Pace Center for Girls is getting results for girls and young women dealing with trauma, through education, counseling, training, and advocacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTrauma can be dealing with the loss of a parent, dealing with the loss of a friend, poor grades in school, bullying, navigating issues of mental health, but also the way that we adapt to the information given to us. So the whole point of that was to give girls a specific place where they can get directive counseling based on their learning system,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Angel, 16, started at Pace two years ago, when her dad first suggested the program to improve her grades. She told News 6\u2032s Julie Broughton, she was hesitant at first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was like \u2018oh no\u2019 because it\u2019s all girls. There are no boys here. Since like we\u2019ve been here this long, everything is actually great. The people, the staff, everything is actually great,\u201d Angel said. \u201cBecause when I first came, it was like I\u2019m not doing anything. I\u2019m not getting anywhere. I\u2019m not gonna do this or that. But like once you start getting people coming in helping you, like hey, everything is going to be OK. So there\u2019s no need to worry because you got people who are gonna have your back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, not only is she thriving academically, she serves on the girl\u2019s leadership council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI actually get to show them how this works and the different classes they\u2019re going to have. And I get to like see their insight because when they have someone to help them they\u2019re like thank you,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Johnson says stories like Angel\u2019s are not uncommon at Pace, watching each young lady evolve is emotional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHearing Angel say her grades are up, not only does she feel more confident about herself, but now she\u2019s stepped into a leadership role helping other girls. The work we do is intergenerational. The work we do is so pivotal. And to think she is only 16 years old. Imagine where she will be five, 10 years from now, with the skills that she learned here,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cWhen a girl is educated or when a female is educated, the likelihood of her family down the line, her becoming that matriarch, not only will their income increase over generations, so now you have created a brand new legacy in the life of this girl that will extend far beyond her years. And that legacy connects to every part of the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pace works in partnership with Orange County Public Schools and follows the same curriculum but with small classes. Students meet weekly with their counselor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow can we help that young lady feel safe when she\u2019s probably never felt safe before? Once we build safety, then that young lady has the tools to now slowly begin changing their behavior,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And as the girls modify their behavior, they\u2019re rewarded by moving into different stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith the highest stage being grace because that\u2019s what we all need. And once they hit grace, that is a sign that the young lady may now be ready to reenter the school system and now take on the other challenges of life with Pace still in her corner to support,\u201d Johnson said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As for Angel, she loves animals and plans to become a veterinarian. And has this advice for other girls who may need a change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJust making a change in my life to where there\u2019s nothing that you can\u2019t overcome. Because you can overcome anything if you put your mind to it. Don\u2019t be afraid to ask for help because help is always on the way,\u201d Angel said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Johnson said Pace always needs the \u201ctime, talent, and treasure\u201d of community members who\u2019d like to donate or volunteer. To learn more about opportunities with Pace Center for Girls, visit them online here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n