
WHO: Courtney Barnard, State & Local Government Affairs, Verizon Global Services and
Pace Center for Girls
WHAT: Courtney stopped by to deliver an investment in Pace and meet the girls Verizon is helping (photo attached)
WHEN: 2/9/2023
WHERE: Pace Center for Girls, Manatee – temporary location at 4030 Manatee Avenue West
WHY: Verizon seeks to improve lives and communities, investing $5,000 for Pace’s
Growth and Change System
“Verizon is proud to support Pace Manatee and their work to provide opportunities for girls in need. It was an honor to visit the student showcase, address the girls, celebrate their accomplishments and share information about Verizon programs such as the Affordable Connectivity Program that can help Pace families.” – Courtney Barnard
Girls come to Pace seeking hope, but it takes commitment and hard work to develop a future where they can break the cycle of poverty, abuse, and academic failure. Pace’s Growth and Change system is a behavior modification program built on both Pace’s mission and Values and Guiding Principles. Girls promote through five stages (Opportunity, Responsibility, Dignity, Serenity, and Grace) by completing increasing tasks and obligations. Color coded workbooks and point sheets are carried throughout the day to all academic classes and counseling sessions, with staff documenting points based upon goal and task completion. Girls must also track, complete, and reflect on goals. Once they reach the higher stages, they begin to see future paths filled with opportunities for higher education and fulfilling careers.
“We value the contributions from our community to celebrate and support our girls on their individual journey of growth & change.” – Amy Wick Mavis, Executive Director, Pace Center for Girls
Pace is thankful to Verizon for this investment to help Pace find the great in every girl.
About Pace Center for Girls
Pace Center for Girls envisions a world where all girls and young women have power, in a just and equitable society. Founded in 1985, Pace provides free year-round middle and high school academics, case management, counseling, and life skills development in a safe and supportive environment that recognizes and deals with past trauma and builds upon girls’ individual strengths. Dedicated to meeting the social, emotional, and education needs of girls, Pace has a successful and proven program model that has changed the life trajectory of more than 40,000 girls and is recognized as one of the nation’s leading advocates for girls in need. For more information on Pace Center for Girls, visit www.pacecenter.org