BRONX YOUNGSTERS CELEBRATE LAUNCH OF POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE’S 2011 SUMMER PLAY STREETS PROGRAM

Here is more on the PAL 2011 Play Streets Program. Please forward to any youth looking for ways to enjoy their summer. For anyone interested in more information on the program the web site related to the program is listed at the very end of the press release.

Gregory
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BRONX YOUNGSTERS CELEBRATE LAUNCH OF POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE’S
2011 SUMMER PLAY STREETS PROGRAM


Children cool off under a fire hydrant at the opening ceremony of PAL’s Summer Play Streets Program.

The Police Athletic League (PAL) kicked off the 2011 Summer Play Streets Program on July 6, 2011, at the PAL Harlem Center, on Manhattan Avenue at 119th Street, with hundreds of PAL youngsters playing Skelly, Double Dutch jump rope, Nok Hockey, Hopscotch, Jacks, Tug-of-War and other traditional city sidewalk games.

Bronx children participated in the opening ceremonies and cooled off under a fire hydrant opened by PAL Board Member and Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr., PAL Vice Chairman Robert J. McGuire, NYPD Community Affairs Inspector David Colon and PAL Acting Executive Director Alana Sweeny. PAL Honorary President and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly also visited the children and participated in the celebration.

“We are excited to open the 2011 PAL Play Streets season today. Thanks to our many generous supporters, our kids can have a safe, stimulating and enjoyable experience throughout the summer months,” said Alana Sweeny, PAL’s Acting Executive Director.

Bronx youngsters from PAL’s New South Bronx Center and PS 48 in Hunts Point competed in Tug-of-War with members of the NYPD Liaison Unit. In addition, the New York National Guard Counterdrug Task Force provided a portable rock climbing wall, along with drug prevention information. The 2011 World Police & Fire Games also participated in the opening, as the Police Athletic League is an official legacy organization for the games that will take place from August 26th to September 5th in New York City. There was a booth about the upcoming games and free giveaways through Bronx Toys.

“This is my third summer coming to PAL,” said 11-year-old Kay’on McKnight from PS 48 in the Bronx. “I love getting to see my friends from last summer, making new friends and having fun with all the activities we do.”

During the summer, PAL closes off streets and other public areas throughout New York City to give children safe, supervised places to play. PAL Play Streets offer sports, arts, games, crafts, music and dance. PAL is operating throughout the five boroughs this summer, providing Play Streets, sports leagues including Cops & Kids teams and day camps. Approximately 7,500 children will be served on 50 Play Streets in all five boroughs.

Children develop their creativity through arts, and learn from a wide range of educational, recreational and cultural arts specialists. Play Streets, which include organized play areas in playgrounds, schools or on city streets, will operate for a total of seven weeks. Locations are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and are free to all New York City children. This year, MetLife Foundation, the May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, Daniel Rose, the New York City Council and the Mayor’s Office of the Criminal Justice Coordinator are sponsoring the PAL Play Streets Program.

New York City’s Police Athletic League is the first, largest and finest civilian-run PAL in the country. Founded in 1914, PAL has served New York City’s young people for 97 years. PAL provides recreational, educational, cultural and social activities to over 50,000 boys and girls annually. It is also the city’s largest, independent, nonprofit youth organization. For more information, please visit www.palnyc.org.

SIGN UP DURING NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK TO VOLUNTEER

Here is another opportunity to get involved and help youth activities in the Bronx. For those parents out there with kids please do read below.

Gregory
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SIGN UP DURING NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK TO VOLUNTEER
AT POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE CENTERS IN THE BRONX

In celebration of National Volunteer Week, April 10-16, 2011, now is the perfect time to help make a difference in the lives of Bronx youngsters by signing up to volunteer at the Police Athletic League (PAL). PAL is looking for volunteers to support its mission of serving New York City’s young people by donating their time and talents to help serve Bronx youngsters at PAL’s Webster-Giannone Center serving Fordham and Tremont, PS 48 in Hunts Point and PAL’s New South Bronx Center.
PAL Centers in the Bronx offer a wide range of opportunities for volunteers of all talents. Volunteers are needed to tutor and mentor young people during the After School Program’s daily homework help sessions. In addition, individuals can also donate their time assisting the many special events held at PAL’s Centers throughout the year or participate in center clean-up days. PAL is also seeking professionals to give career advice and talk about their own careers to young people, as well as guest speakers who can share information on a specific hobby of interest to the youngsters.
In 1914, Police Commissioner Arthur Woods began a social movement that would eventually be known as the Police Athletic League (PAL). He organized a city-wide search for vacant lots to be converted into safe places for New York City children to play, helping to also reduce tensions between police officers and youth. Today, PAL serves over 47,000 children in full-time and part-time centers, summer day camps, summer Play Streets and community-based sports programs, in addition to Cops & Kids Programs throughout New York City’s five boroughs.
To become a volunteer with the Police Athletic League or to learn more about volunteer opportunities, please visit www.palnyc.org and click on Get Involved under the “About Us” tab for an application. Volunteers will go through an application process that includes an interview, screening and orientation. For more information, please contact PAL’s Volunteer Coordinator, Alexandria Sumpter-Delves, at (212) 477-9450 ext. 390 or volunteer@palnyc.org.
New York City’s Police Athletic League is the first and finest civilian-run PAL in the country. Founded in 1914, PAL has served the city’s young people for 97 years. PAL provides recreational, educational, cultural and social activities to over 47,000 boys and girls annually. It is also the city’s largest, independent, nonprofit youth organization. For more information, please visit www.palnyc.org.
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POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE’S ANNUAL GIRLSPORT DAY

Here is a great fitness event that took place for the young ladies in our community. The event was sponsored by the PAL.

Gregory
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POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE’S ANNUAL GIRLSPORT DAY
ENCOURAGES BRONX GIRLS TO GET IN THE GAME

On March 18, 2011, in Police Athletic League (PAL) Centers throughout the Bronx, young girls, who participate in PAL’s After School Program, came together to celebrate PAL’s Second Annual GirlSport Day. Bronx girls in third through sixth grades, from PAL’s New South Bronx Center, PS 48 in Hunts Point and PAL’s Webster-Giannone Center in Fordham-Tremont, joined over 300 girls from PAL Centers throughout the five boroughs to participate in an afternoon of fun and fitness. The young athletes from across New York City completed 11,348 sit ups, 26,379 jumping jacks, jumped rope over 25,041 times, jumped over 2,012 feet in the long jump, and completed the bean bag drop, obstacle course and hop along stations for combined times of under three hours for all the girls.
“The goal of PAL’s Annual GirlSport Day is to engage girls throughout New York City in physical activity, improve their self-esteem and give them the opportunity to share their fitness accomplishments with their friends,” said PAL’s Executive Director Felix A. Urrutia Jr.
The Second Annual PAL GirlSport Day is part of PAL FIT, the health, fitness and wellness component of PAL’s After School Programs. PAL FIT inspires children in first through eighth grades to focus on active lifestyles and develop positive attitudes toward their health through a variety of fitness and wellness activities.
New York City’s Police Athletic League is the first and finest civilian-run PAL in the country. Founded in 1914, PAL has served the city’s young people for 97 years. PAL provides recreational, educational, cultural and social activities to over 56,000 boys and girls annually. It is also the city’s largest, independent, nonprofit youth organization. For more information, please visit www.palnyc.org.