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Fashion Show, Auction Benefit PACE Center For Girls

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By MEGAN HUSSEY

Tribune correspondent

Published: September 20, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - Ten models will strut down the runway at this year's PACE Center for Girls Inc. of Pasco County's third annual Fashion Show.

This show will take place Oct. 4 at Seven Springs Golf and Country Club, showcasing a range of fashion styles courtesy of Dillard's of Gulf View Square mall.

Yet according to organizers, the real stars of this show will be the young women it benefits. All proceeds from the show will benefit PACE, a Pasco organization that provides a variety of services for at-risk girls.

"The fashion show will benefit our whole program, which includes counseling and academic services, plus three years of intensive follow-up services," said Danielle Taylor-Fagan, executive director of PACE Center for Girls.

PACE of Pasco is a local division of a statewide organization that caters to girls ages 12 through 18 identified as dependent, truant, runaway, delinquent or in need of academic skills.

According to www.pace center.org, "PACE Practical Academic Cultural Education accepts referrals from the juvenile justice system, the Department of Children and Families, school personnel, community services agencies, parents, family members and friends, as well as self-referrals. Its purpose is to intervene and prevent school withdrawal, juvenile delinquency, teen pregnancy, substance abuse and welfare dependency in a safe and nurturing environment."

The PACE day program, according to Taylor-Fagan, offers academic classes, group counseling, individual therapy, study halls, field trips and community service projects, plus breakfast and lunch for the girls.

According to the Web site, "every girl at PACE sets individual educational and social goals that are focused on earning a high school diploma or GED, re-entering public school, attending college, getting vocational training, joining the military or entering the private workforce."

Last year's fashion show generated $10,000 for the Pasco PACE program, which during 2006-07 reported a substantial success rate, with 93 percent of the girls enrolled improving their academic performance, 90 percent advancing by at least one school year, and 84 percent avoiding involvement in the juvenile justice system.

In addition to supporting this program, guests at the fashion show will see the latest fashions courtesy of Dillard's, which provides clothes, music, makeup and hairstyling services.

"You can see what Dillard's has to offer the community," said Taylor-Fagan. "If they see anything they like, they can find it just a hop, skip and a jump away at Gulf View Square mall."

Guests also can enjoy a buffet brunch that includes salads, muffins, juices and fresh fruits; and live and silent auctions that will feature items such as diamond and pearl jewelry, bundled gift packages, a painting, handbags, restaurant gift certificates, and even a fireplace and a fishing trip.

"It's a wonderful way for people to purchase gifts for the holidays, and for themselves, at prices that are not their regular retail," Taylor-Fagan said.

Moreover, guests will enjoy the show in a bright atmosphere bedecked with flowers, and featuring 10 fashion models who represent the PACE board and volunteer staff.

"We'll let the models decorate the room," Taylor-Fagan said. "It's all to support and help the girls."

FASHION SHOW

EVENT DETAILS: PACE Center for Girls Inc. of Pasco County's third annual Fashion Show will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 4 at Seven Springs Golf and Country Club, 3535 Trophy Blvd, New Port Richey.

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS: All proceeds from the event will benefit the students of PACE Pasco.

PACE, according to a release, "provides intensive educational services; individual, group and crisis counseling; a nationally recognized gender-responsive life management curriculum; and three years of comprehensive follow-up services to at-risk adolescent girls in Pasco County."

SOME HISTORY: PACE Center for Girls, according to www.pacecenter.org, "is a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 corporation that provides a nonresidential delinquency prevention program in locations statewide ... PACE operates 17 centers throughout Florida and a reach program. Since its creation in 1983 PACE has served more than 17,000 girls."

GET INVOLVED: To purchase tickets, learn about sponsorship options, make a contribution to event auctions or for information, call PACE Center for Girls at (727) 849-1901, ext. 21. Individual tickets are $30 per person and can be purchased at PACE, 5462 Grand Blvd, Suite 205, New Port Richey.

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