Pathways to Success

Emily

Emily, a recently graduated senior from Pace Broward, hadn’t attended school in two months before coming to Pace. She had recently lost someone close to her by suicide and felt hopeless.

Now, having graduated high school and been accepted to college, Emily recognizes that Pace “changed my mindset on how I see things. I wasn’t an optimist – I wasn’t able to see the positive side of things. Being here is a weird change, honestly, coming from a place that’s not supportive… everybody [at Pace] wants to be here and help the students.”

With the help of her Reach therapist, and her new teachers and peers, her life began to turn around as she started to see her own power and worth. She doesn’t dread the future – she’s excited about it.

Inspired by the impact her therapist had on her own life and mental health, Emily will begin studying Psychology at Broward College to one day become a therapist herself.

“Maybe I can help people and change the outcome so it’s not devastating to the person, the family, and people around them,” she said. Emily is receiving a scholarship from Pace to help with her college tuition, and her support team could not be prouder of her for using her experiences to make the world a better place.

With the end of her time at Pace upon her, Emily has sage advice for her younger self and for girls like her. Thanks to her time at Pace, she knows that mental health struggles don’t have to keep you from reaching your dreams.

“Things do change, and it’s not going to stay the same forever, even though it feels like it.”

Toni

For Toni, her future career in cosmetology – much like attending a Pace Center – is a family tradition. The recent Pace Broward graduate is excited to continue following in her mother’s footsteps by enrolling in cosmetology school after graduation.

“I’m excited because I get to go out in the real world and explore new things,” Toni said.

With her teachers’ help, Toni has been able to research different schools to find the right fit for her. Now, as Toni looks to the future, she’s reflecting on her past.

“I would tell my younger self to never give up on your dreams and keep going.”

Kennedy

Kennedy, a recent Pace Manatee graduate, earned her high school diploma while working at Starbucks part-time. She is currently enrolled at Hillsborough Community College and has begun the prerequisites for the Cardiac Catheterization Program.

Angel’s journey is marked by resilience. At a young age, she confronted formidable challenges that might have overwhelmed others. But Angel is not like many.

She found her way to Pace Pasco during the summer after sixth grade. When her previous middle school noticed her school attendance dropping, they suggested that she explore the option of joining Pace. Angel, though hesitant, decided to give it a try.

“During that period, my life was quite complex,” Angel reflected. “While I had maintained decent academic performance, I began to face challenges. I grappled with the temptation to skip school, turned to substances, and had many challenges at home. Additionally, my family faced chronic homelessness, compounding my difficulties.”

Angel’s early days at Pace were marked by uncertainty and adversity, but she had a fierce determination to rise above her circumstances. “My home necessarily wasn’t a safe environment and Pace provided me the safety I needed.”

“I became pregnant with my daughter shortly after enrolling at Pace and gave birth to her on the last day of school that academic year,” Angel recalled. “I was determined to get ahead academically and create a better future for my daughter.”

Pace became more than just a school for Angel; it was a lifeline that provided holistic support beyond what a typical educational institution offered. For Angel, Pace became a haven that understood her essential needs and went above and beyond to meet them.

Angel’s journey was far from conventional, but it was her unique path that set her apart. She graduated from high school at just 16 years old while working two jobs and enrolled at Florida State University, a testament to her unwavering dedication and the support she found at Pace. “Nobody in my family had gone to college. Pace taught me to care about my future.”

She proudly attributes her accomplishments to the foundation laid at Pace—a place that not only equipped her with academic skills but nurtured her emotional well-being and self-belief. “I think the most important part of Pace is the passion and the involvement of people that work there.”

Angel’s journey is an inspiration not only to herself but to everyone who crosses her path. Her story is proof that with the right guidance, a safe space to thrive, and a determination to succeed, anything is possible.

Today, Angel is a mother and a college graduate with plans to pursue a master’s degree in public administration with a focus in nonprofit administration. She knows that her journey is far from over, and she is eager to give back to others what she has received herself.

“When I was a young girl, seeing how many people were so passionate about helping someone who needed it has really inspired me,” Angel said with a smile. “I’m hopeful one day life will come full circle, and I will be that for someone else.”

“From Pace’s founding in 1985 to today, Pace has been a testimony to every girl that there is a future and hope,” Angel concluded.

For Shea and Precious, sisters and students at Pace Orange, the road to success has never been an easy one. The sisters go through incredible lengths just to get to Pace, but they choose to show up every single day for a better future.

Navigating buses and trains, they begin their long commute to Pace Orange at 5:00 am, traveling up to four hours every weekday to get from Deland, Florida to Winter Park, Florida.

For Shea and Precious, Pace’s holistic mental health support is what sets the programming apart from other schools. “I come to Pace because I’m able to share my feelings and get good feedback that will help me in the future. I went to three different elementary schools during our transition to moving in with our aunt and there were counselors but I didn’t have the same connection. At Pace, I’m actually able to share my feelings,” said Precious.

As the older sister, Shea feels a profound responsibility to be a role model for her younger siblings. She shared, “My siblings motivate me. I’m trying to be a role model for my younger siblings since our dad passed. I keep going and wake up every morning, not only for myself but for them.”

Shea’s experience at Pace has allowed her to open up and learn to rely on others. She candidly shared, “I’m still trying to get used to asking for help, because, after so many years of caring for my younger brother and sister, it’s kind of hard to get out of those ways — but I’m making progress slowly.”

For Precious, Shea is not just an older sister but also a source of inspiration. She explained, “My older sister motivates me because she has taken care of me my whole life. When my parents weren’t around, my sister was always there for me.”

When Shea and Precious think about their future, they see opportunities to inspire others through their creative talents. Music had always held a special place in Shea’s heart, and she believes in its power to save lives. She said, “I want to be that one person that can make a song or just a piece of music that inspires somebody else to keep going.”

Precious has a deep love for art, a form of expression that allows her to convey her feelings when words fail her. She sees art as a tool for storytelling, and her dream is to become a designer and start a fitness clothing brand.

Shea and Precious’s story is one of resilience, determination, and the transformative power of education and holistic mental health support. With their creative talents and unbreakable bond, Shea and Precious are not only forging their own paths to success but also lighting the way for others to follow.

Kya*, 17, is on the path to becoming a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurse, while Ashley*, 14, envisions a career in the Air Force and later cosmetology. At a young age, societal pressures challenged the bright futures both girls know they will achieve. They grappled with substance abuse, initially hesitant to seek help.

Kya first encountered Pace’s Reach Program after being recommended by her local high school, where her grades and behavior were spiraling downwards. With a mix of curiosity and skepticism, she decided to give the program a try. For Ashley, it was her older sister who introduced her to Pace. Falling behind a grade, she decided to join the program to get back on track academically.

After enrolling at Pace, both girls began receiving substance abuse prevention and intervention services. The program provides vital resources, including group therapy, individual counseling, and practical coping strategies that have become pillars of the girls’ recovery.

“Society portrayed me to be one thing, but I’m more than that. I realize that I’m stronger than I thought I was. I am in control of my future,” said Kya.

Their stories echo a larger crisis in the mental health of teenage girls, with 1 out of 3 enrolled in a Pace Program self-reporting substance abuse. This extends to a range of substances, including but not limited to alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, prescription drugs, and other illicit substances. Ripple effects of the pandemic have resulted in an increased vulnerability to substance use and abuse and brought to light disparities in awareness of, and access to, quality substance abuse prevention and intervention services. The statistics are harrowing, but it is proven that prevention and intervention measures can change these outcomes.

Brielle, the girls’ therapist at Pace, emphasized the program’s community-based and flexible approach to success, focusing on individualized goals. Pace therapists can travel to girls to provide services in their home, school or community, and also meet with girls online. Family involvement is another crucial aspect, ensuring that caregivers are actively engaged in their child’s recovery.

Brielle reflected on Ashley and Kya’s growth and said, “I have watched Ashley grow into a leader during group therapy and Kya build on her intervention goals — it’s really inspiring to see.”

“I have been sober for over a year,” Kya affirmed. “The therapeutic services I’ve received at Pace have helped me stay away from substances. I don’t feel judged, instead I feel empowered to share my story and speak up for myself. I know I have a bright future ahead.”

Their journeys embody hope, resilience, and the potential unleashed when girls are empowered to believe in their capacity to shape their own future and inspire the generations that follow within their communities.

Pace’s Substance Abuse and Prevention Program is made possible thanks to THE PLAYERS Championship Village. Services are provided through Pace’s Reach therapy model and ensure girls and their families have access to substance abuse prevention and early intervention, case management and therapy, and other needed supports. The model is community-based to ensure there are no barriers to access.

*Pseudonyms are used to protect the privacy of adolescents.

In a sea of high school graduates adorned with traditional stoles symbolizing academic achievements, there are two seniors in South Carolina who are rewriting the narrative.

Ty’unna and Iris, the inaugural graduates of the Pace Reach Program in South Carolina, proudly wear stoles that embody more than academic achievement. Their stoles from Pace serve as powerful symbols of their resilience and emotional strength.

Iris eloquently captures the essence of what the Pace graduation stole means to her: “To me, the graduation stole is not just a piece of fabric; it represents who I am and is a statement of what I have overcome to make it to the finish line. I am not just graduating because of my academic success but because I have learned that I have the power to be my own best advocate.”

Ty’unna proudly declared, “Wearing a stole that represents both my academic and emotional wellness journey gives me courage. I want everyone to know that I am a Pace girl, and I am going to walk extra slow so everyone can see it.”

These two remarkable young women exemplify unwavering determination, especially given the challenges they’ve faced. Mental health support is integral to helping students, particularly women, navigate middle and high school. Mental health challenges often hinder academic achievement, and Ty’unna emphasizes, “Mental health should be taken more seriously; people are suffering.”

As first-generation college students, Ty’unna and Iris are eager to pursue their postgrad endeavors as students at Florence-Darlington Technical College. Ty’unna plans on becoming an esthetician while Iris plans on becoming a nurse.

As for the legacy both girls are leaving, Iris said, “My success looks different than others. I’m the first Pace South Carolina graduate and the first person in my family to attend college. I’m wearing a stole that sends a message to my community, and I hope to inspire other girls to stand proud in who they are.”