According to the Centers for Disease Control, 64% of children experience traumatic events or chronicly stressful life circumstances.  In collaboration with Kaiser Permanente Health System, the CDC conducted The Adverse Childhood Experience Study which found that the incidence of traumatic experiences in childhood showed a “strong and graded” relationship to many serious adult health problems, including early death. Additionally, research shows that traumatic and chronic stress interrupts a child’s learning, overriding their higher reasoning skills at a time when they are just developing.

Sanctuary at Pace

Understanding Trauma Seven Commitments of Sanctuary

Building Sanctuary®

Pace embraces the organizational philosophy of the Sanctuary® Model. Creating Sanctuary is the actual process of providing a safe and healing environment for children who need to recover from adversity in their childhood experience. Such experiences disrupt the normal development of a child and can interfere with the ability to learn.

Building on that knowledge, Pace is committed to reversing the effects of childhood adversit by creating a non-violent, democratic school communities where staff and students are empowered to overcome challenges. 

In 2008, Pace became the first organization in the nation to be certified as a Sactuary ® program by the Sanctuary® Institute. The Institute is a world leader in the field of trauma focused care and implementation of the Sanctuary model of organizational change that creates a safe environment where emotional and psychological healing can occur.

Since that time, over 150 agencies in 5 countries have begun the journey of building Sanctuary® in their own organizations.  Pace is part of the Sanctuary® Network of agencies committed to creating healthy communities that help people heal from the devastating effects of early traumatic experiences.