Pace Center for Girls of Manatee County
The mission of the Pace is to provide girls and young women an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training, and advocacy. Pace values all girls and young women, believing each one deserves an opportunity to find her voice, achieve her potential, and celebrate a life defined by responsibility, dignity, serenity, and grace.
The holistic, gender-specific, strength-based, and trauma-informed Pace program model addresses the needs of girls and has garnered recognition nationally as one of the most effective programs in the country for keeping girls from entering the juvenile justice system. Girls who attend school at Pace do so voluntarily and have made a decision to change their lives. At Pace, we meet each girl where she is, lovingly wrap our arms around her, and help her take the next step. Pace girls are tomorrow’s workforce, community members and the next generation of mothers.
November 13, 2023
Sammi B.
Once a PACE girl, always a PACE girl. Being part of PACE Center for Girls' first graduating class was transformative. PACE provided unwavering support during challenging times, boosting my confidence and helping me discover my true potential. The staff's personalized attention and encouragement were instrumental in overcoming obstacles and achieving academic success. PACE is more than an institution; it's a caring community that goes beyond academics. Thank you, PACE Center for Girls, for making a profound difference in my life.
November 13, 2023
Sammi B.
Once a PACE girl, always a PACE girl. Being part of PACE Center for Girls' first graduating class was transformative. PACE provided unwavering support during challenging times, boosting my confidence and helping me discover my true potential. The staff's personalized attention and encouragement were instrumental in overcoming obstacles and achieving academic success. PACE is more than an institution; it's a caring community that goes beyond academics. Thank you, PACE Center for Girls, for making a profound difference in my life.
June 30, 2020
Terri Marcus
PACE Center for Girls Manatee County is providing a quality education for young women who are not able, for different reasons, to thrive in a public school setting. PACE staff provides quality teachers, life skills coaching, counselors, as well as volunteers who mentor. I have been honored to volunteer with PACE for 3 yrs. I am struck every time by the caring and nurturing atmosphere of the building. These young women are allowed to grow and mature, explore different higher educational opportunities while developing valuable interpersonal and social skills needed as an adult. Manatee County is blessed to have this school, lead by Amy Mavis Wicks.