PACE Center for Girls, Lee County celebrates the graduation of three students
FORT MYERS, Fla, (May 31, 2018) – PACE Center for Girls of Lee County celebrated the graduation of three students, Arianna D., Katya M. and Sara A. on Wednesday, May 30, 2018. The ceremony was held at PACE Center for Girls and Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto served as the keynote speaker.
Among an audience of families, friends, and staff, Senator Benacquisto shared inspiring words of the joy that comes with this moment of watching the girls take on the world. “There is just nothing better than seeing a young girl who didn’t believe in herself, didn’t know what she was supposed to do, and didn’t know how to navigate personal conflicts, conquer all of that and be so strong,” she said.
PACE Lee’s Executive Director, Meg Geltner, reflected on the graduates’ time spent at PACE and shared their words of gratitude for the PACE program. “Today is a celebration of all that is good about our students, counselors, teachers, and school. I am excited about the future for each of you.” PACE girls typically spend 12 to 18 months at PACE catching up on their academic courses while working with their counselor on developing coping skills to overcome their risk factors. Typically, girls will transition back into a public school to complete their education. Katya, Arianna and Sara all chose to spend their senior year at PACE with the friends and staff that supported them during their time at the center.
PACE assists girls ages 11 to 18 who have multiple risk factors impacting their academic achievement, including family income, substance abuse, domestic violence, foster home placement, neglect, grief, incarceration of a family member and physical, emotional or sexual abuse.
For more information or to schedule a tour, please call 239-425-2366 or visit www.pacecenter.org/locations/lee.
About PACE Center for Girls, Lee County
Since 2007, PACE Center for Girls, Lee County has been providing girls and young women an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy. The gender specific, strength-based program is one of 20 Centers throughout Florida, and is known throughout the nation as a best practices model for diverting girls from the juvenile justice system. PACE is a registered not-for-profit organization that relies on the support of individuals, businesses, civic/community organizations and churches in Lee County in order to serve girls and their families. Since its inception, PACE Center for Girls, Lee County has served more than 650 at-promise 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. For more information on PACE Center for Girls, Lee County, call 239-425-2366 or visit www.pacecenter.org/locations/lee.
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