November 7, 2018

This week was the kick-off of this years ACE Mentor Program at Jones College Prep! As a past Affiliate of the Year award winner, ACE Mentor Chicago takes a hands-on approach to helping students learn about careers in architecture, construction, engineering and related professions.

At the orientation, Epstein, who has been helping lead a mentoring group for the past four years, got the opportunity to meet the students well be working with and their parents. This year, ACE Chicago received their highest response rate; Epstein has 33 students assigned to our team. More than 9,000 students from 1,000 high schools participate in ACE annually.

All of the students seemed really excited for everything to begin, and I think they will all form close relationships throughout the course of the program, said Epsteins Alexus Davis, Design Professional, who is also serving as an ACE mentor this year.

During the 7-month program, the students will not only be introduced to architecture, engineering and construction, but also what each of the disciplines do. Furthermore, they will develop a project of their own based on the CIRT National Design & Construction Competition, which requires ACE Mentor Affiliate teams (students and mentors) to design solutions for one of three challenges: a playground or playscape, alleviate urban transportation congestion, or a community health clinic.

I decided to become an ACE Mentor because I love volunteering and giving back. Mentoring is fun for me; working with younger students is refreshing and many of them are super eager to learn and participate, Alexus said, adding, It also gives me opportunities to learn, as well.

The ACE Chicago Mentorship Program was established in 2000 and has a 14-year partnership with Chicago Public Schools. Since its inception, they have awarded 259 four-year renewable scholarships, valued at $600,000, and 55 summer internships.

We are very excited about the upcoming year!