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When my niece first came to Pace, I thought that it would be just like any other school—that she would just go to school, do her work, and come home without anyone noticing whether she was having a hard day or not. Instead, I noticed that the staff at Pace were different—they noticed her, saw her potential, pushed her when she didn’t want to be pushed and showed up for her when times were hard.

My sister, Nae’s mother, was arrested in March 2022 unexpectedly and so I took in all my nieces to raise them in her absence. Considering the fact that I had taken on a big responsibility, the Pace staff made sure to check in on me. They showed me that they not only cared about Nae, but that they cared about me too. Ms. Sheena, a counselor at Pace, always made sure to ask me how I was doing mentally and that was something I needed to hear. She made me feel seen and heard.

The Pace staff supported me understanding that this change would be hard on me and my nieces. It was a new road for all of us, but Pace made sure we got through it and never felt alone. I believe that although Pace was a school for my niece, it was a safe place for me as well and I appreciate all the staff at Pace for putting up with me and my niece through everything.

At Pace, we don’t just ask, “How is she doing in school?” We ask, “How is her family doing?” Because we know that the strength of a girl is often rooted in the strength of her support system. Our team, including counselors like Ms. Sheena, ensures caregivers like Nae’s aunt feel seen and supported. Whether it’s a check-in conversation, a resource referral, or a listening ear, we make it our priority to care for everyone involved in a girl’s journey.

Through our wraparound services, we aim to meet families where they are. For Nae’s aunt, this meant offering a safe space for her to express the challenges she faced as a new caregiver. It meant acknowledging her strength while also reminding her she didn’t have to face everything alone.

Our holistic model ensures that each girl is surrounded by a network of care. From academic instruction and counseling to family engagement and community resources, every aspect of our program is designed to foster long-term success. Because when we invest in the whole family, we create a foundation for transformation that goes beyond the classroom.

The Pace Girls Leadership Institute (GLI) recently hosted an inspiring and dynamic event that brought together girls and team members from 10 Pace Centers across Florida (Broward, Clay, Collier at Immokalee, Lee, Jacksonville, Orange, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, and Volusia-Flagger). This two-day experience aimed to empower young women, foster leadership skills, and create a supportive network of Pace Girls Leadership Council (GLC) leaders working on solutions and vision for the councils.

Collaborative Learning and Best Practices

The GLI began with collaborative sessions, during which participants discussed the challenges of implementing Girls’ Leadership Councils. These discussions went beyond merely identifying problems; they also focused on sharing best practices and innovative solutions. Representatives from the Girls Leadership Council and members of the Pace team worked together, learning from each other’s experiences to strengthen the foundation of the councils.

One highlight of the event was the root cause analysis workshop. Participants used the 5 Whys technique and fishbone diagrams to explore the issues they had identified. This analytical approach helped uncover the underlying causes of the challenges and facilitated the brainstorming of effective strategies to address them. It was a powerful exercise in critical thinking and problem-solving.

A ‘Magical’ Evening at Disney Springs

After a day of intense learning and collaboration, the group enjoyed a magical evening at Disney Springs. The visit included a delightful dinner at the T-Rex Café, where the girls and team members bonded over delicious food and got to know each other better. After dinner, girls and team members explored Disney Springs, engaged in the Christmas Tree Stroll, enjoyed ice cream, and danced to live music. This outing provided the perfect balance of fun and relaxation, allowing everyone to recharge for the next day’s activities.

Leadership Insights in Action

On the second day, the focus was on leadership insights. Participants were inspired by a panel of female executives from Disney: Chelsea Filley, Vice President of WDW Revenue Planning and Optimization, and Tracey Powell, WDW Senior Vice President of Consumer Insights, Measurement, and Analytics, who shared their best practices in leadership. They provided valuable advice and encouragement to the representatives of the Pace Leadership Council. After the session, the girls felt motivated and equipped with practical tips to enhance their leadership journeys.

Additionally, participants had the opportunity to practice public speaking, which helped them gain confidence and learn how to effectively communicate their ideas. They also identified specific actions to implement at their respective centers, ensuring that the knowledge and skills gained during the institute would have a lasting impact. One of the participants mentioned that “the experiences and knowledge shared gave us a lot to take back to our centers.”

A Pace girl mentioned that what she liked the most from this experience was ‘sharing my thoughts and opinions with other GLC members and team members.’ The Pace Girls Leadership Institute was a transformative experience that empowered young women to become confident and capable leaders. The combination of collaborative learning, practical workshops, and inspirational activities created an environment where every participant could thrive. As they return to their Pace center, these young leaders carry with them the skills, knowledge, and inspiration to make a positive impact both at Pace and in their communities.

The Institute also offered an invaluable opportunity to listen to the participants we serve. By engaging directly with the girls and team members, we gained a deeper understanding of their challenges and aspirations for their local Girls Leadership Councils. This feedback is crucial for improving the councils and helping us tailor our initiatives to better support our participants.