Category: Stories

When my niece first came to Pace, I thought that it would be just like any other school—that she would just go to school, do her work, and come home without anyone noticing whether she was having a hard day or not. Instead, I noticed that the staff at Pace were different—they noticed her, saw her potential, pushed her when she didn’t want to be pushed and showed up for her when times were hard.

My sister, Nae’s mother, was arrested in March 2022 unexpectedly and so I took in all my nieces to raise them in her absence. Considering the fact that I had taken on a big responsibility, the Pace staff made sure to check in on me. They showed me that they not only cared about Nae, but that they cared about me too. Ms. Sheena, a counselor at Pace, always made sure to ask me how I was doing mentally and that was something I needed to hear. She made me feel seen and heard.

The Pace staff supported me understanding that this change would be hard on me and my nieces. It was a new road for all of us, but Pace made sure we got through it and never felt alone. I believe that although Pace was a school for my niece, it was a safe place for me as well and I appreciate all the staff at Pace for putting up with me and my niece through everything.

At Pace, we don’t just ask, “How is she doing in school?” We ask, “How is her family doing?” Because we know that the strength of a girl is often rooted in the strength of her support system. Our team, including counselors like Ms. Sheena, ensures caregivers like Nae’s aunt feel seen and supported. Whether it’s a check-in conversation, a resource referral, or a listening ear, we make it our priority to care for everyone involved in a girl’s journey.

Through our wraparound services, we aim to meet families where they are. For Nae’s aunt, this meant offering a safe space for her to express the challenges she faced as a new caregiver. It meant acknowledging her strength while also reminding her she didn’t have to face everything alone.

Our holistic model ensures that each girl is surrounded by a network of care. From academic instruction and counseling to family engagement and community resources, every aspect of our program is designed to foster long-term success. Because when we invest in the whole family, we create a foundation for transformation that goes beyond the classroom.

The Pace Girls Leadership Institute (GLI) recently hosted an inspiring and dynamic event that brought together girls and team members from 10 Pace Centers across Florida (Broward, Clay, Collier at Immokalee, Lee, Jacksonville, Orange, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, and Volusia-Flagger). This two-day experience aimed to empower young women, foster leadership skills, and create a supportive network of Pace Girls Leadership Council (GLC) leaders working on solutions and vision for the councils.

Collaborative Learning and Best Practices

The GLI began with collaborative sessions, during which participants discussed the challenges of implementing Girls’ Leadership Councils. These discussions went beyond merely identifying problems; they also focused on sharing best practices and innovative solutions. Representatives from the Girls Leadership Council and members of the Pace team worked together, learning from each other’s experiences to strengthen the foundation of the councils.

One highlight of the event was the root cause analysis workshop. Participants used the 5 Whys technique and fishbone diagrams to explore the issues they had identified. This analytical approach helped uncover the underlying causes of the challenges and facilitated the brainstorming of effective strategies to address them. It was a powerful exercise in critical thinking and problem-solving.

A ‘Magical’ Evening at Disney Springs

After a day of intense learning and collaboration, the group enjoyed a magical evening at Disney Springs. The visit included a delightful dinner at the T-Rex Café, where the girls and team members bonded over delicious food and got to know each other better. After dinner, girls and team members explored Disney Springs, engaged in the Christmas Tree Stroll, enjoyed ice cream, and danced to live music. This outing provided the perfect balance of fun and relaxation, allowing everyone to recharge for the next day’s activities.

Leadership Insights in Action

On the second day, the focus was on leadership insights. Participants were inspired by a panel of female executives from Disney: Chelsea Filley, Vice President of WDW Revenue Planning and Optimization, and Tracey Powell, WDW Senior Vice President of Consumer Insights, Measurement, and Analytics, who shared their best practices in leadership. They provided valuable advice and encouragement to the representatives of the Pace Leadership Council. After the session, the girls felt motivated and equipped with practical tips to enhance their leadership journeys.

Additionally, participants had the opportunity to practice public speaking, which helped them gain confidence and learn how to effectively communicate their ideas. They also identified specific actions to implement at their respective centers, ensuring that the knowledge and skills gained during the institute would have a lasting impact. One of the participants mentioned that “the experiences and knowledge shared gave us a lot to take back to our centers.”

A Pace girl mentioned that what she liked the most from this experience was ‘sharing my thoughts and opinions with other GLC members and team members.’ The Pace Girls Leadership Institute was a transformative experience that empowered young women to become confident and capable leaders. The combination of collaborative learning, practical workshops, and inspirational activities created an environment where every participant could thrive. As they return to their Pace center, these young leaders carry with them the skills, knowledge, and inspiration to make a positive impact both at Pace and in their communities.

The Institute also offered an invaluable opportunity to listen to the participants we serve. By engaging directly with the girls and team members, we gained a deeper understanding of their challenges and aspirations for their local Girls Leadership Councils. This feedback is crucial for improving the councils and helping us tailor our initiatives to better support our participants.

Tia is a proud Pace girl who attends Pace Treasure Coast. At Pace, we believe all girls, regardless of their story, deserve a safe and supportive space where they can become strong, compassionate, and successful women.

Dear Little Me,  

As I sit down to write this letter, I find myself reflecting on what has brought me here today. You may not understand the challenges and the accomplishments that lie within. Remember of your capability to what leads you to the path you want to go.  

I’m writing to you… asking you to be easy on yourself for the world can be a harsh and unforgiving place, and love is the lifeline so desperately needed.  

You have the power to heal the deepest wounds. You have the strength to rise above your circumstances, defy expectations, and chase after your dreams. Above all, you have the capacity to accept yourself, fiercely and unapologetically.  

Growing up, you will find yourself moving from place to place. The constant change may feel unsettling at times, but it will also shape you in ways you cannot yet comprehend. With each new city, each new school, you will learn adaptability and the importance of finding balance within yourself.  

Through the ups and downs, you will find a place where you belong. A place where girls are valued, understood and appreciated. Here, we don’t have to pretend to be someone we’re not. We can be our authentic selves, flaws and all, and be celebrated for who we are.  

In a world where girls feel they need to hide their emotions and vulnerabilities, Pace shows us the opposite. Through growth and change, we’re reminded our feelings matter, they’re valued and deserving to be acknowledged. The emotions you feel deeply are not of weakness, but the beauty of who you are. 

And throughout all the chaos and confusion, you will always have music on your side. The passion and love for what comes naturally will help guide you to paint a canvas of diversity, individuality and unity into this world. Let the music be your voice when words fail you. 

I want to remind you what you feel is important. It’s beautiful. And there is nothing wrong with it. Embracing every emotion, every aspect of you, and knowing you are enough.  

So, my dear younger self, as you navigate the twists and turns of life’s journey, remember to be yourself, embracing the beauty of your passions, finding strengths in the nurturing of Pace’s embrace. 

You are capable of greatness, and the world is waiting for you to shine your light.  

With love,  

Tia 

In the summer after her 7th-grade year, Yaritza and her family moved from Illinois to Florida, seeking a fresh start after a period of trauma. After attending traditional school for her 8th grade year in Florida, she found she wasn’t adjusting well and was falling behind the curve of her peers. With very little support and lack of hope, she was close giving up all together about herself and her future. Yaritza recalls, “This was a time in my life where I truly didn’t care what happened to me. I didn’t see the point in trying because my life felt out of my control and chaos seemed to follow me wherever I went. I couldn’t see a path forward, but I knew something had to change.” This move led her to a place that she described as significantly impacting her life for the better – Pace Center for Girls.

In 2014, Yaritza’s mom connected with a transition counselor who introduced the idea of Pace. Initially, Yaritza was very resistant to the idea of attending an all-girls school. It took months of convincing her to even look at a brochure and be open to the idea of going to see her local Pace school. However, a tour of the center changed her perspective. “It felt really welcoming and safe, I can still remember the bright colors of the walls and the wheel of Pace’s Values and Guiding Principles. For the first time in a while, it gave me hope that I could achieve those goals,” she recalls. This welcoming environment gave Yaritza the chance to feel secure and supported during a crucial time in her life.

At Pace, Yaritza found her favorite class, “Spirited Girls,” where she learned budgeting – a skill that sparked her interest in finance. This class was her first step towards her current career path to be a financial advisor and planner. Reflecting on her time at Pace, Yaritza says, “Pace was the first time that I took therapy seriously. I felt like I was allowed to process my emotions and received more holistic support. It showed me I can’t change what happened in my past, but I am in control of my present and my future.” Pace gave her the chance to develop essential life skills and discover her passion. Yaritza obtained for an extension in the program not wanting to leave the comfort and security of her favorite school, but the time came when she had to move forward with the lessons she learned.

After transitioning back to her local high school in her sophomore year, Yaritza carried the lessons and memories from Pace with her. “I still remember my transition party from Pace and how much it meant to me. I was gifted a book, “Oh the places you’ll go” by Dr. Seuss and I actually believed it. Everyone signed and left encouraging messages in my book. I still have my Pace ID from high school,” she shares. Keeping the ID serves as a reminder of how far she has come and the impact Pace had on her life. After graduating from high school, Yaritza worked diligently to earn her associate degree, furthering her education and opening more doors for her future.

For other girls facing challenges, Yaritza offers advice: “Don’t be nervous to put yourself into an environment you don’t know. Don’t be close-minded and be open to positive change even if it goes against what you’ve known. The only way out for me was to face everything I was running from with strength and resilience. Give yourself grace for your mistakes and do better next time. Pace made me more well-rounded and grateful for my life.” She emphasizes the importance of seeking support and breaking the stigma that only ‘bad girls’ go to Pace. “It’s for girls that just need a little additional support.”

Yaritza attributes her personal and professional growth to the values and guiding principles she learned at Pace. “I learned to actually take care of myself at Pace. I still carry Pace’s Values and Guiding Principles with me in my career today.”

Every girl deserves a chance to succeed, and at Pace, Yaritza found the tools and opportunities she needed to become the successful woman she is today.

Pace’s Reach Program in South Carolina is breaking down barriers and ensuring accessibility to essential mental health and academic services. Lanaysia, a senior in the Pee Dee Region, shared her journey participating in the Reach Program at her neighborhood high school, emphasizing the transformative impact of the program and the profound bond she built with her therapist, Ms. Carla.

Ms. Carla provided Lanaysia with much more than just guidance; she became a source of safety and security in Lanaysia’s life. For girls like Lanaysia, who may have faced various challenges in their lives, this connection can be a lifeline.

Ms. Carla’s message to Lanaysia was clear: “I won’t leave you.” This simple yet powerful statement conveyed a sense of commitment and dedication that deeply resonated with Lanaysia.

A typical day in the Pace Reach Program can involve individual, peer group, and family counseling and therapy sessions, equipping middle and high school girls with the skills necessary to make healthy decisions, reduce harmful habits, and enhance their overall health, wellness, and safety.

When asked about her involvement in the Pace Reach Program, Lanaysia explained that her decision to enroll stemmed from a desire to interact with other girls. The program offered a unique opportunity for her to connect with peers who share similar experiences. In Reach, Lanaysia has not only formed meaningful relationships with other girls but has also discovered a space where she can be herself, free from judgment.

When she enrolled in the Reach program, she faced academic challenges that hindered her graduation timeline. With a dedicated support team in place, she successfully realigned her academic path to graduate on schedule. While she refrains from calling them dreams, she has set ambitious goals for herself. She envisions having a big house and becoming an athletic trainer, all while caring for her family, particularly her mother and sister.

When asked what every girl deserves, Lanaysia simply responded with “love.” Her story, along with countless others, highlights how a caring community of adults, coupled with positive mental health outcomes, can support girls on their path to bright futures.