Pace Center for Girls has received a $100,000 grant from State Farm Insurance to support career and college preparation for the young women it serves in 21 programs around the state, including Alachua County. 

The grant will go to Pace’s comprehensive vocational and education program, which is intended to help girls through adversity, giving them the tools they need to get a high school diploma or GED, skills for long-term employment and to pursue higher education. 

As part of the grant, $42,000 will go to scholarships for Pace girls. 

“One of the greatest responsibilities we have as a society is to ensure all girls and young women have access to opportunities to be successful as adults,” Mary Marx, president and CEO of Pace, said in a press release. “We are grateful to State Farm for investing in Pace and providing us the opportunity to enhance our life-skills training and career and college readiness pathways.” 

A press release highlighted the story of a local Pace participant named Alexis, who will receive a scholarship to help her become the first person in her family to attend college. Alexis plans to study psychology at Santa Fe College this fall with a goal of becoming a therapist. 

Pace serves over 3,000 young women and girls annually with education, counseling, training and advocacy, according to the release. 

Eight out of 10 Pace girls graduate from high school, pursue higher education or secure employment, according to the release, and nine out of 10 improved academically. 

“We are proud to support Pace in their commitment to provide career and college opportunities to all girls,” Jose Soto, State Farm corporate responsibility analyst, said in the release. 

Soto said State Farm agents and employees like to volunteer at Pace Center career days and speaking opportunities.