Youth

Written By Tia Hashem

Youth Development at ACEDONE

Where young people grow, lead, and find their voice

ACEDONE has been helping youth thrive for over 20 years. What started as a small program in Roxbury—supporting high school students with academics and jobs—has grown into a full pipeline for youth across Greater Boston. From first graders to young adults, we provide spaces where young people can learn, explore, lead, and dream big.

Along the way, we’ve discovered what works: youth mentoring youth, communities lifting each other up, and programs built by people who’ve lived the journey themselves. Our programs reach hundreds of students each year, helping them succeed in school, in life, and in their communities.

AceZone (Grades 1–8)

A safe space to explore, create, and grow—year-round

AceZone is where it all begins. Our after-school and summer programs run year-round, blending academic skill development, social-emotional learning, leadership, enrichment, and wellness. Our team—many of whom grew up in these neighborhoods—works alongside students to discover their untapped potential together.

Areas of Focus:

  • Academic skill development

  • Social-emotional growth

  • Teamwork and leadership

  • Enrichment through arts, STEM, and culture

  • Wellness and healthy habits

Youth Walk Away With:

  • Confidence in their learning and abilities

  • Tools to manage emotions, build empathy, and solve problems

  • Early leadership and teamwork experience

  • Exposure to creativity, curiosity, and new interests

  • Foundations for healthy, balanced living


Youth in Charge (YIC) (Grades 9–12)

Find your voice. Lead your community.

Find your voice. Lead your community.

By high school, students are ready to step into leadership—and that’s where YIC comes in. Founded in 2011 by Somali youth, YIC (“Why I See”) began as a way to counter negative stereotypes and amplify African youth voices. Today, YIC is a youth-driven, immigrant-led program where teens speak up, take action, and lead change in their schools and neighborhoods.

Areas of Focus:

  • College, career, and life readiness

  • Civic engagement and leadership

  • Social-emotional learning

  • Workforce development (internships and entrepreneurship opportunities)

  • Youth-driven curriculum in social emotional development, community organizing, grassroots leadership, and facilitation

Youth Walk Away With:

  • Leadership and public speaking skills

  • Civic awareness and understanding of social issues

  • Confidence in identity, voice, and self-expression

  • Career readiness and experience in internships or entrepreneurship

  • Academic support and post-secondary planning

  • Experience mentoring younger students

  • Academic support and post-secondary planning

  • Experience mentoring younger students


YICx (Ages 19–30)

A space to create, grow, and close the wealth gap

Seeing a gap for young adults, we launched YICx in 2024 to provide a space for ages 19–30 to learn, grow, and support one another. YICx helps participants turn ideas into thriving businesses that benefit their communities while building long-term economic opportunity.

We guide participants to register their business, create a plan, and work with them for a full year to launch—or assist—their venture successfully. Beyond business skills, we emphasize how their work can uplift the community, not just themselves. Over time, these young adults have become mentors, role models, and inspiration for younger students.

Areas of Focus:

  • Entrepreneurship and business development

  • Professional skills and career readiness

  • Financial literacy and economic empowerment

  • Mentorship and community impact

Participants Walk Away With:

  • Real-world experience launching and growing a business

  • A full business plan and year-long support to execute it

  • Mentorship, professional networks, and community connections


Holistic Approach & Youth-Led Initiatives

At ACEDONE, we take a holistic approach across our core programming—AceZone and YIC—where academics, leadership, enrichment, college/career readiness, and civic engagement are all integral. Our youth are actively involved in shaping curriculum, driving workshops, and planning programs that reflect their interests and community needs.

Our Youth Department also leads initiatives throughout the year, including:

  • Summer kickoff events

  • Community basketball tournaments

  • Community drives and winter initiatives

  • Speaker series

  • Youth Impact Collective Series

  • Youth-led workshops and community advocacy projects

These experiences help youth build skills, amplify marginalized voices, and see firsthand how they can make a difference in their communities.



A Pipeline for Lifelong Success

From AceZone to YIC to YICx, our programs are a journey of growth. Kids start by exploring talents and building confidence. Teens step into leadership and engage in their communities. Young adults create businesses, mentor the next generation, and build generational wealth.

Many of our staff started in these programs themselves. They know the journey, the challenges, and the possibilities. That cycle of mentorship and community leadership is what keeps ACEDONE thriving—and why our youth know they’re never alone on their path to success.










Tia Hashem
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