organization — 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

Statement from ACE's Executive Director on COVID-19

Susan Klumpner, ACE’s Executive Director and Co-Founder, discusses the organization’s adapted vision for 2020 to keep kids active and excelling through school shutdowns and stay-in-place orders.

Post-Season Stories: Jeremiah

Jeremiah continues to impress with his tennis skills as well as his leadership, kindness, and passion; it’s no wonder Coach Eaker wanted to update us on his progress. Being one of our first Advantage scholarship recipients has given him the edge on and off the court; take a look how!

Susan KlumpnerDecember 23, 2019post-season, season, tennis, play, school, riverdale, ace, washington, chicago, south suburban, nonprofit, organization, after school, afterschool, physical development, child development

All On Board

We are jumping up and down after another inspiring retreat this spring, welcoming new voices to get on board the fast-moving ACE train. What did we gain through this experience as we look ahead?

Susan KlumpnerJuly 10, 2019tim ross, nicole clopton, grace philipp, chase, ashley jackson, board, director, nonprofit, organization, philanthropy, governance, ace, the ace project, chicago, detroit, baltimore, terri wilkerson, dolton, riverdale, leadership, leader, lead

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: Denim

Hooray! We’re kicking off a new youth story series, called Post-Season Stories, which will highlight the incredible efforts of our ACE-ers during the program season as told by our coaches. This first story comes from Coach Mueller at Pitts-Ashburton Elementary in Baltimore about perseverance, a new mantra, and Denim.

Susan KlumpnerApril 30, 2019program stories, story, testimonial, narrative, coach, youth, program, nonprofit, organization, ace, tennis, baltimore, pitts-ashburton, matt mueller

Served and Connected

Wow, 12 weeks went by fast! With the successful wrap of Serve and Connect in Baltimore and Chicago, we reflect on the lessons learned then consider how to sustain the relationships we established through the project.

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

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