non-profit — What's the Racket?

ACE is Growing Up

ACE has made big moves in 10 years, and the next decade is on course to do the same! Expect changes based on feedback we received from stakeholders, but please be patient with us as we grow to the next level!

Susan KlumpnerJune 30, 2024mission, vision, non-profit, nonprofit, organization, play, logo, marketing, ace, tennis, after-school, afterschool

USTAF Grants ACE a Future Look

United States Tennis Association Foundation has done it again; thanks to their tremendous support, ACE will take our mission to the next level! See what our organizational leaders had to say about the future of ACE.

Susan KlumpnerJuly 22, 2021united states tennis association, grant, ustaf, usta, tennis, chicago, baltimore, detroit, play, afterschool, after-school, nonprofit, non-profit, strategy, vision, future

Sunny Serve Up

School is just about out for summer, but without programs that carry over to the fall, many youth are left in the dark during the break. Now’s your time to shine.

Susan KlumpnerMay 30, 2019riverdale, dolton, baltimore, detroit, nonprofit, non-profit, organization, youth, program, programs, summer, underserved, under-served, community, social justice, economic justice, fun, play, champion, tennis, camp, donate

Post-Season Stories: Jadaiah

When our ACE-ers find their voices through exercises on and off the court, it is a transformative experience to watch. Take Coach Burnett’s word(s) for it as she describes Jadaiah’s blossoming into a social butterfly at Washington Elementary in her Post-Season Story!

Susan KlumpnerMay 30, 2019youth, program, program stories, coach, mentor, adult, lead, leadership, nonprofit, non-profit, chicago, riverdale, dolton, student, washington elementary, coach burnett, dedre burnett

Motown, Mo' Tennis

We are dancing on the courts as ACE brings our programs up to Motown. There has already been a lot of moving and shaking to find the community partners who will get us up and running, but have we found our rhythm? Read more!

Feature in Voyage Chicago's Most Inspiring Stories

The ACE team is the BEST team, and we had an opportunity to share this fact with Voyage Chicago in an interview recently as part of its Most Inspiring Stories series. Susan Klumpner, executive director and co-founder, answers all the essential questions about how ACE came into existence, but what keeps it running is its fabulous team! Check out the interview!

Susan KlumpnerFebruary 27, 2018voyage, chicago, article, publish, inspire, inspiring, story, stories, most, riverdale, dolton, nonprofit, non-profit, organization, education, tennis, coach, mentor, under-resourced, resources, resource, ace, ace project, vibe, culture, history

Coach's Corner: Ms. Janet Eaker

ACE catches up with Ms. Janet Eaker, physical education teacher at Washington Elementary School in Riverdale, to learn what motivates her as a coach and teacher. Her answers may not surprise you---the students play a major role---but Coach Eaker's heart and dedication are felt through her responses

Susan KlumpnerFebruary 13, 2018coach, tennis, after-school, school, gym, teacher, mentor, coaching, sports, sport, play, ace, nonprofit, non-profit, project, program, janet eaker, washington elementary school, riverdale, dolton, elementary, djokovic, novak, federer, nadal, player, tennis player, youth, young, children, child, kids, kid, student, students, washington, chicago

Making Dreams Come True

The ACE Project was invited by the USTA Foundation to attend the Spring 2018 Capacity Building Training in Orlando, Florida. Though it might not sound like the place where dreams come true, members of the ACE team gathered with organizations from across the country to discuss how best to make childhood dreams become a reality.

NEWS & PRESS

what’s the racket?

© 2018 the ace project