Jose at the Success Starts with Hope Breakfast

 Jose’s Keynote Speech at the 2026
Success Starts with Hope Breakfast

Good morning, everyone.

First, I want to thank each and every one of you for being here this morning. Whether this is your first Hope Ignites [Colorado] event or you have supported the program for years, we truly appreciate you all being here.

My name is Jose, and I am incredibly proud to say I am a Hope Ignites [Colorado] alum.

Growing up, my family was led by a single mother. She worked incredibly hard to give us everything she could, but money was often tight. When you grow up in a family without a lot of money, you learn quickly that money isn’t just about what you can buy, but it can determine where you can go, what you can experience, and what kind of future feels possible.

From a young age, I knew I wanted something different for myself. I wanted to go to college. I wanted to build a career. I wanted to create a successful future for myself and my family. The problem was, I didn’t know how I was going to get there.

About ten years ago, Hope Ignites [Colorado], which was Boys Hope Girls Hope at the time, presented themselves at my middle school. They told us they offered academic support, mentorship, connections, and, what caught my attention the most if I’m being completely honest, a hefty scholarship to help pay for college.

I remember thinking: “Who just gives money away for free?” I was skeptical. But I also figured… it couldn’t hurt to apply. So, I did, and I had no idea that filling out that application would become one of the most important decisions of my life.

Hope Ignites [Colorado] didn’t just guide me through high school and college admissions. It expanded my world and gave me many first-time experiences.

I was born and raised here in Colorado, but before joining Hope Ignites [Colorado], I had never fully experienced my home state and the many things associated with being Coloradan. I hadn’t ever gone hiking. I hadn’t gone skiing. I hadn’t explored much of the state outside of my little bubble in Aurora. Growing up, I never stopped to ask why. Looking back now, I understand.

Hope Ignites [Colorado] took it a step further, expanding my world beyond the United States.

Through Hope Ignites, I had the opportunity to travel to Guatemala and visit Esperanza Juvenil, the affiliate there. While there, we helped with the construction of an elementary school in a rural Mayan community. Until then, everything I understood about life came from my own experience growing up here in Colorado.

My family didn’t always have much, but school was something I expected to be there. I never seriously questioned whether I would be able to finish middle school or high school. In the community we visited, many children didn’t have that same certainty. Some faced the reality of leaving school at a young age to work and help support their families.

I began seeing my own life from a different lens. That experience helped me understand that opportunity is something we often only recognize when we see what life looks like without it. I came home more aware of the opportunities I had available to me, the chance to pursue an education, to dream beyond my immediate circumstances, and, because of organizations like Hope Ignites [Colorado], to have people helping me turn those dreams into reality.

That trip reinforced something Hope Ignites [Colorado] had already been teaching me: exposure matters. I don’t believe success is guaranteed. It isn’t. And I certainly don’t believe everyone begins from the same starting line. We don’t. But I learned that opportunity, access, education, and exposure can fundamentally change the direction of someone’s life.

For the longest time, I wasn’t sure how I was going to get to college, let alone afford it. But with Hope Ignites [Colorado], I was able to stay on top of my grades, prepare for the SAT’s and ACT’s, land my first internship, become a Daniel’s Fund Scholar, and so much more. Because of Hope Ignites [Colorado], I was able to spend four incredible years at Santa Clara University – GO BRONCOS. I graduated last June with my bachelor’s in economics, becoming the second person in my family to earn a degree. I was rightfully beaten out by my older sister for first, and I know she’d never let me stand up here and claim that credit. But together, we are the *first* generation in our family to walk the stage.

My education hasn’t stopped there. Today, I am pursuing my master’s in accounting at the University of Denver. I am on track to graduate at the end of this quarter, and in January I’ll be moving back to San Jose, California to begin my career as a tax consultant with Deloitte.

When I think about my life trajectory, from that first presentation in middle school, to exploring more of Colorado, serving in Guatemala, graduating college, beginning my master’s program, and soon starting my career, it is impossible for me to separate that journey from Hope Ignites [Colorado].

Just last week, I was able to meet many of the scholars sitting at your tables right now. They’re so engaged, intelligent, and ambitious. But most importantly, they have goals. Some want to go to school for medicine, economics, international business. I was in their shoes not too long ago. I understand what it feels like to be young and ambitious but not necessarily know how you’re going to get from where you are to where you want to be.

When you support Hope Ignites [Colorado], you aren’t only supporting tutoring, college applications, or funding a scholarship. You’re giving a young person experiences they might not otherwise have. You’re helping them see a world beyond what they already know. You’re giving them people who believe in their potential before they’ve learned to believe in it themselves.

That belief can change the trajectory of someone’s life. I know because it changed mine. Ten years ago, I was sitting in a middle school auditorium listening to people describe a program that sounded too good to be true. And I kept coming back to that one question: “Who just gives money away for free?”

And now I find myself standing and speaking in front of the source. You aren’t just giving money away. You’re investing in Hope Ignites’ mission to nurture and guide motivated young people to become well-educated, career-ready, men and women for others. You’re investing in the kids at your tables right now who have ambition, intelligence, and potential, but may not yet have the resources, experiences, or support system to understand just how far they can go.

You’re investing in their first hike.

Their first college visit.

Their first trip outside of the country.

You’re investing in the future college graduate.

The future accountant.

The future engineer.

The future doctor, entrepreneur, community leader.

I am one example of what that investment can become. There are so many more young people waiting for theirs. So when you have the opportunity to give this morning, I hope you’ll give generously. Not because young people like me need someone to lower the bar for us.

But because we need access, exposure, and guidance.

We need someone willing to invest in our potential and to light the way.

Hope Ignites lit the way for me.

Today, I get to light the way for someone else.

With your support, so will the scholars sitting in this room.

And one day, I know one of them will be standing where I am today, looking back at everything they accomplished, and realizing that someone in this room helped make their world a little brighter.

Thank you.