Our work is about writing a different future...
African refugees and immigrants entering the United States find it to be a difficult path to success. Without any help, gaps in their education, navigating a new culture, and learning a new language are challenges that cannot be overcome. They don’t do well in school and they don’t go on to college. They struggle to enjoy financial independence and have little chance to provide a better life for children of their own. Despite living in America, not every person has the same opportunity for success on life’s journey.
Everything we do at ACE is about unlocking the existing greatness within our students and families. Meet a few of the lives that have been changed through our work and your support.
Meet Our Students
Audrey
Audrey was born in the Central African Republic (CAR). As a young child, civil war broke out in the country. Her father tragically passed away during the conflict when Audrey was just eight-years-old. With so much instability in the country, Audrey’s family fled CAR and moved to Cameroon. Audrey lived there until 2016 when she, her mother, and two sisters came to the United States through the Refugee Resettlement Program.
Audrey recalls that “life was not easy at all” when they first moved here as they were sharing an apartment with another family. The mornings were particularly difficult, with everyone having to share one bathroom to get ready. The family found their own place after about five months.
Audrey began school at the New Citizen’s Center (NCC), which specializes in supporting English-language learners. Audrey remembers how challenging those first few months of school were: “School wasn’t easy because it was a new language for me and pretty much everything was new. I did not speak any English when I came here in 2016. English class was so hard for me. The only things that weren’t difficult for me were math and biology, but I still needed to translate the assignments to do the work.”
Audrey began attending ACE’s After School and Saturday Programs in January of 2017, which helped her to learn English and find success in the classroom, particularly in the STEM disciplines.
“ACE really, really helped me,” says Audrey. “At first in school, I was always afraid to speak up even if I knew the answer because I was not confident in my English, but ACE gave me the opportunity to learn. I made friends who came from my country and spoke my languages.
They could also speak English and soon I was able to have conversations with them in English. Soon, I wasn’t afraid to speak up in school anymore. The reason I am able to speak English right now is because of ACE.”Audrey continued school at NCC for a year and a half before transferring to Claremont Academy for her junior year, where she thrived both in and out of the classroom. Audrey was a member of the National Honor Society and Community Service Club. She was also a member of the track and field team and co-captain of the soccer team. During her junior year, she won a scholarship to attend the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Women’s Leadership Conference. She was even hired to be a dance instructor at the ACE Saturday Program.
A defining moment in Audrey’s life was her journey to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA). Audrey thought she wanted to work in the medical field after college but wanted to gain some early experience to make sure it was the right field for her. So, when she received a scholarship from the American Red Cross to get her CNA certification, she was excited. However, she underestimated the difficulty of the course and had complications with travel. She ended up failing the program. Audrey recalls, “I thought it was going to be easy, but I failed. When I failed, it really hurt me, but it pushed me to work harder.”
Instead of giving up, Audrey earned a second scholarship to pursue the certification at The Fieldstone School. This time, motivated by her last experience, she worked harder than she ever had and passed. Audrey credits this experience for giving her the work ethic and determination she carries with her today.
Now, she is working full-time as a CNA at Lutheran Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center in Worcester until she starts college in the fall.
Audrey will be attending Assumption University this fall, where she received a scholarship that will pay for the entirety of her freshman year. She is majoring in biology with the plan to become either a nurse practitioner or OB/GYN. She is passionate about helping girls and women achieve better health outcomes.
Audrey is a bit nervous about starting college but also feels prepared as she took four college courses during high school. She hopes that her work ethic will be an inspiration to younger ACE students. “You don’t need to be the smartest person, you just need to work hard, never give up, and know what you want. You must know what you want first and then you can focus on the pursuit of your passion.”
Richmond
Richmond was born in Accra, Ghana where he spent most of his life with his mother and four siblings. Life was difficult for their family and Richmond would often need to skip school to work to help his family financially, even having to drop out of school for some time when he was 15.
Wanting new opportunities for her children, Richmond’s mother began the process for Richmond and his older brother to move to the United States to be with other family members in 2013. The process was blocked the first time, but they were given another opportunity in 2018, which was successful.
Richmond came to Worcester at the age of18 in June of 2018. He recalls, “Everything was different — the environment and the people — but I liked it right away.”
Richmond began school at the New Citizen’s Center (NCC) that fall where he attended for only three weeks before transferring to Gerald Creamer Center (GCC). Richmond began attending the ACE After School and Saturday Programs around the same time.
Richmond remembers his classes being difficult at first. “My first semester was hard, especially with math and science, but my teachers had time for me and they were great. I kept working hard, doing my homework, and paying attention in class and my grades got better.”
Richmond also credits his time at ACE for his improvements in high school. “ACE helped me a lot. At ACE, I found a mentor and people who had my back. I made friends with pretty much everybody.”
Richmond became captain of the ACE soccer team, participated in the Summer Workforce Development Program, and was even hired to work in the ACE office, which he called “a great learning experience for me.”
Richmond’s favorite memory of ACE came at last year’s ACE Gala, where he performed with the ACE Dance Team and was the evening’s student keynote speaker.
During his speech, Richmond shared his story of perseverance and honored his mother, saying to the audience, “I’d like to use this opportunity to say thank you to my mom for being there for my siblings and me and never giving up. Mothers are the best. Can we all clap for the mothers in the building?”
Tremendous applause followed.
Richmond graduated from GCC this June with a 3.78 GPA. Richmond says of graduating, “It feels great to graduate. I didn’t always expect it but now that I did it, it feels amazing.” Richmond will attend Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) in the fall where he will pursue his Associate’s Degree in Business Administration. He then plans to attend either Worcester Polytechnic Institute or Worcester State University to complete his Bachelor’s Degree.
Being in the unique position of supporting himself at just 21-years-old, Richmond also recently earned a full-time position at ETM Manufacturing in Littleton. He is excited to begin work there while he continues his education at QCC.
Richmond hopes his journey and successes can inspire ACE middle and high school students. “To all ACE students: stay focused, don’t be too hard on yourself, never give up, follow the process and you’ll get there in no time.”
Grace
Grace was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She lived in Rwanda and then Kenya before coming to the United States in June of 2014 with her family, including her sister, Helene, who also graduated this year.
Grace recalls how her curiosity peaked when coming to the United States for the first time. “Everything here was new. There was so much to see. I was excited to be in a new environment and meet new people.”
Grace began school at the New Citizen’s Center (NCC) that fall. She remembers, “I was scared and nervous because I did not know that much English, even though we studied it a bit in Kenya. I needed to get used to the new environment, surroundings, and style of teaching. It was hard at first but I got used to it as the years went on.”
Grace began attending ACE at the beginning of 2015 while still in school at NCC. She cherishes the connections she was able to build with ACE tutors who spoke the same languages as her, Swahili and Kinyarwanda.
“ACE really was so helpful,” says Grace. “I was new and would struggle with homework but the ACE volunteers and tutors helped me. It was really easy to talk to and learn from someone who understood me, and I understood them as well.”
After a year at NCC, Grace began 8th grade at University Park Campus School. She quickly excelled, becoming a recurring honor student during her five years there. She is proud of being able to balance and navigate an abnormal senior year.
“It was difficult balancing applying to colleges with work and everything else, but it was not as hard as I thought it was going to be. I really did my best work.”
Grace’s best work paid off as she was accepted to attend Clark University in the fall and selected as a recipient of the University Park Partnership Scholarship. The scholarship, which is open to residents of Worcester who have lived in the University Park neighborhood for at least five years prior to enrolling at Clark, provides free tuition for four years.
Grace has not yet decided on a major at Clark but is especially excited about the study of languages. She plans to add French to her list of fluent languages, which already include English, Swahili, and Kinyarwanda.
Grace is thrilled to have reached the milestone of graduating high school and thankful for the help she has received during her journey. “I want to thank ACE, my parents, my family, and everyone else who has helped me all of these years. It’s great to know I have come this far.”
Amir
Amir was born in the Central African Republic (CAR). As the Civil War began in 2012, he and his family fled CAR and spent the next four years living in a refugee camp in Chad. Amir remembers how difficult those years were. “Living in the refugee camp was really hard for us because we did not have enough money to live or pay for education,” recalls Amir.
Amir’s family came to the United States in 2016 through the Refugee Resettlement Program. It was winter and Amir distinctly remembers how cold it was compared to living in central Africa.
Amir first attended the New Citizen’s Center (NCC) where he learned about African Community Education (ACE). He began attending the ACE After School Program in 2017, which immediately helped him improve his English and successfully complete his homework assignments. “I did not know English well when I came here, but I learned it at ACE,” says Amir. “At ACE, most of the kids were speaking English to each other and knew my languages as well, so I learned English from them.”
Amir quickly moved on from NCC, attending Burncoat High School and then spending his last two years at Gerald Creamer Center (GCC), where he graduated last month. Amir thrived at GCC, joining the soccer team and finding his favorite subject, English. Amir jokes, “I always found myself writing more than my assignments required.”
Throughout his high school career, Amir continued to attend ACE. Amir says, “ACE is where I would go to do all of my homework, and I made a lot of friends there. Even if I did not have homework to complete that day, I would still attend because ACE is my second home.”
In the fall, Amir will attend Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) where he plans to try out for and play on the soccer team. Amir hopes to play semi-professional or even professional soccer one day.
He also looks forward to studying various science disciplines at QCC because, no matter where his soccer career takes him, he plans to go back and continue school in order to become a doctor.
Amir is thrilled to have achieved his goal of graduating high school and is excited to continue his journey. “We came to the United States to have a better life and here our lives are really good. We have everything we need; a home and the chance to go to school. This is what we were searching for and we thank God for bringing us to the United States,” says Amir.
“Finally, I made it. I graduated from high school. This has been my number one goal in life. Now, it is time to look forward and education is the key.”
Helene
Helene was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She lived in Rwanda and then Kenya before coming to the United States six years ago with her family, including her sister, Grace, who also graduated this year. Helene remembers flying to New York City with her family and feeling both nervous and excited as it was her first time on an airplane.
Upon moving to Worcester, Helene began attending school and found a mix of successes and challenges. “I did well in school to start because I already knew how to do the math they were teaching. But the hard part was writing paragraphs and essays because I was not used to doing that in English.”
Helene began attending ACE about five months after moving to Worcester. She quickly began to improve her writing skills and excel in school. Helene attended the ACE After School and Saturday Programs throughout her middle and high school careers, becoming a standout student and someone younger students looked up to.
“ACE not only helped me be successful in school but also helped me to appreciate life. ACE shaped me to become the person I am right now,” says Helene.
Helene attended high school at University Park Campus School where she was an honor student and member of the track and field team and community service organization. She also completed an internship with Worcester City Councilor Dr. Sarai Rivera.
During her internship, Helene helped Councilor Rivera with local environmental initiatives. “I worked on campaigns for improving water quality in the city. The experience made me more interested in learning how to solve environmental problems like climate change.”
The internship was part of the reason Helene applied to Worcester State University where she will study environmental science in the fall. Of starting her college career, Helene says, “I’m excited but also nervous. I know it is going to be hard, but I am excited because I can learn anything I want to and have the opportunity to study my passion.”
Helene thanks her parents and siblings, everyone at University Park Campus School, and all of those at ACE: “I would not have succeeded without them. I never thought this day would come, and I feel great.”
Freddy
Freddy was born in Tanzania after his family moved there from Burundi to escape ongoing conflict in the country caused by the Burundian Civil War. Once the conflict had been partially settled, Freddy’s family moved back to Burundi.
In Burundi, Freddy nearly lost his life when he was poisoned as a child. It took Freddy an entire year to recover and he survived. Upon his full recovery, the family moved back to Tanzania and lived in a refugee camp.
In 2015, Freddy’s family received word that they had received the opportunity to come to the United States through the Refugee Resettlement Program. Freddy came to the United States at the age of 12 with his parents, grandmother, and older siblings.
Upon coming to Worcester, Freddy began school at the New Citizen’s Center (NCC), which specializes in supporting English-language learners. Freddy recalls the first day at school: “The first day of school, they asked me what my name was and I said, ‘Me no English.’ All the students started laughing at me and making fun of me.”
That day stuck with Freddy for a while and also motivated him. Around that same time, two older African Community Education (ACE) students, siblings Patrick and Eric, first told Freddy about the program. Determined to be a successful student, Freddy began attending ACE right away.
“ACE helped me through a lot,” says Freddy. “I didn’t know English and did not have anyone to help me with homework at first and that was pretty hard. After I went to ACE, I got all of the help I needed and look at me now.”
Freddy spoke Swahili and Kirundi when he first arrived at ACE and was able to learn English through lessons with older ACE students and ACE staff, especially ACE alumnae Tereza, who returned to work at the ACE After School Program after her own graduation.
Freddy quickly became a stellar student, capped by his acceptance into the National Honor Society as a senior at Doherty, an accomplishment Freddy calls the “highlight of my high school experience.”
Freddy was accepted into Worcester State University, where he will study biology with a pre-medicine concentration in pursuit of his goal of becoming a doctor. Freddy isn’t wasting any time getting started, as he is already enrolled in an online summer course.
Freddy is both nervous and excited to begin college but is happy he will have the continued help of ACE Mentor Mike Land. Mike asked Freddy if he wanted his continued mentorship now that Freddy had graduated high school and Freddy joked that Mike was “stuck with him for another four years.”
Freddy is also interested in serving as an ACE Mentor himself one day. He wants to pass down lessons he has learned, advising current ACE students, “Try your best and work hard because the things you want to accomplish will not come if you do not work for them.”
Therence
Therence and his family fled war in Burundi and spent years in a refugee camp in Tanzania before resettling in the United States in September 2015. When Therence arrived, he did not speak a word of English and struggled in a new school in a new country.
Therence joined ACE a few months after his arrival and has spent the last three and a half years as a student in the After School Program and participant in the Mentoring Program, forming a particularly strong bond with mentor Mike Land, an English Professor at Assumption College.
Therence began to improve his English skills and became a more confident, outgoing individual. He was involved in numerous community activities that helped him practice English and grow as a student, including a radio interview project for the Center for Nonviolent Solutions, representing his high school in MassEdCo’s Collegiate Success Institute, and joining the Youth for Community Improvement Board of the Greater Worcester Community Foundation. He even wrote and performed a comedy routine for a school talent show.
Therence’s incredible hard work and dedication made him an A student at Doherty High School. When it came time to apply for college, Therence was not sure where he wanted to go, so he applied to eight schools… and was accepted into every one of them.
Therence graduated from Doherty in June 2019 and will attend Worcester State University in the fall. Says Mike of Therence, “Therence’s cheerfulness, humor and confidence serve as a reminder that no matter how hostile things get in the world today, people facing the brunt of it still manage to spiritually transcend the adversity and even have a good time while working toward their goals."
Nya
Nya arrived in the United States from the Democratic Republic of Congo almost four years ago at the age of 18. She did not speak any English upon her arrival.
With her status as an adult, she made the decision to stay in Worcester without her family in order to take advantage of the alternative education opportunities in the city. She enrolled in ACE and quickly became a joyful presence at our programs, making friends easily.
Nya went through hardships no one her age should have to, including homelessness and court cases. ACE worked with several of our partner service providers and advocacy groups to help Nya win a court case, find work and housing, enroll in an alternative school, and obtain her Green Card.
Through it all, Nya never gave up and is described by our Program Director as smart, determined, and full of grit with a contagious sense of humor. Nya's triumph is a testament to her own greatness and determination and the power of community.
Nya graduated from Gerard Creamer High School in May and was among five select students to receive a distinguished award for Outstanding Academic Dedication, Leadership, and Performance. She plans to go to Quinsigamond Community College this fall with the goal of becoming a nurse.
Daniel
Daniel was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and forced to move with his family to Uganda at the age of 6 due to the instability and violence in the area. His father was mostly away finding and maintaining jobs, so Daniel’s mother raised him and his five siblings. The six of them shared a room together. He learned English in Uganda and attended school when he could, although school fees made that difficult.
After seven years of trying, he and his family received the chance to come to the United States in 2013. His father could not join them as he was not able to complete any of the preparatory work due to his travels. Sadly, he passed away after they moved to the US.
Daniel joined ACE after coming to the US and quickly met a friend and mentor in ACE employee Frank Murphy. Daniel found tremendous success in school and showed a particular knack for science. Despite spending much of his time helping his mother to take care of his younger siblings, Daniel maintained an A-average in high school.
Through ACE, he learned about college and, with Frank’s assistance, he applied to several colleges and scholarships, receiving the prestigious ALKU Scholarship from Mass Mentoring Partnership.
Daniel decided to attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Major in Biology and Biotechnology. He finished with freshman year with a 3.5 GPA.
Triphose
Triphose's family is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and she was born in a refugee camp in Rwanda where she lived until she was 13 years old. Triphose arrived in the United States in 2014 without speaking any English. She attended New Citizens Center and recalls making friends despite not being able to communicate with one another.
Shortly after, Triphose began attending ACE's After School Program, Saturday Program, and Mentoring Program with mentor Janet Ivaska, whom Triphose calls "the most caring person I know."
At ACE, Triphose met students similar to her who spoke her language and she felt at home. She found a place that allowed her to transition into American life while being herself and holding onto her culture, values, and beliefs.
Today, Triphose is a straight-A student at Doherty High School and particularly excels in math and science. She has participated in Worcester Community Action Council's YouthWorks program for the past two summers, gaining leadership and work experience with organizations in the Worcester community. She was also a member of the 3rd Annual Worcester Youth Leadership Institute, a program for future leaders in Worcester.
Triphose is entering her senior year at Doherty and plans to attend college in the fall of 2020 to pursue a degree in physical therapy.
We believe and invest in the transformative powers of education, mentorship, and access to opportunities. Through impactful programming, relationship building, and an integrative approach in which we serve both parents and children, we provide what our families need to succeed - the knowledge people are in their corner, the creativity to imagine a brighter future, and the resources to make it a reality
If you are interested in learning more about our programs as a fit for you or your child or in volunteering with us, contact us:
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After School Program
Our After School Program (ASP) provides academic support, one-on-one tutoring, and activity-based learning for our students. Through trained staff and volunteers, students receive personal help with their homework in all subjects. Students also learn about best practices and study habits to help them succeed in school.
Students participate in a wide range of activities to expose them to diverse learning opportunities, including physical education, dance, and art.
Students also have the opportunity to develop skills as leaders by serving on the Student Leadership Council. The council takes on special initiatives such as facilitating student discussions, planning community service projects and gathering student input on program activities.
Our ASP also provides the chance for our students to learn about resources and opportunities available to them in the community.
The program is held Monday-Thursday from 2:30-5:30 PM from September-June.
Saturday Program
Our Saturday Program provides students a blend of academics, enrichment activities, and experiential learning.
All students are enrolled in an ELL (English Language Learning) and a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) class that provide hands on learning activities as well as a place to practice classroom conduct. Students also take part in an Express Yourself class where, through open discussions, expressive arts, and projects, they explore who they are, where they are going, and develop confidence with team building exercises.
Enrichment activities include soccer, basketball, gym, dance, and computer, which provide fun and growth in an engaging learning environment.
The fun and learning are extended with experiential learning through on-site “Project Days” as well as field trips. Recent trips include college days at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Clark University, plays at The Hanover Theatre, and adventures to the Boston Museum of Science and New England Aquarium.
This multi-faceted approach to education provides students an ideal environment to develop social and life skills while promoting an appreciation of culture and one another.
The program is held on Saturdays from 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM from September-June.
Mentoring Program
Our Mentoring Program provides our students with a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Mentors and mentees spend at least one hour together a week, plus participate in several planned group activities throughout the school year. Mentors assist students with educational and individual challenges. They also provide access to opportunities students may not otherwise have. Through consistent and supportive mentoring relationships, our students expand their potential and explore and achieve their educational and personal goals. We believe one relationship can change a student’s life; because we’ve seen it happen.
Family Education Program
Our Family Education Program provides English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for parents of our students at two different levels. We provide childcare services at this time so parents can focus on learning. The goal of the Family Education Program is to improve the English skills of our parents so they can better navigate their new country and gain better employment, thus providing an improved home life for their children.
The program is held on Monday, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM and Saturdays from 9:00 - 2:00 PM.
Outreach
Our Outreach Program involves building trusting relationships with parents in order to best serve their children and provide guidance and assistance as families navigate life in the United States. Regular involvement includes home and school visits during which outreach workers communicate with both parents and school officials about students’ educational performance and address any potential concerns. Taking a family-by-family approach, our outreach workers help families in whichever ways necessary, including access to services and opportunities to help improve their home lives, housing, financial security, employment, and quality of life.
Summer Reading
ACE’s Summer Reading Program utilizes small groups to assist students in completing their summer reading requirements for school. With the added help, students take a deeper dive into the literature, achieving better learning outcomes. The hands-on, peer-based approach allows students to develop an enjoyment of reading.
The program is held Monday-Thursday from 1:00 - 4:00 PM in July.
Career Development Program
Our Career Development Program supports students and adults as they navigate finding, applying, interviewing, and keeping work.
For youth, we offer a summer program called the Workforce Development Program for grades 9-12 which introduces them to the world of work. Students create resumes, complete job applications, participate in mock job interviews, and learn about completing work-related documents. Students shadow and hear from local professionals all while gaining hands-on experience through internships.
For adults, we offer 1:1 support and translation services at all levels of experience.
ACE's Impact in 2023-2024
Individuals Served
High School Graduates
Mentor-Mentee Matches
Program Hours
Volunteers
Read more about our impact in our 2023-2024 Annual Report
Read the ReportBeyond the Numbers
"ACE really, really helped me. At first in school, I was always afraid to speak up even if I knew the answer because I was not confident in my English, but ACE gave me the opportunity to learn. I made friends who came from my country and spoke my languages. They could also speak English and soon I was able to have conversations with them in English. Soon, I wasn’t afraid to speak up in school anymore. The reason I am able to speak English right now is because of ACE.”
Audrey
Freshman at Assumption University
"ACE not only helped me be successful in school but also helped me to appreciate life. ACE shaped me to become the person I am right now.”
Helene
Freshman at Worcester State University
"I did not know English well when I came here, but I learned it at ACE. ACE is where I would go to do all of my homework, and I made a lot of friends there. Even if I did not have homework to complete that day, I would still attend because ACE is my second home.”
Amir
Freshman at Quinsigamond Community College
"ACE really was so helpful. I was new and would struggle with homework but the ACE volunteers and tutors helped me. It was really easy to talk to and learn from someone who understood me, and I understood them as well. I want to thank ACE, my parents, my family, and everyone else who has helped me all of these years. It’s great to know I have come this far.”
Grace
Freshman at Clark University
"The ACE program has been and still remains a major part of my life. It has shaped me to be the person that I am and am still growing and aspiring to be. I graduate in June 2020 with hopes of pursuing my degree as a physical therapist. I am confident that this will get done because I know that I have a great community behind me, leading me on. This is what it means to be a part of ACE. ACE is not only a program but a community. ACE is hope; a place where you’re allowed to grow. In ACE I found home again.”
Triphose
Freshman at Wilberforce University
"In Uganda, less than 10% of kids want to go to college so I didn't always want to go. When I came to the United States, it was really ACE that got me thinking about going to college. When I came here, I was thinking I will finish high school, get a job, and live a quiet life. But then ACE started talking about colleges and taught us how to apply to them. So I decided I wanted to go to college to take advantage of the opportunities ACE taught us about... In the past, I lacked confidence in my future, but now I feel more confident. I know I have control over the things that will happen in my life."
Daniel
Junior at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Throughout the year, our events provide supporters the chance to meet and interact with our students and families and to see the impact of their generosity first-hand.
Annual ACE Festival
The Annual ACE Festival occurs each year in June. The event serves as a celebration of all our kids and families have accomplished during the school year. Vendors provide guests the opportunity to experience African culture in many ways, including food, art, music, dance, drumming, and more. Join our email list to get first access to registration!
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Annual ACE Gala
The Annual ACE Gala is African Community Education's signature event of the year. Make plans to join us on Saturday, November 9 for the ACE student fashion show, live performances, incredible food, and more all in support of ACE students and families.
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