In 2009 I was presented with an award for “excellence” from the students representing The Keys Center (formerly PACE). A year prior to this award, the PACE program in Key West was one of two programs in the state of Florida whose funding was completely pulled. Immediate steps had to be taken to save the program. FKCC was able to offer a home to the program on the West campus.
The program, now called Keys Girls, serves underprivileged and at-risk girls in the community and was able to put 35 homeless students ages 18-24 into higher education.
I believe being able to provide these services and real opportunity to the less privileged in our community is a fundamental calling for community colleges.
