Welcome to Pace Leon
About Pace Leon
Pace Leon was the 6th center to open in January 1994. The opening of the center was a grassroots movement that began with Marge and Matt Masterman inviting founder, Vickie Burke to a Zonta meeting to talk about the Pace Program. Members of the club quickly organized an advisory board and a funding request for both state and federal funds was submitted. Jackie Wilson, the founding board chair, with the support of the Masterman’s, Bettye Roberts, Dorothy Binger, Susan Shebel, Dexter Martin and others located a building on the corner of Jackson Bluff and Lake Bradford Road for $1.00 the first year. After scrubbing, fresh paint and carpet, the center opened with 30 girls, an Executive Director, Program Manager, 3 teachers, a Therapist and Administrative Assistant. The first graduates marched down the steps in the courtyard of Associated Industries to receive their diploma in June 1995. The program quickly outgrew the building and with help of the late Judge Charles Miner, the program relocated where it is today. Since opening the center has served more than 1,000 girls.
Resources
Pace Leon Fast Facts Sheet 2021 | DOWNLOAD
Get in touch
Phone: 850-241-0241
Fax: 850-241-0242
For enrollment referrals, please ask for:
Kristel Avilus email
850-241-0241
Girls attend Pace to get appropriate counseling and education in a nurturing environment. To become enrolled, they must be between 11 to 17 years old, at least one year behind in school, and have 3 or more risk factors.
Risk factors are the underlying issues that lead girls to academic underachievement. These are issues such as: foster home placement, substance abuse (by girl or family member), domestic violence, incarceration of a family member, neglect, physical/emotional/sexual abuse, grief, emotional health concerns, low income, and more.