Officials from the Community Foundation of North Central Florida recently presented a $3,300 donation to the Pace Center for Girls in Alachua. This funding will support local programs and services aimed at helping young women in our area.
The donation comes from the Halbert C. and Ruth A. Smith Fund, as well as a second, anonymous fund. These contributions will help finance comprehensive programming that provides essential support for girls in the Gainesville area, empowering them to succeed.
Pace’s dedicated team of educators, therapists, and counselors offers free, year-round academic services for middle and high school students, along with counseling and social, emotional, and behavioral support for girls aged 11-17 and their families.
Heidi Keegan, Executive Director of Pace Alachua, said, “The partnership between CFNCF and Pace reflects our shared commitment to improving the quality of life for girls and young women in our community. We are continuously grateful for CFNCF’s support, which enables us to serve our girls and address their needs.”
Pace provides life skills training, career preparation, and personalized approaches tailored to each girl’s unique strengths, experiences, and needs. With nearly forty years of experience and proven methods, officials with Pace said their program’s nationally recognized early intervention model has effectively reduced unemployment and involvement in the juvenile justice system.
A 2019 research study found that girls attending Pace are nearly twice as likely to be on track to graduate from high school compared to those with similar risk factors who did not attend Pace.
