Empowering Girls with Career and College Preparation

Pace Center for Girls received a $100,000 grant from State Farm Insurance to support career and college preparation. 

The funding supports Pace’s comprehensive vocational and education program dedicated to providing girls, who have faced adversity, with the necessary tools to obtain a high school diploma or GED, long term employability skills and to pursue an education past high school, whether at a professional training program, the military, a community college or a four-year college or university. 

“One of the greatest responsibilities we have as a society is to ensure all girls and young women have access to opportunities to be successful as adults,” said Mary Marx, President and CEO of Pace Center for Girls. “We are grateful to State Farm for investing in Pace and providing us the opportunity to enhance our life-skills training and career and college readiness pathways.”

Of the $100,000 investment, State Farm is awarding $42,000 in scholarships for Pace girls. Girls like Alexis will be one of 21 young ladies across the state of Florida that are receiving a State Farm Scholarship to support college, vocational school, or certificate training. She will study psychology at Santa Fe College this fall with a goal of becoming a therapist. “Every girl deserves to be respected and heard. Pace not only supported me to make it to graduation, but also gave me the extra help I need to succeed after high school. My counselor helped me fill out my college application and I will be the first person in my family to attend college,” shared Alexis. 

Pace has seen transformational improvements among girls personally and professionally. Eight out of 10 girls graduate from high school, pursue higher education or secure employment after the program, and nine out of 10 have experienced overall academic improvement.

“We are proud to support Pace in their commitment to provide career and college opportunities to all girls,” said Jose Soto, State Farm Corporate Responsibility Analyst. “Our State Farm agents and employees enjoy volunteering at Pace Center career days, speaking opportunities on different insurance and finance topics, and other Pace Center community events.” 

The partnership between Pace Center for Girls and State Farm exemplifies the transformative power of collaboration in empowering young women through education, career readiness, and mental health support.