At Pace Center for Girls, we have developed a nationally recognized, research-based non-residential program model that features a balanced emphasis on academics and social services, with a focus on the future for middle and high-school aged girls and young women. The foundation of Pace is our gender-responsive culture where we provide a safe environment that celebrates girls. Pace offers services that take into account how girls learn and develop and our supportive staff members respond to and celebrate each girl’s strengths and challenges.

The holistic, strength-based, and asset building Pace program model addresses the needs of girls and has garnered recognition nationally as one of the most effective programs in the country for keeping girls from entering the juvenile justice system.

Why do girls attend Pace Jacksonville? Girls attend Pace to get appropriate counseling and education in a nurturing environment. To become enrolled, they must be between 12 to 17 years old, at least one year behind in school, and have 4 or more risk factors.

What are risk factors? Risk factors are the underlying issues that lead girls to academic underachievement. These are issues such as: foster home placement, substance abuse (by girl or family member), domestic violence, incarceration of a family member, neglect, physical/emotional/sexual abuse, grief, emotional health concerns, low income, and more.