About Us

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 disadvantaged children with partial scholarships to attend quality, values-based schools on a need-only basis. Our model is unique in that contributions may be directed either to a general fund or customized to allow donors to define the terms of their donations. For example, donors may create a specific scholarship, define additional criteria for awarding funds, or designate the specific school or type of school to receive funds. Donors may also track the recipients' progress and foster relationships with them.

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 AVERACE READING MATH PROFICIENCY PROFICIENCY GRADUATION RATE
New Brunswick 34.4% 31% 21% 73%
Paterson 25.5% 28% 17% 85%
Newark 25.2% 35% 24% 76%
New Jersey 9.5% 55% 42% 91%

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 2023, Hope Through Education distributed $1,029,000 in scholarships to over 500 underprivileged children. All of the recipients now attend academically excellent, 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.
graduation rate
college matriculation rate
blue ribbon schools

Board of Trustees

Hope Through Education is directed by a diverse group of executive leaders in a wide range of industries.
Chairman
Frederick Ziwot
President
Carapace Financial Advisors
Treasurer
James Williamson
EVP, COO & Head of Reinsurance, EverestRe Group, LLC
Secretary
Gregory Aroneo
COO & Managing Director - Sales
Carapace Financial Advisors
 Gloria LaGrassa
Owner
Pluckemin Inn

Joseph A. Boyle
Of Counsel
Kelley Dyre & Warren, LLP
 Terry Conley
President & Co-Founder
Sycamore BBL Investments
Eugene Cordano
President
 Brown, Harris, Stevens

Olga Anna Duhl, Ph. D.
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

Donna Shammo
Certified Public Accountant

Francis Shammo 
EVP & CFO, Verizon (Retired)

Barbara Stevens
Superintendent of Schools
Diocese of Metuchen
Stephen Sullivan
Vice President
Guggenheim Partners
Thomas M. True
Principal
World Insurance Associates
Mr. & Mrs. James Williamson
EVP, COO and Head of Reinsurance 
EverestRe Group, Ltd.

Honorary Advisory Board


Bill Spadea
Media Personality 
Host of Morning Show on New Jersey 101.5
Founder of Common Sense Club


Deacon Enock Berluche
Retired, Sr. Chemist, Exxon Mobil Research & Engineering Co. (Retired)
Co-coordinator of African American, Africa & Caribbean Apostolate for the
Diocese of Metuchen



Doug Kennedy
President & Chief Executive Officer
Peapack-Gladstone Bank


John Kelly
Managing Director, Wealth Partner and Portfolio Manager at J. P. Morgan Wealth Management 
Managing Director of Kelly Group
Philip P. Crowley, Esq
Founding and Managing Partner of Crowley Law LLC
Board Member of Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennyslvania 



Reverend Daniel O'Mullane
Pastor 
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Reverend John Hillier
Director
Office of Pontifical Missions
Office of Persons for Disabilities
Diocese of Metuchen

Rachel Campos-Duffy
Host of Fox & Friends Weekend

Sean Duffy
Former United States House of Representative 
Host of 'The Bottom Line' on Fox Business

Richard Jacobson
Co-Founder
NEXT Medical Products


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