Called to Task
Throughout our history, The ACE Project has stepped up to take on some of the biggest challenges facing the communities we serve. Year after year, we expanded programs to give students and families more opportunities to excel. In the wake of COVID-19, ACE initiated a strategic planning process to better understand how we can be more proactive in breaking down emerging barriers and connecting households to lifeline resources. This led to the launch of task forces focused on Tennis, Social-Emotional Learning, and Marketing.
The Tennis Task Force (TTF) was formed to assess and enhance ACE’s tennis programming. TTF consists of four certified tennis professionals and a child development expert. All members have extensive experience in youth development and classroom management plus the certified pros bring knowledge of tennis development to the table.
In 2022, the TTF evaluated ACE’s tennis programs to identify areas of success and ways to improve. According to Anne Mache, ACE Board Member and TTF lead, the task force recommended that we: divide into smaller groups based on skill development; utilize space in a better way; establish more consistency (same coach each week, same program and elements, same expectations); build a roadmap to success for coaches; create easily accessible lesson plans; and measure player and coach success season over season. We are excited to see more youth excel through advanced skill development by implementing this feedback.
The Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Task force gathered experts in psychology, school social work, and family support to discuss strategies that teach students self-regulation while addressing pressing issues, such as the trauma newborn babies experience when they are separated from their mom at birth. The group determined that a curriculum is needed for coaches and mentors, because adults must understand how their reaction impacts a child and learn new practices that effectively embody, teach, model and coach SEL. Both task forces are set to make a major difference in our service model by expanding resources for kids and adults alike.
To share this organizational growth externally, the Marketing Task Force will combine industry best practices in marketing, board governance, non-profit, and technology to gain insights into ACE's value proposition. Through reevaluating how we use our different marketing channels, we can more effectively communicate with our followers and build a deeper relationship to further ACE’s overall mission and strategy. Comprised of a board member who works in corporate marketing and two interns from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, the Marketing Task Force will elevate our messaging to grow awareness and support of ACE’s programs.
We are so grateful for all the individuals who stepped up on these task forces to lead ACE into a new age of service!