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On May 3, 2024 Pace Center for Girls, Polk will host their annual Ten Story Challenge rappelling event at the Lakeland Electric building. This community event will feature remarkable stories from several Pace girls and alumnae. Pace believes that ‘Every Girl Deserves’ a future filled with opportunities, respect, and the agency to pursue her dreams. The event serves as a reminder of the progress we've achieved as a community, while also urging us to envision the next phase of this critical mission.
The girls and young women Pace support receive academic instruction and work closely with counselors and therapists trained in gender-responsive and trauma-based therapy. They also receive life coaching to learn basic life skills, such as personal hygiene, shopping for groceries and how to land their first job. These resources are made available to girls at no cost to them.
“Our girls have overcome tremendous obstacles, but they see themselves as we see them — as strong, beautiful, intellectual women that will be successful as they grow into their young adulthood,” said Ellen Katzman, ASCW, Executive Director of Pace Polk. “As our programming expands to provide more girls with social and academic services, we are incredibly grateful for the support of our community.”
Since its founding in 2001, Pace Polk has seen transformational improvements among girls personally and professionally. To date, more than 1,600 girls in Polk County have been served. Program highlights from fiscal year 2023 include:?
8 out of 10 girls have experienced overall academic improvement.
8 out of 10 girls have strengthened or maintained self-efficacy, the belief that you can succeed.
10 out of 10 are engaged in their community, measured by being enrolled in school, higher education, or employment.
For more information about Pace Polk or if you know a girl who could benefit from Pace, please visit www.pacecenter.org/locations/florida/polk. If you would like to join the Ten Story Challenge, please visit www.charity.pledgeit.org/tsc2024 email Julie McCobb, Development Manager at julie.mccobb@pacecenter.org.
The goal for this year’s Ten Story Challenge is to raise awareness to provide free mental health services to over 190 girls annually. Pace Polk will have 92 community members rappel down the Lakeland Electric building and their fundraising goal is $80,500. This event would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Pace Pasco would like to acknowledge and thank you to Publix Charities, Auto-Owners Insurance, Ewing Blackwelder & Duce Insurance, Poppel Insurance, Shapiro Insurance Group, Sale Insurance, Mulling Insurance, Lakeland Electric, MidFlorida Credit Union, CPS Investment Advisors, Lamar Advertising Company, Hall Communications, and Social Indoor for their invaluable contribution to the Ten Story Challenge.
To learn more about how Pace is finding the great in every girl, visit www.pacecenter.org.???