irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $1.79MPROJECT COMEBACK IS OUR INITIAL 4-6 MONTH VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES RECOVERING HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS WITH THE SKILLS, SUPPORT SERVICES AND MOTIVATION THEY NEED TO OBTAIN AND SUSTAIN FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE. PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE JOB-READINESS TRAINING, SUPPORTED WORK EXPERIENCE (PROVIDING MAINTENANCE SERVICES TO NEW YORK CITY STREETS AND PARKS), ADULT BASIC EDUCATION, SUPPLEMENTAL SKILLS TRAINING (OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH ADMINISTRATION [OSHA]; FOOD PROTECTION) AND VOCATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES, INCLUDING LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND JOB SEARCH ASSISTANCE. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES TAKE PLACE SEVEN DAYS EACH WEEK YEAR-ROUND, WITH EACH PARTICIPANT ATTENDING FIVE DAYS WEEKLY, AND GRADUATING FROM THE PROGRAM ONCE THEY FIND FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
ACE Contract Services
Sanitation and beautification service that employs program participants to clean NYC streets and parks under contract with city districts and officials, providing real-world work experience and income
Adult Education Program
Provides literacy, numeracy, computer proficiency, and job-readiness classes integrated into Project Comeback to build foundational skills for employment and independence
Project Comeback
Workforce development and vocational rehabilitation program offering job-readiness training, adult education, industry certifications, paid work experience, and job placement assistance to homeless New Yorkers; participants graduate upon securing full-time employment
Project Stay
Aftercare program providing lifelong support to graduates, including counseling, career advancement workshops, financial literacy training, and social events to promote long-term employment retention
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Alumni Leadership and Career Support Programs 2 activities
- Conduct vocational and personal development workshopsHosts regular workshops for graduates and participants on topics including communication skills, time management, conflict mediation, work/life balance, and personal advancement to support long-term career growth and stability.
- Support program graduates through lifelong enrichmentProvides ongoing support and enrichment services to program graduates, including career advancement coaching, financial literacy, networking opportunities, and monthly recreational events to maintain employment and build community.
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Comprehensive Care Management Services 1 activity
- Deliver case management and life skills supportProvides intensive case management seven days a week, including life skills development, financial coaching, debt counseling, legal assistance, housing planning, and healthcare research, to support participants’ transition to self-sufficiency.
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Professional Certification and Continuing Education 1 activity
- Deliver workforce training and certification programsProvides industry-specific certifications including OSHA-30, CDL, security guard, CRPA, food protection, forklift operation, and custodial maintenance to prepare participants for employment, alongside job-readiness training and soft-skills development in interviewing, retention, benefits transition, and workplace communication.
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Workforce Readiness Training 1 activity
- Facilitate job placement and career advancementSupports participants until they secure full-time, permanent employment through individualized job search assistance, résumé development, mock interviews, biweekly job lead reviews, and post-placement follow-up; more than 50 participants completed the program and secured jobs between May 2024 and March 2025.
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Direct Mental Health Counseling and Support Services 1 activity
- Offer mental health and sobriety support servicesProvides one-on-one counseling with Certified Rehabilitation Counselors, support groups, and sobriety support to improve coping skills, self-esteem, decision-making, and emotional well-being among participants recovering from addiction or trauma.
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Employment Support for Recovery 1 activity
- Operate Project Comeback vocational rehabilitation programRuns a 2-6 month vocational rehabilitation program for individuals with histories of homelessness, incarceration, or addiction, providing job-readiness training, supported work experience maintaining NYC streets and parks, adult education, life skills development, and job search assistance; participants attend five days per week and graduate upon securing full-time employment.
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Adult Literacy and ESL Tutoring 1 activity
- Provide adult education in literacy, numeracy, and digital skillsOffers daily classes and workshops in English, math, computer proficiency, and digital literacy, with a focus on vocational and daily living applications, to support adult learners in advancing their education and employment prospects.
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Youth Workforce Development in Food & Environment 1 activity
- Provide paid work experience in sanitation and horticultureOffers structured paid work experience in sanitation, horticultural services, and local business internships across New York City, with participants engaging in two days of work per week to build workplace readiness and professional habits.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$10.04M
Contributions & grants$1.92M19%
Program service revenue$8.11M81%
Investment income$16K0%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$9.65M
Program expenses91%
Admin / overhead4%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$7.16M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$5.14M
Cash$331K
Investments$0
Liabilities$734K
Net assets$4.41M
Liquid reserves0.4 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +2.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 5
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES MARTIN Jr | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 50 | $219K |
| ELIZABETH MCNIERNEY | DIRECTOR-PROGRAM SERVICES | 40 | $157K |
| SANDRA SANCHES | DIRECTOR--PUBLIC RELATIONS | 40 | $150K |
| LUIS PINTO | DIRECTOR-FINANCE | 40 | $129K |
| THOMAS LEE | DIRECTOR-CONTRACTS | 40 | $95K |
board members · 1
- HENRY M BUHL — FOUNDER
relationships · 16
Who they work with
- ACE Programs for the Homeless Government — Entity to which donations are made; fiscal recipient for contributions to ACE New York programs.
- ACE Programs for the Homeless Government — Receives donations payable to this entity, indicating an administrative or fiscal sponsorship relationship.
- Assembly Member Andrew Hevesi Partner — Partnered with ACE to launch a 7-day-per-week street cleaning initiative in the 28th Assembly District.
- Assemblymember Steven Raga Partner — Collaborates with ACE to fund and coordinate neighborhood cleanups in Western Queens.
- Assemblymember Steven Raga Partner — Partnered with ACE to fund neighborhood cleanups across Western Queens starting October 2025.
- Charity Navigator Network — Rated 100% by Charity Navigator for accountability and financial health.
- Constant Contact Government — Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
- GuideStar Network — Rated Platinum by GuideStar for transparency and organizational performance.
- Meatpacking Business Improvement District Partner — Partner in providing daily supplemental sanitation services
- Meatpacking Business Improvement District Partner — Partner in providing daily supplemental sanitation services.
- New York City Partner — Participants in Project Comeback provide maintenance services to New York City streets and parks as part of supported work experience.
- New York City Council Districts Partner — Collaborates with 41 New York City Council Districts on sanitation services
- New York City Department of Youth and Community Development Partner — Partner in providing full-time employment and sanitation services.
- Sandra Sanches Partner — Point of contact for the ACE Committee, involved in outreach and coordination.
- State Assembly Members Partner — Works with three State Assembly Members on sanitation initiatives
- State Senator Partner — Partners with one State Senator on sanitation services
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Credentialing in High-Demand Fields to Boost Employabilitymethodology: credentialing_for_employabilityBy providing access to industry-recognized certifications in fields like OSHA compliance, food protection, and custodial maintenance, participants gain tangible qualifications that improve job entry and retention, because formal credentials signal readiness and competence to employers in competitive labor markets.
- Employment-First Reintegration through Contracted Workmethodology: employment_first_reintegrationBy providing paid work opportunities in sanitation and urban maintenance via city contracts, individuals with histories of homelessness, incarceration, or addiction achieve economic independence and sustained employment, because structured, real-world job placement builds motivation, skills, and work history more effectively than pre-employment training alone.
- Individualized Support Model to Enhance Readinessmethodology: individualized_support_modelBy using one-on-one, personalized support tailored to each participant’s goals, the organization improves job readiness outcomes, because individualized engagement addresses unique barriers and motivations more effectively than standardized programming.
- Lifelong Aftercare for Sustained Outcomesmethodology: lifelong_aftercareBy offering lifelong aftercare support to program graduates, the organization promotes sustained employment and personal development, because ongoing engagement prevents backsliding and reinforces long-term success even after initial job placement.
- Vocational Rehabilitation with Wraparound Supportsmethodology: vocational_rehabilitationBy integrating skills training, credentialing, work experience, and intensive support services into a unified vocational rehabilitation model, the organization enables individuals facing significant barriers to achieve full-time employment, because addressing both technical readiness and non-employment challenges (e.g., financial instability, life skills) is necessary for long-term self-sufficiency.