Pace Center for Girls
Pace Center for Girls operates in 23 communities across Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, providing academic, counseling, and life-skills services to over 3,000 girls annually, with a focus on early intervention and vocational training.
Services
Pace Center for Girls provides an array of free year-round services aimed at supporting middle and high school girls. These services include academic education, counseling, life-skills training, and career preparation. The organization offers a Reach Program that focuses on social, emotional, and behavioral health support for girls ages 11-17 and their families. Additionally, therapists from the Reach Program offer services in homes, schools, communities, and through online sessions, ensuring a broad reach and flexible support structure.
Locations
Pace Center for Girls operates across 23 communities within Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. The organization has established 17 Reach locations within these states to broaden its impact. Specific centers are located in prominent cities such as Jacksonville, Miami, and Macon, making its services widely accessible to a diverse population. These locations are equipped to provide center-based day programs that offer year-round education, counseling, and life-skills training tailored to middle and high school girls.
Impact and Research
Since its founding in 1985, Pace Center for Girls has significantly impacted the lives of over 40,000 girls. Annually, the organization serves more than 3,000 girls through its various initiatives. A 2019 research study highlighted the effectiveness of Pace's intervention model, showing that girls who attended Pace were nearly twice as likely to be on track to graduate from high school compared to their peers with similar risk factors. The organization’s programs have also been recognized for reducing unemployment and involvement in the juvenile justice system.
Funding and Support
Pace Center for Girls has garnered substantial external support to further its mission. Notably, the organization received a $100,000 grant from State Farm Insurance to aid in career and college preparation. Additionally, Pace Collier at Immokalee was awarded $180,000 in federal funding to enhance safety measures for its participants. These funds help ensure that Pace can continue to provide comprehensive support and resources to the girls it serves.
Mission and Values
The mission of Pace Center for Girls is to provide girls and young women with the opportunity for a brighter future through education, counseling, training, and advocacy. The organization holds strong values, which include honoring the female spirit, focusing on individual strengths, acting with integrity, embracing growth and change, and striving for excellence. These values guide all of Pace’s programs, which are designed to be gender-responsive, trauma-informed, and strength-based, fostering an environment conducive to developing critical life, health, and academic skills.