Heritage and History

In the 1980′s, Fr. Paul Sheridan, founder of Boys Hope, came to Baden to help the Sisters of St. Joseph with retreat functions. The sisters encouraged him with his new ministry which he founded with a unique new approach to helping children reach their potential. In their General Chapter of 1988, the sisters adopted a resolution to “respond to those areas where human dignity was most diminished including the poor and marginalized, youth, and women.” Responding to this directive, the sisters asked Fr. Paul to work with them to establish the very first Girls Hope program.

A preventive program approach was developed for Girls Hope after a preliminary feasibility study revealed that area residential programs for adolescent girls were primarily directed to those who were already pregnant, delinquent or addicted to drugs or alcohol.

Sr. Donna Marie Tahaney, Assistant Superior of the Congregation at the time, was given the responsibility of working with Fr. Paul to establish the fledging program. In 1990, she became the Executive Director of Girls Hope of Pittsburgh and the organization was incorporated as a domestic non-profit corporation by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Sr. Anna Marie Gaglia, also in office for the Congregation, worked on program initiatives until Sr. Rosanne Oberleitner was named Program Director in January 1991. Sisters Sharon Costello and Sue Clay served as Girls Hope’s first residential counselors when the home in Baden opened in October 1991. In 2001, Girls Hope was provided with a second home in Clinton, Pa. In January 2009, this second home was moved to a permanent location in Coraopolis.

Still true to its original mission, Girls Hope provides a supportive home environment and quality education through college for academically talented girls who have been affected by adverse conditions and environments. A private, non-denominational program, Girls Hope welcomes young women of all racial and ethnic backgrounds from Southwestern Pennsylvania.

With the establishment of the first Girls Hope in the Pittsburgh area, Boys Hope was renamed Boys Hope Girls Hope and now has programs nationally in 15 major cities and internationally, as well. Girls Hope of Pittsburgh remains the only program with two homes for girls.