Ike Muzikowski

“Your talent will get you in the door, your character will keep you in a certain position. You want to make sure you have a good reputation. We want the Hope brand to be associated with respect, consistency, integrity, trustworthiness. With a firm handshake a good attitude and a critical mass of intelligence you get your foot in any door. “

“But its not enough to be a good kid, you have to be good for something. You need certain skills, you need to have standards, you need to be able to complete the task.” -Ike Muzikowski on Hope Academy.

Greg Viti and Ike Muzikowski at Hope Academy, in the Principals office. Greg was in the principals office a lot when he was younger.

I saw Ike when he gave a presentation to the Rogers Park Builders Group, and he immediately got my attention and interest. As a father, the education and development of young people is one of my greatest interests. Hope is all about that in a way I have heard from others, but never seen done so well in so many areas and worlds. That includes real estate in a very big way. From space to funding to growth to impact, real estate can create or kill the success of ventures of all natures. Education is particularly difficult, as it has so many perspectives and opinions at every level.

Ike is the President and Principal of the school. At his age, it seems like it could be a lot but in every discussion I feel otherwise. It seems like a vision unfolding with certainty and wonder at the same time. It is very powerful and generative to his communities, and there are more than one.

From athletics to education, the focus is being your personal best. Not someone elses best, yours. Personal and caring is the tone from the front desk to the lunchroom. You can feel it, and most certainly see it in the eyes of the students. They are not mailing it in, they are at work or learning something. Maybe not in class, lessons in life are also everywhere for sharing and growing. Hope Academy won the Illinois State 1A Championship in basketball. Ike has a team of people that together were and are inspirational in this journey of Hope. These are the people of Hope, and they most often have come through the program. They understand and believe in Hope, and it shows daily in sports as well as life.

Hope is not a one trick pony though. Add to all of this education a trades program, (focusing on jobs for the community); Special Olympics participating in the sports facility; a facility to share with all types of local athletes and teams from the age of 5! Hope and Ike have a needs focus and they are a force. A very positive energy in an area of Chicago that has been challenged. How does Ike know what he is doing works? A lifetime of feedback. Ike lives in the area. His unique frame of reference was instilled in him by his parents and it is a way of life for Ike. It is truly a special story and person, who has surrounded himself by a community of like minded individuals.

If you need to see young high school people getting a great education in all the important ways, check out Hope, and you will want to support this wonderful school, community and organization.