African Community Economic Development of New England ACEDONE

Contact:  Zak Mahboub
Tel: (207)333-3001
E-mail: amahboub@mail.com




 

What is ACEDONE?

ACEDONE is a non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status.  ACEDONE’s Maine chapter was established in August 2004 by members of Maine’s African communities and has offices in Portland and Lewiston. The Maine chapter’s programs are modeled after ACEDONE’s successful programs in Boston but tailored to the needs of local African immigrant communities in Maine. 

The significance of this program is that it has been initiated by members of the African immigrant community based on needs identified within the community leadership. 

The mission of ACEDONE is

o       To assist the African community in achieving self-sufficiency through education, employment and business enterprise.

o       To achieve our goals through academic rigor, job training, career counseling, and job placement and business development

Summer Youth Enrichment – Lewiston

For eight weeks beginning from July thru August:  ACEDONE Summer Youth Enrichment in Lewiston, Maine participants, are young African high school students in Lewiston/Auburn age 14 to 17 year old.

The program was designed to enhance youth skills in Math, English, cultural, and conflict resolution. The program has provided structured, educational opportunities these children would otherwise not to be exposed. We are very proud of our students, parents, and volunteers.
 

Youth Leadership Institute – Portland

The ACEDONE Summer Youth and Planning Institute in Portland, Maine. This planning institute is comprised of young African high school, college and graduate students, as well as young professionals and community leaders, men and women from many backgrounds. These young leaders have provided ACEDONE with guidance and critical insight based on their personal, community and academic experience in Portland over the years.

The Institute was organized in July 2005 and has been meeting weekly.      

After doing a qualitative analysis and evaluation of the community's assets and needs, members have been strategically planning educational youth programming for African students that attend Southern Maine public schools. The Institute is working on how best to work with the local programs and institutions to deliver that programming. 

The Institute mission is

o       To design and implement programming that is adequate, sustainable, community controlled and involves African parents.

o       To become as a part of a leadership, academic and economic pipeline.

ACEDONE programming developed by the Institute will be launched during the academic year, 2005-2006.

More about ACEDONE:
 

Based on the needs-assessment data gathered, ACEDONE has developed programs that address the educational needs of the African community, looking to help students of all ages succeed at a higher rate. In pursuit of that outcome, ACEDONE programs are designed to close cultural gaps, disseminate information about educational opportunities, and to demystify the process of getting into college.

In the pursuit of including the African immigrant community in playing an active role in America and Maine’s civic society, it is crucial to ACEDONE that its programs are designed and implemented, as well as administered, by members of the African immigrant community. ACEDONE prepares immigrants in America to become leaders in their communities and anywhere in society with education, leadership training and leadership opportunities, self-confidence and an understanding of how to navigate the democratic society to maximize their opportunities for success in any venue. 

ACEDONE offers opportunities for African youth to participate in sports, educational, cultural and community activities through after-school programs, summer enrichment camps, SAT preparation courses and a health and fitness conference. Through education ACEDONE provides youth in empowerment zones the skills to build positive healthy futures for themselves and their communities.

We are grateful to Maine Community Foundation & River Rock Foundation for funding ACEDONE youth enrichment programs.

Board of Directors:

Scott Evans, Board Chairman

Shukri H. Egal, Treasurer

Phil Gona, Secretary
 

Staff:

Abdirizak “Zack” Mahboub, Executive Director

Sahra Gure, Director, African Women Program

Sandy Wright, Youth Program Coordinator, Portland

Ali Jama, Youth Program Coordinator, Lewiston

Kadar Abdi, Youth Instructor

Aden Ali, Youth Instructor
 

Advisory Board

Victoria Mares-Hershey

Mohamud Awad

Ramo Mohamed

Oliver Albino

Boulis Kodi

35 Canal Street Box A13 Lewiston, Maine 04240   Fax: (207)333-3002