CLAY COUNTY – Pace Center for Girls, a nationally-recognized program that provides girls and young women an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy, received an $85,000 grant from The State Farm Companies Foundation which gives charitable grants to nonprofit initiatives that help build up and meet the needs of their communities. The funding supports Pace’s service-learning program designed to help girls to engage in leadership development and give back to their local communities.

Local Pace girls and State Farm agents delivered more than 200 COVID-19 care packages to seniors across Clay and Duval counties through the service-learning program. This state-wide initiative took place across all Pace centers, totaling over 2,100 care packages.

“Working with Pace girls to give back to our community has been a rewarding experience,” said Jose Soto, State Farm Corporate Responsibility Analyst. “Senior citizens are more vulnerable than ever due to the pandemic and are experiencing increased isolation and loneliness. While we’ve been able to brighten someone’s day, our agents have also helped girls learn important life skills, such as organization, teamwork and the importance of giving back.”

The Pace Center for Girls-Clay is located at 1241 Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park.

State Farm is committed to helping build safer, stronger and better-educated communities. Local agents worked alongside Pace girls to give back to their community. In addition to developing and delivering the care packages, Pace girls were introduced to new career opportunities across a variety of industries including insurance, community service and elder care.

“At Pace, our girls’ service-learning experiences are closely tied to their development and future success,” said Tanya Hollins, Vice President Program Operations and Strategic Implementation for Pace.  “Acknowledging the power of community and instilling the importance of community involvement supports girls’ healthy development. Generous donations and grants like this one from State Farm make programs like this possible, teaching Pace girls these valuable life lessons.”

For more than 36 years, Pace has impacted the lives of more than 40,000 girls and young women, helping them heal from past trauma and create a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy.

For more information about Pace Center for Girls, please visit pacecenter.org.