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.
PLEASE take time to email or phone the legislative budget decision makers to let them know that PACE, as the most effective prevention program in the country, must be fully funded for continued success. Click here for...
Email addresses of key budget legislators
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Now that Governor Scott's budget is in and reviewed, we know that more than $109 million dollars may be cut from the Department of Juvenile Justice. Most of the cuts are recommended for residential programs, but all areas of DJJ will feel an impact. A recommendation has been made to decrease PACE Center for Girls' funding by 9.6%. Translated in to dollars, we are looking at a shortfall of $1 million dollars statewide!
On September 20, an enthusiastic group of volunteers from The Home Depot in Cape Coral gave PACE's Serenity Garden some much needed care.
The hardworking troop filled four square-foot gardening boxes (previously
donated by David and Karen Johnson Crowther) with a variety of plant life, spruced up the herb garden (a project of Zonta's Z-Club), and performed grounds maintenance including weeding, trimming, mulching and raking. For more outdoor fun, The Home Depot volunteers also painted lines on the patio creating a basketball key and hopscotch court.
Heather Fitzenhagen DeBoest provided a rare opportunity to the PACE girls when she sponsored Kelly Colombo Photography to take professional headshots of girls currently enrolled in the Center's day program.
"Having a professional picture to submit for college and job applications can make all the difference," said DeBoest, "I want to be a part of offering these girls every opportunity to believe in their potential and succeed."
"The girls felt like movie stars, giving them a much needed boost of self-esteem," added Dr. Alice Brunner, PACE Lee Executive Director, "They will treasure these photos for a lifetime."
Several others contributed to the experience including Kelly Colombo who donated hours of professional photography and photo editing services, Julie Potts and her Mary Kay consultants who provided make-up application, and Costco in Fort Myers that donated two photo packages for each PACE girl.
To better meet the needs of the girls and families we serve, PACE Lee has partnered with Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida in trading in-kind goods for gift certificates to Goodwill retail stores. A majority of the in-kind goods directed to Goodwill are clothing items, and since May of this year, Goodwill has provided PACE nearly $1,000 in shopping vouchers in exchange.
"While we always keep clothing on hand, the Goodwill vouchers have enabled us to find mattresses, furniture and much needed kitchenware for our PACE families," said Patricia DeLacy, Social Services Manager, "The vouchers also give them the opportunity to shop in private with a larger selection."
PACE greatly thanks Goodwill for this most helpful collaboration!