trips, participate in community service
projects and find structure and support.
Current scholars attend St. X, Roger Bacon, Purcell Marian and St.
Ursula high schools as well as a host of elementary schools. Since 1991,
every program graduate has gone to college with a scholarship in hand.
Right now, 13 BHGH scholars are in college with an average GPA of 3.1.
Twelve scholars from both residential and community-based programs.
Do Good:
•
Point and click. You can donate items placed on BHGH's Amazon.com's wish list.
•
Share your skills. Volunteer as a tutor, a mentor or administrative helper.
•
Give a gift. Donate online via Paypal, have your employer match your gift or make an in-kind contribution.
By Elissa Yancey
Photo courtesy Boys Hope Girls Hope Cincinnati
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.