Pace Miami opened its doors to the Miami Community on March 6, 2014. Pace Miami is an innovative prevention and intervention program that addresses the needs of Girls from the ages of 11-17, who have suffered trauma and consequently are failing in school or at risk of becoming involved in the Juvenile Justice system. The model is an holistic approach combining academic services and social services therefore offering small classroom instruction, one-on-one counselling, case management, health and wellness coaching and positive decision making. We believe this model encourages our Girls to find and use their voices and empowers them to realize their true and full potential. In 2015, Pace Miami was awarded the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Novo Award for Nonprofit Business Innovative Excellence.

This is Faithe's story:

Pace Center for Girls provides girls and young women an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy. We help heal the past, and provide stability and support to create brighter futures.

Pace Miami has been changing the lives of girls in our community for more than six years.  Girls like Faithe, who shares her story here.  When I was a little girl, I had trouble with reading and I didn’t pass my first year of kindergarten; I didn’t quite understand what was going on. Three years later,while I was in the third grade, my wonderful father was murdered. I was still not doing well in school and I went from having a loving present father to having no father at all. I failed third grade. 

Now two grades behind I started to feel like a failure. I moved through
elementary school and on to middle school. I tried to stay focused, but I was still struggling and I started to get influenced in negative ways. I heard about Pace, but I was skeptical about going to a school full of girls. I just felt that girls were nothing but drama. My view on Pace changed after I met that Pace staff and saw they really cared about me and my future. At Pace, my grades started to improve dramatically, and I am proud to say I got straight A’s my last semester. It’s not just the teachers, but without every counselor I had, I would not have the mental stability I have today. All my counselors help me recognize and overcome my anger and depression. I learned so many coping skills that I use today. Pace has helped me learn to be a better me.  It has given me the courage to tell my story, and to find my voice. So yes, I am proud to say I graduated in the Class of 2019! Next Stop the Military! Remember once a Pace girl always a Pace girl. 

After Pace Miami, 98% of girls have no involvement with Juvenile Justice System, within one year, 91% academically improved and 81% are in school or employed. An ongoing relationship with our Pace Girls is key – once a Pace Girl always a Pace Girl! Creating a lasting pathway to success is the ultimate goal for our Pace Girls. Please help us continue this tradition of success for our girls and or community by donating to Pace today!