The gathering aimed to raise awareness about the only gender-responsive school in our county
Photos by Khanna House Studios
Palm Springs, FL (May 19, 2025) – Over 50 attendees filled the room at Pace Center for Girls Palm Beach on Thursday, May 1, 2025, to learn more about the second-chance, gender-responsive school for girls and young women while also showing communal support for a great mission. The year-round, tuition-free school is a strength-based program, meaning they understand each girl’s unique challenges and strengths, offering guidance that empowers students to succeed. The event included a presentation by Mindy Hanken, Executive Director at Pace Palm Beach. It featured exclusive tours of the different classrooms and common areas it offers to its enrolled girls.
During the day, the girls shared with the visitors about recent field trips they’ve taken, like the one to the Capitol, and how Pace makes them feel supported. Pace Palm Beach provides academic and behavioral support to middle and high school girls ages 11-17 across Palm Beach County School Districts. The girls at Pace receive year-round academic instruction in small class sizes for individualized attention and work closely with counselors and therapists trained in girl-centered and trauma-based therapy. They are provided with leadership and community service opportunities, life skill development, career readiness, and individual goal planning, including high school diploma tracks, credit recovery tracks, and GED graduation tracks. These resources are made available to girls at no cost to them.
“I appreciate everyone who came to Open Doors, Open Hearts to learn more about Pace, our mission, and how we can continue supporting girls in Palm Beach County,” said Mindy Hanken, Executive Director of Pace Palm Beach. “Seeing their eagerness to support our girls was moving, and I am excited to see the collaborations that come from this.”
Pace is a safe and supportive environment for over 150 girls served annually in Palm Beach County. Girls at Pace Palm Beach also receive life coaching to learn essential life skills, such as personal hygiene, grocery shopping, and landing their first job. Pace Palm Beach also offers therapy and counseling services for teenage girls throughout Palm Beach County at schools, homes, and locations throughout the community. These resources are made available to girls at no cost.
Open Doors, Open Hearts attendees included the South Florida Women’s Networking Group and representation from community allies like BeWellPBC, Inner City Innovators, Community Partners of South Florida, Fancy Smiles Dental Practice, and more.
To learn more about how to support Pace, or open enrollment, visit www.pacecenter.org.
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About Pace Center for Girls 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.