Centers
PACE Center for Girls of Lee County offers year round counseling and academic services for girls, ages 12-18, who are facing challenges such as foster care, domestic violence, abuse and neglect, death of a parent, substance abuse, and/or family history of incarceration. At the request of community leaders and elected officials, PACE Lee was established in 2007 and since opening its doors has served over 300 girls find success in school, generate a positive relationship with their families and peers, and become productive members of our community.
In the wake of recent high-profile abuse scandals, three United Way partner agencies, Abuse Counseling & Treatment, Inc., Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida and PACE Center for Girls of Lee County are teaming up to present the first annual “Speak Up! Breaking the Silence of Abuse” from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at Harborside Event Center in downtown Fort Myers. Tickets, $35 each or $250 for a reserved table for eight, may be purchased online at www.actabuse.com or by calling (239) 939-2553.
Sponsored by Fort Myers Police Department, The News-Press Media Group, Florida Weekly and WINK News, the event will feature Victor Rivas Rivers whose uplifting message has inspired and motivated audiences around the country to help break the silence of abuse. Mr. Rivers, New York Times best-selling author of “A Private Family Matter”, is the Spokesperson for the National Network to End Domestic Violence, an acclaimed actor, former Miami Dolphin football player, and Florida State University alumni. In addition to Mr. Rivers’ issue-focused keynote address, guests will enjoy a breakfast buffet and book signing. Resources to advocate against abuse and referrals for help will also be available.
With a projected attendance of over 400 guests, Speak Up! will attract community leaders, as well as attorneys, law enforcement, elected officials, educators, health care and human service professionals, media and the general public. Continuing education credits are available to nurses, social workers and mental health counselors (provider #50-16 Exp. 11/1/13) and through the Lee County Bar Association (CLE provider #0224280). Sponsorship opportunities are available at levels ranging from $500 to $10,000.
For tickets and more information about Speak Up!, visit www.actabuse.com or call (239) 939-2553.
Over 400 attended the sold-out fourth annual Grande Dames Tea presented by White House Black Market on March 20, 2012 at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. Gathered to honor some of our community’s most revered women, Michel Doherty, Mavis Stinson Miller and Anna “Boots” Tolles, guests enjoyed tea and delights as the Dames shared their experiences and advice to teens currently enrolled in PACE Center for Girls of Lee County.
Under the leadership of co-chairs Dena Geraghty and Sandy Stilwell and Mistress of Ceremonies Mei-Mei Chan, president and publisher of The News-Press Media Group, the event raised over $64,000. Of the total, $27,850 will support PACE’s capital campaign for a new school to better serve the growing and complex needs of the PACE girls.
Over 350 community leaders and guests attended the Dream BIG Luncheon benefiting PACE Center for Girls of Lee County on Nov. 1 at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre. Under the leadership of co-chairs Heather Fitzenhagen DeBoest and Margaret Depew, two initiatives were presented to attendees resulting in donations and pledges totaling $64,000 for annual operations and $199,000 towards a capital campaign to open a new school. The funds raised for capital will be applied towards a $250,000 challenge gift from the Kleist Family Foundation.
“Eleanore Kleist and her family have pledged a very generous lead gift of $250,000, but they’ve called on our community to match their support,” explains Gail Markham, PACE Lee board chair, “It was thrilling to have so many friends step-up so we can meet the challenge and move forward with getting our PACE girls into a new building. These girls deserve it!”
September 26, 2011 - Jennifer Marsico, a teacher at PACE Center for Girls of Lee County in Fort Myers, Fla. was one of 40 teachers nationwide chosen to participate in a food science workshop developed and implemented in a partnership between the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), and the Graduate School USA. The one-week workshop for middle and high school science teachers took place in Washington, D.C. this summer.
Nearly 900 guests in search of bargain priced dresses and a fun time attended the third installment of Lee County's Love That Dress! on Wednesday, August 31 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Estero.
Co-chaired by Christin Collins and Amy Sanford and presented by title sponsor White House Black Market, the event offered over 4,000 new and gently worn dresses, hundreds of designer shoes and a lavish silent auction helping to raise over $120,000 for PACE Center for Girls of Lee County. From the total raised, $5,000 will be allocated to PACE Lee's capital campaign fund to open a new Center in the coming years.