About Us - Durham Aces Association Canada
Our Story
Our Programs
Our Mission
Durham ACES Association was created by Black youth with lived experience of losing a relative and a close friend to gun violence at a young age. These experiences shaped our commitment to ensuring that other youth have access to the support, guidance, and opportunities needed to pursue their dreams.
Through mentorship, mental health suppo
Durham ACES Association was created by Black youth with lived experience of losing a relative and a close friend to gun violence at a young age. These experiences shaped our commitment to ensuring that other youth have access to the support, guidance, and opportunities needed to pursue their dreams.
Through mentorship, mental health supports and sports-based engagement; we work to equip youth with the tools necessary for long-term success, resilience, and leadership.
Our Mission
Our Programs
Our Mission
Durham ACES Association Canada exists to serve marginalized, at-risk Black youth from low-income families, including victims of crime, youth from single-parent households, and new immigrants. Our mission is to support Black youth in overcoming adversity by equipping them with tools of empowerment through culturally responsive programming
Durham ACES Association Canada exists to serve marginalized, at-risk Black youth from low-income families, including victims of crime, youth from single-parent households, and new immigrants. Our mission is to support Black youth in overcoming adversity by equipping them with tools of empowerment through culturally responsive programming, education, mentorship, and sports.
We are committed to supporting youth in staying away from weapons of destruction and disrupting pathways that lead from school systems into the criminal justice system. Our work is rooted in prevention, healing, and opportunity, with a focus on reducing harm and strengthening community well-being.
Our Programs
Our Programs
Our Programs
- Wellness and Mental Health
Trauma-informed support focused on social-emotional learning, coping strategies, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation, with an emphasis on culturally relevant approaches to healing.
- Spiritual and Cultural Support
Programming that fosters connection to culture, community, identity, and spirituality, sup
- Wellness and Mental Health
Trauma-informed support focused on social-emotional learning, coping strategies, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation, with an emphasis on culturally relevant approaches to healing.
- Spiritual and Cultural Support
Programming that fosters connection to culture, community, identity, and spirituality, supporting personal growth, belonging, and positive self-concept.
- Skill Development and Career Readiness
Leadership development, communication skills, employment eligibility assessment, job readiness support, referrals, and skill-building opportunities.
- Housing Stabilization
Support with home rental assistance, housing referrals, advocacy, and navigation of available resources to promote stability upon re-entry.
- Financial Literacy
Education and guidance on budgeting, financial planning, and economic decision-making to support independence and long-term success.
- Family Reconnection
Support for rebuilding and strengthening family relationships where appropriate, recognizing the role of family and community in successful reintegration.
- Food Security
Access to food programs and essential resources to reduce immediate barriers to stability and wellness.
- Sports and Recreational Programming
Sports camps and recreational activities that promote physical health, teamwork, confidence, discipline, and positive youth engagement.
Join Us
Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and fund our mission.