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Gulf Breeze residents offer help to troubled girls

One third of the members of the PACE Center for Girls' board of directors are from Gulf Breeze. Front row, fromleft: Gail Williams, past president, Marianne Moore, Marie Sarrat, Marianne Estess. Back row: Brenda Vigodsky, President Elaine Davis, Susan Finger and Sharon Marcus. Not pictured: Laverne Baker and Mona Brown. Many young girls are getting a second chance at life thanks to the PACE Center for Girls. The mission to help these girls turn their lives around, complete their education and overcome their troubled past is led by Gulf Breeze resident Elaine Davis, and her 27-member board has one-third of its members from Gulf Breeze.

Why are so many Gulf Breeze residents dedicating their time and talents to an organization located in Pensacola?

"The PACE Center for Girls became a part of my life at a time when I needed and was looking for a way to give back to my community," said Brenda Vigodsky. The day 13 years ago I heard a PACE student speak about the changes in her life resulting from involvement in the PACE program, I found a place to make a commitment. I am constantly inspired by staff and students. The staff truly cares about each and every girl's future. Because of this support, the girls begin to believe in themselves, acquire confidence and begin the journey to become contributing members of society."

The PACE program is housed on campus at Pensacola Junior College, where the 53 girls attend classes daily from 7:30 to 2 p.m. Eligible girls range from 11 years old, or sixth graders, to 18 years old. Many problems are identified as early as middle school, and the PACE program seeks to intervene before problems get out of control.

One girl who is enrolled in the program told the board that before attending the PACE Center, her school days were punctuated with fights and she didn't understand the importance of attending school. Her grades were all F's and she got a referral to the dean's office every day.

After six months enrolled in the PACE program, her attitude turned around completely. She was the student of the month with a 3.7 grade point average. She read a poem that she wrote, stating that the program gave her a voice by boosting her confidence and self esteem.

Estess Marianne Estess said she dedicates her time to the board because PACE Center girls "want to change their lives for the better. That was something new to me," Estess said.

The girls come from every walk of life. Some have broken homes and incarcerated parents. Others fell in with the wrong crowd. Some are runaways and others have been arrested. All are in danger of dropping out of school.

"I have always believed that education, combined with social skills and self esteem, are the pathway to success," said Gail Williams, past president of the PACE board of directors.

Sharon Marcus was touched by the stories the girls told about their home lives and circumstances. "I just wanted to help. I believe every child should be given the opportunities to succeed."

The girls volunteer to participate in the PACE program, and are interviewed for eligibility into the program. Once the girls arrive at the PACE Center, they attend classes that must meet strenuous requirements, above and beyond those in public schools.

Williams The center gets funding from the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Education but must raise about $60,000 each year to perform its mission. Executive Director Laurie Rodgers says the board helps raise the money each year though fundraisers such as the "Bag It" purse auction and luncheon which is scheduled for Oct. 14 at DeLuna's Landing in downtown Pensacola.

Rodgers says the turnaround in the girls is tangible. "You can actually visually see and hear the positive changes in the girls," she said. PACE is a safe, nurturing environment where the girls can heal. Each classroom has a high teacher to student ratio, with girls ranging from 6th grade to 12th grade in a single classroom. The computers the students use were purchased with funds from Impact 100, an area woman's group that selected PACE as a recipient in 2008.

Besides the core classes, girls are taught about taking care of themselves, about the dangers of substance abuse, how to cope, about their communities and families and the skills they will need to become independent adults.

The board of directors also plans fun events such as Halloween and Thanksgiving parties with the girls, who seem to relish the opportunity to make crafts, decorate and act like a kid, sometimes for the first time in a very long time.

Vigodsky Girls are rewarded for perfect attendance and for academic achievements with a celebration that can include a day of beauty and a photo shoot.

Board member Susan Finger said, "PACE doesn't give these girls a handout; it gives them the tools to cope in their world and they learn that they are valuable people."

A former high school administrator in Louisiana, Marie Sarrat has a unique perspective. "I encountered many girls who needed an environment other than a traditional high school in order to succeed … I cannot change what happened to many of the girls in my former position, but I feel that my involvement with PACE may make the difference in the lives of other girls, and that gives me a great deal of satisfaction."

Davis says serving on the PACE Center board is deeply satisfying. " PACE gives me such satisfaction. I believe we are helping at risk girls one at a time. Their individual stories touch my heart. Watching these girls change their lives around is what drives us to volunteer.... it is pleasure to see positive things happening at the center every day. "

Rodgers Finger Sarrat Davis