Dear Friends,
The men and women served at ACE are the centerpiece of who we are as an organization. Their hard work encourages us, their resiliency inspires us, and their stories uplift us. Through #FacesofACE, we want to share with you the strengths, successes, and hopes of ACE Graduates who are excelling professionally and personally.
You can see four snapshots below that capture just a few of the many positive stories that you are a part of through ACE. Check our website, acenewyork.org, and social media for more. By supporting and sharing, you are offering New Yorkers life-changing opportunities to reach their goals of full-time employment, financial independence, and family reunification. Thank you for believing in the men and women served at ACE.
#FacesofACE
Marc’s Story – In His Own Words
As a kid, my parents were a little on in years. I have four brothers and two sisters, but they are older than me and were out of the house by the time I was born. As a kid, I played basketball, football, and baseball. My friends and I would go to amusement parks and travel to other boroughs. We were very curious kids, and for whatever reason I had a big need for acceptance.
“We were very curious kids, and for whatever reason I had a big need for acceptance.”
When I was 13, my friends wanted to try drugs and they called me along. It wasn’t even a decision. It was just ‘if it was ok with them, it was ok with me’. That was the same year I was arrested for the first time. We thought it would be fun to go play inside the school on a Saturday. The window was broken and we climbed in. Someone must have seen us and called the cops. A lot of guys got away, but a couple of us got caught and our mothers had to come pick us up from the precinct. I was just growing up too fast.
A few years later, I left school. My childhood friends were moving on, going to work and college. They were going up the ladder and I was going down. I just couldn’t get out of the cycle.
Then, a deliveryman in my building, who was delivering a stereo, introduced me to heroin. When he offered it to me, I assumed it was cocaine. When he saw how I inhaled it, he said, “I shouldn’t have given you that.” I didn’t try it again for five years. But when I was introduced to it again, I went all in. I wanted to be a part of something. That’s how I lived my 20s and my 30s.
“The window was broken and we climbed in. Someone must have seen us and called the cops.”
During that time I had my daughter. Before her mother left, she told me to stop using. She tried to get me on board, but I wouldn’t let up. She had to go because she didn’t want our daughter to be subjected to that kind of lifestyle. She said, “We may not be together but we’ll still have her.” She ended up being right.
A few years ago, I got of jail and I didn’t want to return. I felt like I had a chance to make a fresh start. I started asking questions about what I needed to do to help myself. I was in a treatment program and there was a friend there who was also in ACE’s program. He explained to me how ACE worked, and I decided to give it a shot.
The people at ACE made me feel important—like they were going to make sure that I got the help I needed. They help provide work and income, teach you how to job search, and the dos and don’ts of the job. They helped me get my email address and learn how to work on the computer.
“Most important to me, I’m reigniting a relationship with my daughter.”
The last time I had a job was 2001, but I applied what I learned at ACE and it worked. When I got my job it felt like I was a part of something. I’ve been working for 10 months. I meet new people every day and everyone is respectful. My job offers a lot of training assistance for areas where I could grow my strengths. I want to climb up the ladder at this company.
I have my own place to live now, and it feels good. I don’t worry about something happening to my things or someone interrupting me when I need to rest. I’m just grateful that I’m not using or behind those four walls, having other people make all the decisions for me.
Most important to me, I’m reigniting a relationship with my daughter. She let me know what it was like for her growing up, but she still wants to help me. We’re so alike it’s amazing. She can finish my sentences and knows my thoughts before I can tell her. To have this opportunity to have a relationship with my daughter means everything.
There are more hard working men and women like Marc making their comeback right now. Make a gift today, and take part in their incredible journey to economic self-sufficiency.
ACE’s 2019 Phantom of the Opera Gala
The headline speaker at the 2019 Gala was ACE Graduate Johnny Jenkins. After years of unemployment and homelessness, Johnny made a comeback. He has been employed with full benefits for over a year, has his own apartment, and, most importantly, has restored his relationship with his daughter. A Success like Johnny’s is possible when hard work like his meets the support, belief and commitment of friends like you. Thank you for being a part of his success story. Because of the support raised at this event, hundreds of men and women who are determined to overcome histories of homelessness, incarceration and addiction will now have access to the education, work experience, and ongoing support they need to reach their goals of full-time employment and economic independence.
Upcoming Events – ACE’s 5th Annual Foodie Ball
On Wednesday, July 10th, we will hold our 5th Annual Foodie Ball, a premiere summer fundraiser where over 150 of NYC’s brightest and most ambitious young professionals will gather for an evening of innovative food and drinks at the incredible Bowery Hotel Terrace.
Join us in making this a standout event of the summer and help raise critical funds for our programs that empower men and women experiencing homelessness.
There are over 62,000 men and women in homeless shelters every night in New York City and few organizations are addressing this issue as effectively and compassionately as ACE. By participating, your donation directly translates into men and women breaking the cycle of poverty and achieving their goals of achieving economic self-sufficiency.
July 10th, 2019
5th Annual Foodie Ball
Bowery Hotel Terrace – 335 Bowery St.
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Purchase tickets now or
RSVP to ssanches@acenewyork.org
You make life changing success stories possible. Make a tax-deductible gift today and put a New Yorker on the path to self-sufficiency.
