About Us
Changing the World, One Student at a Time
Our Story
In 2018, a passionate group of 13 founding board members came together to help improve the lives of disadvantaged children living in central New Jersey. The result was the establishment of an independent 501(c)(3) called Hope Through Education.
Our Mission
Our mission is to help thousands of underprivileged students reach their full potential through the gift of a great education.
Our Approach
Hope Through Education provides economically disadvantaged children with partial tuition scholarships to attend quality, values-based schools. Tuition assistance is awarded on a need-only basis to children who seek to enroll in grades K-12 in one of our private or parochial partner schools. Partner schools are approved on the basis of their accredited status, values-based curriculum and proven track record. Nine of our 30 partner schools have been honored as National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.
The Dilemma
The Dilemma - Economically disadvantaged children in cities like New Brunswick and Perth Amboy live in some of the poorest neighborhoods in New Jersey.
Urban schools in these areas have not been effective in providing these children with the education necessary to succeed in life.
The Challenge
As a result of these factors, thousands of underprivileged children in central New Jersey are now trapped in a cycle of poverty and violence.
| POVERTY RATE | AVERAGE READING PROFICIENCY | AVERAGE MATH PROFICIENCY | GRADUATION RATE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Brunswick | 31.6% | 21% | 8% | 63% |
| Paterson | 23.5% | 19% | 6% | 81% |
| Newark | 23.5% | 27% | 24% | 84% |
| New Jersey | 9.7% | 49% | 36% | 90.6% |
The Solution
According to the Harvard study. "A Unified Welfare Analysis of Government Policies," by Nathaniel Hendrer and Ben Spung-Keyser, investing in education for disadvantaged children from lower-income homes yields the highest marginal value of public funds relative to other social programs ("Biggest Bang for the Buck").
A great education unlocks the door to freedom for underprivileged children trapped in a cycle of poverty and violence.
Once given, education can never be taken away. It benefits not only the child, but also the family and community that he
or she will go on to help because of the education.
Our Results
In 2025, Hope Through Education distributed $1.2 million in scholarships to over 600 students. All of the recipients now attend quality, values-based schools with proven track records. Last year, 100% of the senior high school Hope Scholars graduated and 97% of them went on to higher levels of education.
Board of Trustees
Hope Through Education is directed by a diverse group of executive leaders in a wide range of industries.
Chairman
Terry Conley
President & Co-Founder
Sycamore BBL Investments
Treasurer
Francis Shammo
EVP & CFO, Verizon (Retired)
Secretary
Joseph A. Boyle
Joseph A. Boyle
Of Counsel
Kelley Dyre & Warren, LLP
Chairman Emeritus
Frederick Ziwot
President
Carapace Financial Advisors
Gregory Aroneo
COO & Managing Director - Sales
Carapace Financial Advisors
Gloria LaGrassa
Owner
Pluckemin Inn
Eugene Cordano
President
Brown Harris Stevens
Olga Anna Duhl, Ph. D.
Oliver Edwin Williams
Oliver Edwin Williams
Professor of Languages
Lafayette College
Derek D. Ferguson, M.D.
President & CEO
Ferguson Life Health Centers
Leslie D. Hirsch
President & CEO
Saint Peter's Healthcare System
Julia Jacobson
CEO
NEXT Medical Products
David W. Johnson
Senior Partner
Private Client Group A.M.
Monica Martinez Milan
Chairperson of the Board of Directors,
Somerset County Business Partnership
Board Member,
Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce NJ
CSR, Latina Surge National
Donna Shammo
Certified Public Accountant
Barbara Stevens
Superintendent of Schools
Diocese of Metuchen
Thomas M. True
Principal
World Insurance Associates
Mr. & Mrs. James Williamson
CEO
Everest Group, Ltd.
Honorary Advisory Board
Philip P. Crowley, Esq
Founding and Managing Partner of Crowley
Law LLC
Board Member of Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennyslvania
Rachel Campos-Duffy
Host of Fox & Friends Weekend
Reverend John Hillier
Office of Pontifical Missions
Office of Persons for Disabilities
Diocese of Metuchen
Richard Jacobson
Co-Founder
NEXT Medical Products
John Kelly
Managing Director, Wealth Partner and Portfolio Manager at J. P. Morgan Wealth Management
Managing Director of Kelly Group
Doug Kennedy
President & Chief Executive Officer
Peapack-Gladstone Bank
Bridget Farley LaBar
Richard S. LaBar, Jr.
LaBar Golf
Reverend Daniel O'Mullane
Pastor
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
John Papa
Managing Director, Willow Edge Advisors
Retired Treasurer of Johnson & Johnson
Dr. Nicole Saphier
Women's Imaging Specialist
NY Times Best-Selling Author
Fox News Contributor
Bill Spadea
Media Personality
Gina Tupper
Dennis Tupper
Managing Director
Head of Municipal & Structured Finance
Mizuho Americas
Emma Watters
Television Producer
Jesse Watters
Co-Host of 'The Five' on Fox News
Host of'Jesse Watters Primetime' on Fox News
