Power Purpose Connection

Zharia came to Pace with anxiety and depression and had trouble interacting socially. These challenges impacted her attendance. She shared that she did not feel well and, over time, began to seek support from her counselor and other staff members. As time passed, she began to use her voice, especially when sharing her love of designing, drawing, and painting. With consistent support, Zharia excelled and successfully graduated with the Class of 2022 and is currently studying graphic design at Broward College.

“My name is Dorothy, and I am 15. I came to Pace because my grades were bad at the school I was attending. After I was exposed to Covid, I tried to complete assignments on my iPad, but it was a struggle, and I was unable to pass my classes. I came to Pace looking for a new opportunity. Pace has given me the skills that I needed to become a leader and to be a better student. I plan to go back to high school, go on to college, and become a marine biologist.”

“When I first started at Pace I was in a bad spot. My mom went to jail, and I had to move in with my grandma. Everyone at Pace made me feel welcome from day one. They treated me like family and were always there to help. When I got pregnant, I didn’t think I would finish high school, but the team at Pace gave me the support and courage to reach my goal of graduating on time. I walked the graduation stage with my son in my arms. I am very thankful for Pace. They changed my life and helped me grow into the woman I am today.”

Sheyley had been dealing with mental health issues and engaging in harmful behaviors including running away and skipping school. Her parents brought her to Pace for a positive environment where she would receive the support she needed with academics, counseling, and life skills services. “Pace helped me value myself and my life. I connected a lot with some of the staff who were very supportive of everything, always giving me good advice. Pace helped me take responsibility for my actions and not blame anyone else but me.”

“Enrolling in Pace was the best decision for me. Before Pace, I was skipping school every day and my grades were quickly going downhill. My mental health was getting worse and I was very unmotivated. I wanted to drop out of school completely. My friend, who attended Pace, asked me to enroll. Since the first day I arrived, I have never been so motivated. The teachers and students are so welcoming. I have never been to a school that helps you with schoolwork but also helps you with yourself. Everyone here just wants you to succeed and celebrates your accomplishments. I now know what I want to do in my future and it's because of Pace. I am so thankful that I can experience the Pace girl life and create so many memories here!”

“My name is Liah and I am a Senior at Pace, Hernando. Pace gave me a fresh start after I had given up on everything. Before Pace, a traumatic experience took my ‘childhood’ too soon. I was a straight ‘A’ student, but by sophomore year, everything went downhill. No one believed I could recover, except for Pace. Pace gave me eye-opening opportunities that prepared me for the future. I met my Senator, took a college tour, and participated in working with Arc, an organization advocating for those with disabilities. Now, my goal is to graduate and make my family proud. I am beyond thankful for everything that Pace has done for me.”

“I am so thankful for Pace. I enrolled because I was failing and needed to make up credits, but I got so much more than just credits. The staff really believed in me and helped me put my life back on track. During a Pace career fair, I met a recruiter for the military. I knew right away that I wanted to go into the Army. Pace helped me graduate a year early and I followed my dream and enlisted in the Army. Since joining the Army, I have had so many amazing experiences and lessons, traveling across the country, and even living in South Korea for a year. While in the Army, I will be attending nursing school. I am so thankful for the opportunities and support that I received at Pace.”

“I am a proud Pace girl. Like many students, I started virtual school during the pandemic but found it to be very challenging. My grades were suffering and I needed something different. When I found Pace, I knew things were going to change. The encouragement of the staff and the girls helped me learn more about myself and my family. My two younger sisters also attend Pace and I see how this environment is best for our family. My future is bright because I am becoming more mature and have the confidence to handle anything life might throw my way.”

Shade came to Pace after living in a dysfunctional home environment. By the time she was placed in a stable home environment, she was skipping school, failing 7th grade, and at risk of not being promoted to the 8th grade. Now, as a result of Pace, Shade has nearly perfect attendance, an A/B average, and has learned to advocate for herself and Pace in the community. “I don’t know where I would be if I hadn’t come to Pace.”

“Before coming to Pace, I was feeling depressed. I did not want to come to school or do my work. But coming to Pace has helped me realize all the resources available to me to get where I want to be and begin thinking about my future and career. I want to be a psychologist and a therapist. I may even be a counselor at Pace someday.”

When McKenzie came to Pace, she hoped to learn to effectively communicate with her peers and she worked with her therapist to identify situations in her life that went poorly due to communication barriers. Over several months, McKenzie learned how to identify her needs and share her points of view harmoniously. She learned how to craft ‘I’ statements, use words and phrases to diffuse a situation, adjust her body language, and practice active and reflective listening. “Pace taught me to avoid situations that could escalate into something unsafe or get me into trouble. I learned when and how to walk away from situations, and the importance of communicating better with family and classmates.”

Growing up in an immigrant family, Lizeth wanted to be the first in her family to graduate from high school but struggled with testing. “You guys were on me – I hated it then, but now I am glad you did! Ms. Mercedes, my Counselor, worked through things and even helped me after school. Pace gave me the time I needed and helped me grow personally. I’m now attending the Cosmetology Program at Manatee Technical College while working part-time at a salon. Pace even provided a scholarship for me to attend!” When asked what brings her joy, Lizeth responded “I’ve been able to do new things with my life because of Pace.”

“My parents decided to take me out of my public school and send me to Pace Marion. At first, I was too shy to let myself begin a new adventure at Pace or to get to know girls who were going through similar experiences as me. But then I quickly made new friends and now have the drive to graduate early, accomplish milestones, and be a leader for myself and other young girls. I am proud I have become someone who is a good example of how Pace helps girls like me.”

“Before Pace, I was quiet, I didn’t like talking to people and I was a troublemaker. I would constantly skip school and I was failing. I wasn’t even supposed to graduate this year, I was that far behind. Since coming to Pace, the staff has accepted me with an open heart. They made me feel comfortable here and I was able to be my true self. I suffer from a neurodivergent disorder, which causes me to have social and academic issues. Pace worked with me and created an environment where I could do my best. They somehow made school my safe space and now, I am thriving.”

“I’m Janaya and I have been at Pace for two years. At first, I was worried about being at an all-girls school. I was shy and didn’t know how to talk to people, having been homeschooled since fifth grade. It took me some time to come out of my shell, but Pace really helped me. Pace has the most caring, supportive, funny, and loving staff. Even when I was at my lowest, Pace helped lift me up. I found myself here when I didn’t know where to stand. Pace is like my second home, my second family.”

“My childhood was spent in a very toxic household. Growing up, I experienced lots of substance, emotional, and physical abuse. These harmful living conditions led me down the wrong path and I began doing drugs, failing all of my classes, and skipping school. My mental health needs at the time were not being met which resulted in a call to the police. In the police car, I met an officer who encouraged me to seek help at Pace Center for Girls. The positive and supportive environment I experienced at Pace allowed me to focus on my academics and mental health and I graduated in 2022 with my High School diploma as Pace Palm Beach’s valedictorian.”

“Before Pace, I was getting in trouble and not keeping up my grades in school. I love to learn but struggle with learning in public school. My teachers at Pace push me to be my best and work with students like me, as individuals. Most importantly, the lessons they teach go beyond textbooks, and the wisdom they share is invaluable. Their confidence in my ability to reach my goals helps me to believe in myself. Being a Pace girl has empowered me to be fearless!”

“My name is Audree, and I am in 10th grade. I hope to graduate in 2023 or 2024. Pace has helped me in so many ways starting with my academics. I have caught up in my classes because I am able to work at my own speed. Pace also encourages me to succeed in life, giving me access to counselors who I can talk to about anything. These resources have helped me so much mentally. Because of my experience, I want to be a therapist or counselor one day.”

“Before coming to Pace, I struggled with focusing on my goals. I struggled with life's stress, and how I coped was harmful mentally and physically; I felt very lost and alone. Since coming to Pace, I have grown so much. Pace has taught me that I am worthy and that my happiness and well-being are as important as anyone else's. Our teachers are attentive to what makes me unique and have helped me learn to advocate for myself. Being a Pace girl to me means being confident and knowing my self-worth.”

In previous school settings, Kamiah struggled with behavioral issues. It wasn’t until Pace that she found her footing and reclaimed her mental health. “Mental health is one of the most important things in the world, without your mental health being stable, nothing else in your life is going to be stable. Pace provides so much support. When you’re here, you build a family. It’s a comfortable space where you can talk to people.”

Prior to coming to Pace, Yullissa was severely truant. Yullissa and her family were struggling with basic needs and school was not a priority. Working to help provide for the family took precedence. This resulted in her being behind academically. While at Pace, we connected her and her family to the McKinny-Vento Assistance program, linked her to additional mental health resources, and helped provide a flexible school environment. Through hard work and support, Yullissa graduated in May 2022.

“Pace has helped me focus on my growth and development as a counselor as well as a human being. Coming to Pace, I was a completely different person than I am today. I have grown in many areas, including dealing with difficult situations and de-escalating moments of high stress or emotion.”

“I chose Pace because I wanted to surround myself with like-minded individuals working towards the same goal… changing the world one girl at a time. Girls are frequently left behind with no recognition for their talents or abilities; I'm here to help create those opportunities. I was a teenage girl and I find it much easier to relate to them, especially when what they need most is a person to talk to.”

“A core reason I work with Pace Center for Girls is that Pace provides young women with an opportunity for growth. All young ladies that have the privilege to attend Pace are met with compassion, humility, and encouragement. Pace embodies a holistic and authentic approach to supporting each student in the best way possible. We meet a student where they are; regardless of their story, providing them with the support and guidance to grow into strong, caring, and successful young women. While some days are challenging, I find joy in being able to partner with young ladies who are choosing a better life for themselves.”