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.