In Macon, Georgia, many girls are facing real and pressing challenges—trauma, anxiety, depression, and a lack of access to mental health support. For families like Candace and her daughter Kai’leya, finding help felt urgent. That’s when they connected with Pace Center for Girls’ Reach Program—a program that is making a tangible difference by meeting girls where they are and helping them rebuild confidence, resilience, and trust.
“Since joining Pace, I’ve seen my daughter slowly come back to herself,” Candace shared. “She’s more expressive, more open, and starting to find her voice again. There’s a light in her eyes that had dimmed for a while, but now I see it flickering back.”
“I have received emotional support, mental support and physical support. The moment when I felt things changing is when I was able to talk to my mother about things I previously couldn’t say. I slowly started to learn that I am enough,” Kai’leya shared.
Pace expanded to Macon in 2019, driven by the growing need for accessible mental health resources for girls ages 11–18 in the region. The Reach Program is community-based by design, ensuring girls can access care regardless of barriers like transportation or finances. By meeting girls where they are—whether in schools, homes, or community spaces—Reach provides immediate mental health support and a path toward healing and long-term resilience.
When Kai’leya first joined the program, Candace carried both hope and worry.
“I was filled with a mix of hope and concern,” she said. “As a mother, my biggest hope was that she would find a safe and supportive space where she could begin to heal from the trauma she experienced. I wanted her to be surrounded by caring adults who could help her rediscover her confidence, rebuild trust, and learn how to cope with her emotions in a healthy way.”
But she also feared the unknown. “I was concerned about whether she would open up, if she would feel accepted, and if this would truly make a difference in her life. But I knew we had to try something more intentional.”
It didn’t take long for the family to realize they had found more than a program—they had found a village.
“Reach has been a blessing not only for my daughter, but for our entire family,” Candace said. “Healing from trauma doesn’t happen in isolation—it affects the whole household. The program offered support, communication, and resources that helped us understand what our daughter was going through and how we could best support her at home. They didn’t just work with her; they worked with us.”
One of those trusted supports was Ms. Stanley, a member of the Reach team who walked alongside the family every step of the way. “Pace made me feel safe when I saw girls who had been through the same thing I have been through, and my counselor, Mrs. Stanley, was there for me,” Kai’leya explained.
“Ms. Stanley truly became a part of our village, walking alongside us through difficult moments and celebrating small victories. It reminded me that we are not alone in this journey,” Candace continued.
Today, Kai’leya is learning to set boundaries, speak up for herself, and process her emotions in healthy, constructive ways. Her growth may not have happened overnight, but each step forward has been meaningful—and deeply felt.
“So many girls are walking around with invisible wounds—carrying trauma, facing pressures, and struggling silently,” Candace said. “Pace gives them a place to be seen, heard, and understood. My daughter has found a place where she can be herself, where she can heal, and where she can thrive—and for that, I will always be thankful.”
At Pace, we believe every girl deserves access to mental health support—and every family deserves support along the way.
