ACE Mentor Program of Greater Boston

The ACE Mentor Program of Greater Boston is a volunteer-driven organization that introduces high school students to the professions of architecture, construction management, engineering and the trades. Our flagship program is a free, collaborative after school program that convenes students from multiple schools at six sites around Boston as well as virtually. Each year, 150+ volunteers from our industries coach student teams through an end-to-end interdisciplinary design project such as renovating a subway station or improving a neighborhood’s resilience to climate change. Students can participate for up to four years, trying out a different “profession” each year or sticking with a topic of compelling interest. The estimated time committed by a single volunteer mentor is 100 hours a year; that of a student coordinator, mentor recruiters/trainers or site leads easily approaches 200 hours per year. 

In addition to activating student interest in our chosen industries, ACE also curates summer internship opportunities. This year, we will place more than 30 high students in professional working environments. ACE Greater Boston’s board also raises money for scholarships to support college or training in the trades: In March this year, ACE presented $250,000 in awards to graduating ACE seniors. Finally, ACE - along with more than 70 sister chapters nationwide - remains available to its participants for mentoring and professional networking. ACE Greater Boston’s goal is to be a lifelong resource for our participants.