Today my neighbor, Kay, and I have had the pleasure of hosting an event to bring attention to the Clay PACE Center for Girls which recently opened for this county's girls 'at risk'. I have written about this on more than one occasion, the first time after I heard Senator Bradley speak at the Republican Women's meeting last June. The State budget had been tweaked and tucked but somehow some funding was found to support this important program. Primarily the PACE program offers girls a chance to get caught up academically in a non-threatening and safe environment, plus provides them with social support and skills so they can be ready when they leave school and move into the workforce, etc.
Here are some photos from the gathering:
Apple dumplings which Justin started last night and I finished this a.m.
Kay bought the fancy cupcakes and the fruit tray. I made breakfast casseroles. This one was the easiest and went the quickest.
This casserole was intended for the slow cooker but I had concerns about it being lost in the bottom of it. Justin researched the conversion for me so I could bake it instead and happily turned out perfectly! Made with cinnamon rolls, heavy cream plus eggs.
This is the table before the ladies started their breakfast
The Executive Director of PACE, Destiny, addressed the ladies. Seated is Kathy M. and standing is Kay, my fellow hostess
Kay got a turn to speak to the group as a representative of the Board for PACE. Seated from left are Susan, Lynn, Judy C., Debbie, Betty, Jacquie, and Kathy M.
This young woman, a student at PACE, was a riveting speaker, sharing her story of how she found the program and how it's benefiting her. More than one person besides myself found themselves counting their blessings after hearing what kind of life she's had. But Tay Tay is full of hope for her future, announcing she wishes to become an entrepreneur and motivational speaker. I think today her career began!
While Kay addressed the group, Terri, Destiny, and Kimberly, against the wall, the lady who gave Nancy and me the tour in August, listened. In the foyer you can see the piles of items donated by the ladies to make available for the girls at PACE to purchase with points they earn during the week for meeting goals and such. Even people who couldn't be there dropped off items for the girls. (Click the photo to see the piles better)
It was our privilege to host this event and am blessed to have these generous ladies in my life and today, in my home. I even had people ask to be invited---how about that? I am already thinking about whom to invite for the next one, probably after New Year.
The ladies were able to fill out cards with their contact info and a place to sign up for tours. I didn't get a look at the cards to see how many did that, but my guess is that a good portion are more than interested.
Thankfully Terri and Debbie helped get the donations hauled down to the car and then helped me tidy up. Terri even helped Kay carry her stuff home again while I put my stuff away. In no time it was all cleaned up, looking like nothing happened. Terri and I sat for a bit before she had to get back for work. My bones and muscles like it that I am now resting, too. They are exhausted but thrilled right along with the rest of me!
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