Pace Palm Beach honored a local family with the dedication of “Melissa’s Garden,” a student-supported memorial space created in honor of Melissa, whose life was tragically lost to suicide last spring
Palm Springs, FL - In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Pace Center for Girls Palm Beach hosted a heartfelt dedication ceremony honoring a local family who experienced the tragic loss of their daughter, Melissa, to suicide last spring. The ceremony marked the official dedication of “Melissa’s Garden,” a peaceful space created to honor her memory while raising awareness about the importance of mental health support for young people and families throughout the community.
Held at Pace Palm Beach’s campus in Palm Springs, the event brought together students, staff, volunteers, community supporters, and the family for a meaningful tribute centered on healing, hope, and remembrance.
“Melissa’s Garden” was made possible through the collective efforts of Pace girls, volunteers, and community supporters. Pace girls participated in fundraising efforts for the garden’s build-out by selling chocolates to help support the project. Additionally, three dedicated volunteers donated their time and talents to construct the arden boxes, benches, and picnic tables over two weekends, helping transform the vision into a welcoming and reflective outdoor space.
The dedication ceremony served as both a tribute to Melissa’s life and a reminder of the critical need for accessible mental health resources and compassionate support systems for girls and young women. Throughout the event, attendees reflected on the importance of open conversations surrounding mental health and suicide prevention, especially among youth.
“Melissa’s Garden is a space rooted in love, remembrance, and healing,” shared Mindy Hanken, Executive Director of Pace Center for Girls Palm Beach. “While no family should ever have to endure the heartbreak of losing a child to suicide, we hope this garden serves as a lasting tribute to Melissa’s life and a place where our girls and community can reflect, find comfort, and remember the importance of supporting one another through life’s most difficult moments. We are deeply grateful to Melissa’s family, our girls, and the volunteers who helped create something so meaningful in her honor.”
The ceremony highlighted Pace Palm Beach’s ongoing commitment to supporting the social and emotional well-being of girls through individualized care, counseling services, and community partnerships. As mental health challenges continue to affect young people across the country, Pace remains dedicated to fostering resilience, connections, and emotional wellness for every girl it serves.
Through projects like “Melissa’s Garden,” Pace Palm Beach continues to advance its mission of creating environments where girls feel empowered, supported, and equipped to navigate life’s challenges. The organization hopes the dedication inspires continued awareness surrounding mental health and encourages compassionate conversations about healing, prevention, and support for those impacted by loss.
To learn more about Pace Palm Beach and how to get involved, visit www.pacecenter.org.
###
About Pace Center for Girls
Pace provides free year-round middle and high school academics, case management, counseling, and life skills development in a safe and supportive environment that recognizes and deals with past trauma and builds upon girls’ individual strengths. Dedicated to meeting the social, emotional, and educational needs of girls, Pace has a successful and proven program model that has changed the life trajectory of more than 40,000 girls and is recognized as one of the nation’s leading advocates for girls in need. For more information on Pace Center for Girls, visit www.pacecenter.org.
Replies