Meet The Team

Jessica Nelson is the Co-founder and Director of Pace Project Inc., a nonprofit born from lived experience, resilience, and a deep passion for helping others heal and rebuild.
Having experienced significant personal trauma, addiction, and life challenges, Jessica understands firsthand the impact that instability, grief, and generational struggles can have on individuals and families. Through her own recovery journey, she transformed pain into purpose and has dedicated her life to creating safe, supportive spaces for healing, empowerment, and community connection.
Now celebrating over 4 years in recovery, Jessica is committed to breaking cycles, restoring hope, and advocating for adolescents and families impacted by trauma, substance use, and adversity. As both a leader and someone with lived experience, she believes healing happens through compassion, community, accountability, and access to meaningful support.
Pace Project, Inc. was founded on the belief that every person deserves hope, dignity, and the opportunity to thrive—regardless of their past.

Jessica’s mission is simple: to turn lived experience into lasting change and ensure no one has to navigate healing alone. 

Britney Nelson is a psychology major at Bridgewater State University and board member of Pace Project,  Her academic background in psychology and lived experiences inform her understanding of adolescent development, behavior, and the importance of early intervention in shaping long-term outcomes.

Through Pace Project, Britney works to expand access to education, community resources, and compassionate support systems that help young people build resilience and navigate adversity with confidence. She is especially focused on reducing stigma before it becomes a barrier to healing, emphasizing prevention, empathy, and practical support.

Britney is committed to bridging psychological insight with real-world impact, working toward communities where mental wellness is prioritized and seeking help is viewed as a strength rather than a weakness.

We are grateful to have her helping us create meaningful impact and stronger communities.

We are honored to introduce Chelsea Fontes, a valued Board Member of Pace Project, Inc.

Chelsea brings compassion, dedication, and a heart for serving the community. Passionate about supporting healing, growth, and positive change, she plays an important role in helping guide the mission and vision of Pace Project, Inc.

"I grew up fast. I had my child at 16, and at a young age I had to learn how to survive, show up, and figure life out while I was still growing myself. My story hasn’t always been easy, but it’s real and I believe there is power in telling the truth, even the parts people are afraid to say out loud. As a woman in long-term recovery and a recovery coach, this work is personal to me. I know what it feels like to come from pain, trauma, and cycles that feel impossible to break. That’s why I’m passionate about helping children, young people, and families break the cycles they were never meant to carry.
My purpose is to use my story, my experience, and my voice to help others feel seen, heard, and supported. I want people to know they don’t have to become what they came from. Healing is possible, change is possible, and the cycle can end with us."

We are grateful to have her to help us create an impact in our youth community.