ACE MENTOR PROGRAM OF THE GREATOR WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA INC
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- EIN 52-2336830
- 202-577-3028
- c/o McKissack & McKissack 1401 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 900 Washington DC 20005 USA
- www.acementor.org/592
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Children & Youth, Education, Employment, Job Training, Scholarships, Scholarships & Student Financial Aid, Youth Development
Mission: MISSION STATEMENT: To engage, excite and enlighten high school students to pursue careers in architecture, engineering and construction through mentoring and to support their continued advancement in the industry. ACE Mentor’s two primary goals are to: • Create a large, diverse, better-prepared workforce for our industry. • Assist and guide students as they proceed along their pathways to opportunities in our industry through internships and support. ACE DC makes a special attempt to reach students that otherwise may not become aware of the challenges and rewards of a career in the design and construction industry. Program presence ranges from inner city Title I schools to suburban areas. No school time is used and no school funds are needed; students meet after school during the school year. The ACE program serves to engage students through hands-on projects and field trips of construction sites, offices and other major projects in the area. These activities reinforce classroom learning in math, physics, art, computer skills and other important subjects, establishing for students a direct link between curricular and career success. Additionally, there are guest mentor presentations, discussions on career opportunities and a chance to meet university personnel and visit college campuses.
Results: Since its inception, ACE DC has grown to include nineteen (19) high school program teams and averages mentoring 150-200 students per program year. We started in 2000 with about 60 students on 4 teams and steadily increased students’ participation since. Just last year, we engaged 15 different school teams and had 150 students successfully complete the program. Our program regularly receives requests from schools and firms wanting to start mentoring teams. We survey the students after successful completion of the mentor program. Students find that their confidence has gone up, that their grades improved, and that they recognize the value in education. They have been exposed to more viable, career opportunities in the A/E/C industry than they would have thought possible. Additionally, they have gained project management and introductory industry experience; as well as learned effective communication and teamwork from a qualitative, hands-on project that they have seen through conception to completion. Additionally, last year we were able to meet the need of fourteen students; and awarded them each $4000 scholarships for higher education. These students are on their way to a successful career track in the Architecture//Engineering/Construction industries. And in Summer 2009, two promising students were accepted into the highly competitive University of Maryland’s School of Architecture Young Scholars Summer Program. This high school summer program was a great opportunity for the students to earn three college credits while learning from faculty, graduate students and other design experts from one of the top architectural schools in the United States. We have received notable attention and positive media interest from: • Economic Mobility Corporation (studying career-focused mentoring for youth as part of a report for the nonprofit organization) • Publication in Commonwealth Contractor Magazine (November 2009) • Feature article by DC Youth Issues writer Aisha Ali (Examiner.com) • Feature article by Nonprofit Business writer Dianne Walker (Examiner.com) • Feature article by Metro Architect (Spring/Summer 2010) We are the winner of the 2010 Greater DC Cares Community Impact Award. We have also received a letter of endorsement from Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham; and a personal visit to one of our mentor sessions by Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh.
Target demographics: The ACE DC is open to all high school students in the Greater Washington Area; and makes a special attempt to reach students of all demographics. The ACE DC Affiliate currently has nineteen (19) active teams in District of Columbia; City of Alexandria; Fairfax County; Arlington County; Montgomery County; Prince George’s County; and Prince William County. Schools with active programs range from those in the inner-city to suburban metropolitan areas. Serving grades 9-12, ACE DC averages mentoring 150-200 students per program year. The program traditionally draws participation from diverse student populations with the percentage of those enrolled historically being:PROGRAM YEAR 2005-2006 Denomination Female-40% Hispanic-31% African American-46% Asian-10% PROGRAM YEAR 2006-2007 Denomination Female-40% Hispanic-15% African American-27% Asian-9% PROGRAM YEAR 2007-2008 Denomination Female-43% Hispanic-15% African American-40% Asian-22% PROGRAM YEAR 2008-2009 Denomination Female-43% Hispanic-18% African American-36% Asian-13%
Direct beneficiaries per year: Almost 200
Geographic areas served: DC, Maryland and Virginia
Programs: MENTOR PROGRAM Engaging students in hands-on Architecture, Engineering and Construction career mentoring reinforcing classroom teachings and imparting introductory industry skills. COLLEGE ACCESS Provides scholarships to senior high school studies desiring to continue Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry studies at two or four year colleges/universities.