The anniversary event will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
TAMPA, Fla., Friday, Oct. 5, 2018 – PACE Center for Girls Hillsborough (PACE) will be celebrating its 20-year legacy at an upcoming luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 7, at the Rusty Pelican (2425 N Rocky Point Dr., Tampa) from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The anniversary event will celebrate two decades of PACE accomplishments, showcase the journey of a PACE girl throughout the years, and feature a keynote talk from TEDx and “The Oprah Winfrey Show” presenter, Rena Romano.
Since its creation in 1998, PACE Hillsborough has grown from providing services to 40 girls in that first year to now helping more than 3,000 middle and high school girls over its history. Currently, PACE serves 50-65 girls in the day program monthly, and an additional 120 girls participate the PACE Reach program that provides free behavioral and health services for those not enrolled in the day program.
“At PACE, we believe that every young girl is at-promise, and with the support of committed, compassionate and caring professionals, every girl’s past – no matter how dark – can be turned into a bright future,” said Tanya Hollins, regional executive director of PACE. “Our outcomes speak for themselves. Prior to coming to PACE, 89 percent of our girls were failing one or more classes; but while at PACE, 95 percent improved academically. After leaving PACE, 97 percent of our girls were in school, higher education, or employed.”
PACE Hillsborough’s opening came during a year of mass expansion for PACE, Inc. Five PACE centers – Hillsborough, Alachua, Collier, Pinellas, and Treasure Coast – opened in 1998 throughout the state that year. Then State Representative Sandra Murman worked with legislative members to secure funding for the creation of the Hillsborough facility.
“The Tampa Bay community needed to ensure young women had access to a program that served to foster encouragement, empowerment, and put them on a path to greatness,” said Hillsborough County Commissioner Murman. “I’m honored to be a part of PACE Hillsborough’s history and look forward to celebrating 20-years of successes on Nov. 7.”
The keynote for the event is nationally-recognized author and speaker Rena Romano. She will focus her talk on employing the right attitudes and actions to create the right mindset for accelerating results in business and life. Proceeds raised from the lunch will support the ongoing efforts of young women in its current program, with 10 percent of all luncheon sponsorships specifically benefiting the Richard and Barbara Manners Journey to Success scholarship fund for program alumnae to further their education beyond high school.
Focused on a strength-based, trauma-informed, and gender-responsive approach, PACE addresses the social and emotional needs of girls and is nationally recognized as one of the most effective programs in the country for keeping girls from entering the juvenile justice system. Many of the girls enroll into the program have experienced at least three or more risk factors that lead to academic underachievement, including: domestic violence, substance abuse, foster home placement, incarceration of a family member, physical and/or sexual abuse, and neglect.
To sponsor or purchase an individual ticket for the Legacy Luncheon, visit www.pacecenter.org/legacy-luncheon.
For more information about PACE Hillsborough and its mission, visit www.pacecenter.org/locations/hillsborough.
About PACE Center for Girls, Inc.
PACE Center for Girls, Inc. is a nationally recognized and research-based gender-responsive not-for-profit, 501(c) 3 serving more than 3,000 girls at 21 locations across Florida annually. PACE’s mission is to provide girls and young women an opportunity for a better future through academics, counseling, service learning, career preparation, and independent living skills. PACE values all girls, 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, visit www.pacecenter.org.
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