May 2017 | 39
What is the biggest moment that has
stood out in the last year?
This past calendar year has brought such
immense and important growth to our center
and the services we provide to our girls and
their families. Because of the strength of our
program and our community support, PACE
Escambia - Santa Rosa was honored to be
chosen as the 3rd of 19 centers in the state of
Florida to be provided funds to open a PACE
Reach Program. PACE Reach is an extension
of our day program, which allows us to offer
counseling and care management services to
an additional 80 or more girls per year. PACE
Reach goes out to the girls, wherever they are;
in their homes, schools, community settings
and provides them with free counseling and
care management services, including tutoring
and group counseling at our afterschool
Enrichment Lab at the center.
When originally launched, transportation
was such a huge barrier that the Krewe of
Gatsby Girls took note and donated a van
which immediately helped to alleviate some
of the scheduling strain. Not long after,
we received the ultimate ‘stand out’ gift of
$108,000 from the ladies of IMPACT 100
Bay Area, which allowed us to purchase four
brand new, dedicated vehicles for the REACH
Program. These vehicles allow us to change
the lives of even more girls per year – change
that will impact them right now and
will allow them the skills necessary
to build the future they desire and
deserve.
What are some ways that
community members can
contribute, help and get
involved?
We are always planning the next
big event, so watch the community
events calendar in this magazine
and check out our Facebook page to
see what’s coming up next. Outside
of coming to one of our annual
fundraisers, I highly encourage and
invite anyone interested in learning
more about PACE to call us and
set up a time to come over for a tour of the
building. I’d love to introduce you to a few
of our young ladies and have them show you
the center through their eyes. It’s a moving
experience, for sure. If you are interested
in getting involved and receiving regular
communication from PACE, we’ll invite you to
join our Friends of PACE program, which is a
free, no-obligation membership.
What is the most rewarding part of
your job?
Oh, that’s easy – it’s knowing that we truly
make a difference in the lives of girls in our
community!
What plans does PACE Escambia –
Santa Rosa have for the future?
Would it surprise you to hear that we are
always planning more growth? At the
organizational level, we are preparing to open
our first out-of-state center in Macon, Georgia,
later this year. Here at PACE Escambia – Santa
Rosa, our staff is always thinking up creative
new ways to inspire and better serve our
girls. We’ve just recently begun a year-round
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering
and Mathematics) Academy for the girls that
offers them even more hands-on educational
opportunities, fieldtrips and vocational
exposure for this rapidly growing field of
study.
We have monthly celebrations and seasonal
parties and events and then we have some big
annual events that are a lot of fun. PACE Prom
is coming up in May and this year’s theme is
the Roaring 20’s honoring the Krewe of Gatsby
Girls, who are hosting and helping to plan
prom. We are currently accepting new and used
prom and party dresses, shoes and accessories
for our girls – which are gratefully accepted at
our front office, Monday through Friday from
8:30am to 4:00pm.
Describe a situation working with the
organization that really stood out
and touched you?
I’d have to say that it’s so much more than
just one moment or event that strikes me as
especially significant – although, thankfully,
there are plenty of those to choose.
The most touching moments are often
surprises; like a visit from a former
PACE girl that I taught 20 years ago or
running into a recent graduate at their
job. It’s that moment where I am face-
to-face with a smart, confidant young
woman and I can see just how the work
we do here helped her to heal and grow.
At the center, we have an entire hallway
dedicated to former students and their
‘success stories’ that I get to walk past
every day. It’s a wonderful testament to
the strength and perseverance of women
of all ages – and I invite your readers to
call us and arrange a tour of our facility
where they can read these stories and see
the center ‘in action’ firsthand.
Interview With Laurie Rodgers
Regional Executive Director
Girl Power! Florida is booming with it.
Pace Center for Girls, Inc. celebrates the
power and potential of young girls.
38-39 GiveCareShare PACE Center for Girls.indd 2
4/23/17 2:01 PM