Pat Barton served as the Founding Board President of Pace Center for Girls in Immokalee, a vibrant 501c3 dedicated to enriching the lives of young women in our community. Together with her husband, Bill Barton, she championed the development of our one-of-a-kind building in Immokalee which allowed the center to double the number of girls who could attend every day. This location, where we remain to this day, has welcomed over 3000 women, providing safety and support from the moment they walk through our doors.

In recognition of her monumental service and lifetime commitment to Pace, we are proud to announce the Pat Barton Scholarship Fund. Her legacy of community will live on through the love of those who survive her.

In honor of Pat Barton’s lifelong dedication to uplifting young women, this scholarship fund opens doors for girls from Immokalee to pursue college or technical school—opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. Pat believed deeply in the power of education to change the trajectory of a life, and this fund continues her legacy by removing financial barriers and encouraging bold dreams. Each donation helps a girl take the next step toward a future filled with possibility, purpose, and pride—ensuring that Pat’s spirit of compassion, hope, and empowerment lives on in every success story that begins here.