| | PAL Beginnings
The Police Athletic League (PAL) has a 90-year history of caring and providing alternatives for youth at risk. PAL’s beginning actually started back in the 1910’s when Captain John Sweeney of the New York City Police Department had the insight to offer inner-city youth some positive experiences with law enforcement. He began the PAL program knowing, by providing a safe environment and a supportive role models to guide activities, it would have a positive influence on their youth. Police involvement and supervision at places of play - ball fields, classrooms, playgrounds engaged the children and helped to position Police Officers as friends. And the concept grew....
Today, PAL centers offer structured and personal guidance in a safe, friendly environment and provide a variety of activities, from organized competitive sports, recreational activities, arts and educational programming to cultural and social skill development programs. PAL is a volunteer-driven organization with an estimated 80,000 volunteers across the country supporting all levels of programming. Although chapters are sponsored by law enforcement agencies, many PAL programs are dependent in large part by support from private sectors such as individuals, business leaders, corporations and foundations. |
