Awards and Accolades for our Ace in the Hole

Let the celebration begin! The ACE Project has served the Riverdale and Dolton communities of Southland Chicago for 10 years. Of course, this progress toward positive youth development was advocated for well beyond the decade we’ve had our 501 (c) (3) status. Social workers, school administrators, parents, teachers, and community leaders helped us reach this milestone by bringing solutions to the table so we could establish ACE as a (successful) non-profit organization.

One particular leader, Melanie Stamps, who is currently a social worker at Lincoln Elementary in Dolton, has worn many hats to ensure the long-term success of ACE during her tenure: Parent Mentor Organizer, Social Emotional Learning Lead, After-School Coach, Associate Director of Chicago Programs, to name a few. Thanks to her dedication, Coach Stamps has balanced the needs of youth participants, their families, and the organization itself and helped grow our impact year after year. 

Prior to entering the social work field, Melanie worked as a marketing secretary at a for-profit company. Despite making a livable wage, she changed her career to pursue her MSW and joined the ranks as a school social worker in School District #148 Dolton/Riverdale. Then, Melanie doubled down and bought a house in Dolton, 3 blocks away from Roosevelt Elementary where she spent the majority of her career.

Now in her last full year before retirement after 24 years as a school social worker, Coach Stamps was recognized by the Illinois Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW) as Social Worker of the Year. Each year, this award is presented to an outstanding school social worker who integrates knowledge and experience to provide quality services to students, demonstrates creativity/innovation in their particular school social work position, and contributes to public knowledge and awareness of school social work. 

“Winning the School Social Worker of the Year Award has meant so much to me,” said Coach Stamps. “It means this work has meaning, the work at school, with ACE, and the crisis unit. My time listening and creating activities has landed somewhere solid. I always felt that way inside, but the award says now other people know it too.”

ACE nominated Coach Stamps not only for her transformational work as a social worker in District 148, but also for her extraordinary efforts developing our Social-Emotional Learning curriculum, particularly through COVID, expanding the Parent Mentor Program to be a leading model in the state of Illinois, and connecting students and families to life-saving services every day. In all, ACE is the successful organization it is today thanks to Coach Stamps!

Luckily, we had the chance to honor Melanie more than once for receiving this prestigious award. Last October, members of our team were invited to IASSW’s annual conference at Tinley Park Convention Center. This year’s theme was “Rewriting the Narrative,” and Melanie had an opportunity to share her story during the Awards Luncheon.

Then, Melanie was honored at the annual Midwest School Social Work Council’s recognition ceremony on November 3rd in Carmel, Indiana. This time, Melanie’s family was able to join the celebration and applaud her many accomplishments together with us.

After achieving this great honor, what’s next? According to Coach Stamps, “Now, I move with more excitement, more passion. It’s even more meaningful and more beautiful. I get tearful thinking about showing up at work, to do this social work. It truly is the most beautiful experience ever.” 

We are so fortunate to have an(other) award-winning leader on the ACE Team. Help us cheer on Melanie Stamps!