The ACE Mentor Program is excited to announce our partner for summer 2016, and share details of the planned community project. This year we will work with the Foundation for Homan Square in North Englewood, a non-profit community advocate who has redeveloped a former Sears Company manufacturing site into a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood. The site includes a new High School built into the old power station, offices and classroom space in an existing 14-story masonry tower (the original ‘Sears Tower!), new housing and a thriving community center. Currently, the Foundation is working to establish an urban farm alongside adjacent unused railroad tracks. Homan Rails Farm, launched in 2015, is intended as a demonstration project and community teaching tool focused on local and healthy foods. The ACE Design Build team, a group of over 20 high-school and college students, professional design instructors and other supporters, will help develop a master plan for the farm and construct a piece of that plan in the coming summer months!
The 2016 program is generously supported by donations to the ACE Mentor Program, Chicago Public Schools and Cognizant’s Making the Future Education Program!