Pace Center for Girls breaks ground on new Clay County location

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — Crews dumped dirt on Friday for the foundation of a site that is set to serve as a structure for vulnerable girls in Clay County.

Chrissy Lucas said she works with middle and high schoolers dealing with unresolved trauma at Pace Center for Girls.

She told Action News Jax, “They have so much potential and just need someone to help them see how great they really are.”

The organization’s President and CEO Mary Marx explained, “What we do at Pace is provide the full academic school day and comprehensive wrap around services so we can help them overcome that trauma.”

According to Marx, Pace has served Clay County since 2015.

She said the center is helping 55 girls at their Tanglewood location, which they’ve quickly outgrown.

“We partner with public schools and send some of our staff to work with the girls directly in the public schools. With that program, there will be about another 80 girls a year we can serve,” said Marx.

Friday’s groundbreaking meant it’s only a matter of time before they’re done with the $3.5 million building.

Marx said completion is set for March 2021.

Lucas said it will give girls more room to grow and exceed their own expectations.

She stated, “Even girls that are no longer with us are going to want to come and be a part of it just to have a home.”

Click here for more information on Pace Center for Girls: https://www.pacecenter.org/pace-home

Cox Media Group