ACE Programs for the Homeless

What ACE Programs for the Homeless does

ACE Programs for the Homeless (legal name: Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless, Inc.; DBA: ACE New York) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1993 by Henry Buhl, operating from Long Island City, Queens. The organization delivers workforce development, vocational rehabilitation, and lifetime aftercare services to New Yorkers with histories of homelessness, incarceration, and substance use disorder. Its service system is structured in three phases: Project Comeback (a 2-4 month, four-days-a-week program combining paid work experience, adult education, and industry certifications such as OSHA, Forklift, Food Protection, Security Guard, and CDL), Project Stay (a lifelong aftercare program offering career growth support, financial literacy, one-on-one counseling with a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, and ongoing enrichment), and ACE Contract Services (fee-for-service supplemental sanitation that keeps 2,100 NYC blocks clean and serves as the paid-work-experience engine for participants).

ACE generates revenue through three streams: philanthropic contributions (individual, corporate, foundation, plus newer crypto, stock, and legacy gift channels), government contracts (NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, NYC Council, NYS Assembly, NYS Senate), and fee-for-service sanitation contracts with Business Improvement Districts, Council Districts, and elected officials. It does not sell to consumers — all participant services are free — and its commercial counterparties are essentially NYC municipal bodies, BIDs, and a placement-pipeline of employers (Amazon, Uber, JFK, CVS, Odyssey House) that receive pre-screened, certified candidates. Participant intake flows through a referral network of 40+ shelters, treatment facilities, and outpatient programs, and placement flows through 40+ training and employment partners, giving the organization a two-sided network anchored on city government and nonprofit intermediaries rather than technology infrastructure.

Name

ACE Programs for the Homeless

Legal name

Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless, Inc.

Website

https://acenewyork.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ACE Programs for the Homeless is a NYC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides job training, paid work experience, and lifetime aftercare to individuals with histories of homelessness, incarceration, and addiction, funded by donations, government contracts, and sanitation services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Vocational rehabilitation programs
• Job placement services
• Supported employment training
• Homeless employment assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropic Contributions: Individual donors, corporate giving, and foundation grants support ACE's operations. The organization accepts online donations, monthly gifts, stock transfers, cryptocurrency contributions, and legacy gifts.
2. Government Contracts: ACE generates revenue through contracts with NYC government entities for sanitation and beautification services performed by program participants.
3. Supplemental Sanitation Services: Fee-for-service supplemental sanitation provided to Business Improvement Districts, Council Districts, and elected officials who fund neighborhood cleanup programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ACE Programs for the Homeless (Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless, Inc.) provides job training, paid work experience, industry certifications, and a lifetime aftercare support network to New Yorkers with histories of homelessness, incarceration, and addiction. The organization delivers this through a three-phase system: Project Comeback (a 2-4 month vocational rehabilitation and job-readiness program), Project Stay (lifelong aftercare including career growth and counseling), and ACE Contract Services (paid supplemental sanitation and beautification work for NYC government and Business Improvement Districts). All participant-facing services are provided free of charge.

Product overview

ACE Programs for the Homeless operates a three-part workforce development system: (1) Project Comeback provides vocational rehabilitation and job-readiness training with industry certifications; (2) Project Stay offers lifelong aftercare support for graduates including career growth and financial coaching; (3) ACE Contract Services provides paid work experience through sanitation contracts while participants transition to permanent employment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Project Comeback: ACE's workforce development and vocational rehabilitation program for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness
• Project Stay
• Adult Education Program
• ACE Contract Services

Products and services

• Project Comeback ACE's 2-4 month workforce development and vocational rehabilitation program for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness, incarceration, or addiction. Combines paid work experience, industry-specific certifications (OSHA, Forklift, Food Protection, Security Guard, CDL), adult education, soft-skills training, and job placement assistance to help participants secure and retain full-time, permanent employment.
• Project Stay ACE's lifetime aftercare program for graduates, offering career growth assistance, living skills development, financial literacy coaching, support groups, one-on-one counseling with a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, and monthly recreational events. Provides ongoing support to ensure long-term job retention and career advancement.
• Adult Education Program Daily classes and workshops in literacy, numeracy, computer proficiency, and job readiness/life skills. Covers interview etiquette, workplace ethics, time management, and conflict resolution. Designed to build foundational skills needed for successful workforce re-entry.
• ACE Contract Services Fee-for-service supplemental sanitation and beautification services provided in partnership with Business Improvement Districts, NYC Council Districts, State Assembly Members, and State Senators. Keeps 2,100 NYC blocks clean across all five boroughs while providing paid work experience opportunities that help program participants transition to permanent employment.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50+ participants secured full-time permanent jobs between May 2024 and March 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• New York City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSanitation partner providing funding for maintenance and beautification projects throughout NYC's 41 Council Districts. ACE provides daily supplemental sanitation services funded by Council allocations.
• New York State AssemblycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState Assembly Members fund neighborhood cleanup initiatives. Partnerships include Assembly Members Hevesi (28th District) and Raga (30th District) who funded daily cleaning and street beautification programs.
• New York State SenatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState Senate partnership for funding maintenance and beautification projects across New York City.
• Meatpacking Business Improvement DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership for daily supplemental sanitation services in the Meatpacking District. ACE's first major BID partnership that enabled expansion citywide.
• NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner providing meaningful full-time employment programs and funding for ACE's sanitation and beautification services.
• New York Safety & TrainingsupportingTechnology or IntegrationTraining partner providing industry-specific certifications including OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety, SST Flagger and Scaffolding training.
• Bottomless ClosetsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupplies female participants with professional clothing and accessories for job interviews.
• Career GearsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides suits and interview-appropriate clothing to male participants.
• HealthCare Choices NY, Inc.supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffers participants medical, mental health, and dental services to support program success.
• The Financial ClinicsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free individualized financial/debt counseling and tax preparation services to participants.
• Literacy PartnerssupportingTechnology or IntegrationOffers literacy, language, GED, and other educational services to participants.
• New York Public LibrarysupportingTechnology or IntegrationProvides participants with computer access as well as ABE and GED preparation classes.
• Workforce1supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNYC's workforce development system provides job placement services to ACE graduates.
• Building Skills New YorksupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides placement assistance into jobs in the construction field for ACE participants.
• Bronx DefenderssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free legal workshops and services to ACE participants.
• Legal Aid SocietysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free legal assistance to ACE participants.
• Community Service SocietysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports participants with free legal advice via Next Step Project, financial coaching through Financial Coaching Corps, and housing/financial support through Income Support Services Unit.
• Project RenewalsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides ABE and GED prep classes, job search and placement assistance, as well as medical and mental health services.
• CVSsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides retail internship opportunities for ACE participants.
• Council for Airport OpportunitiessupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides placement assistance into jobs in the aviation industry.
• True ColorssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupportive housing site for LGBTQ homeless youth that provides maintenance internships for ACE participants.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• The Doe Fund: NYC-based nonprofit operating paid-work transitional programs (Ready, Willing & Able) for individuals experiencing homelessness, including sanitation and maintenance crews — the closest functional analog to ACE's training + sanitation model.
• Project Renewal: NYC nonprofit providing housing, healthcare, and employment programs for people experiencing homelessness — overlapping adult education, GED prep, and job placement services (also an ACE service partner).
• STRIVE International: Workforce development nonprofit offering job-readiness training and industry certifications to individuals facing barriers to employment — directly comparable training methodology and employer-hire placement channel.
• Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO): National workforce reentry nonprofit (NY-founded) placing formerly incarcerated individuals into jobs via transitional work crews and retention support — directly comparable vocational rehabilitation and employer-placement model.
• Fortune Society: NYC reentry and workforce development nonprofit serving formerly incarcerated individuals through job-readiness training, supportive housing, and employer partnerships — directly comparable target population and service mix.
• Breaking Ground: NYC nonprofit providing permanent supportive housing and employment services to homeless and formerly homeless New Yorkers — highly overlapping target population and employment-program approach.

Broad incumbents

• Goodwill Industries International: National nonprofit operating workforce development programs, including for individuals with barriers to employment, with retail-funded job training — broader incumbent covering the same mission at much larger scale.
• Covenant House: National nonprofit serving homeless and trafficking-survivor youth with workforce readiness, education, and job placement — comparable vocational services for a subset of ACE's target population.

Regional players

• Coalition for the Homeless: NYC advocacy and direct-services nonprofit for the homeless population from which ACE recruits — closely aligned beneficiary base, though primarily policy/advocacy rather than workforce training.
• Henry Street Settlement: NYC settlement house offering workforce development, adult education, and social services to vulnerable Lower East Side residents — comparable community-based employment and education programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aceprogramsny
• Facebookfacebook.com/aceprogramsny
• Instagraminstagram.com/aceprogramsny

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ACE Programs for the Homeless