Parents, it is time to shake off the winter doldrums and get your kids outside in the warm breeze and green grass.
The Police Athletic League’s (PAL) Cops & Kids Program wants to help city kids get some healthy exercise and, at the same time, foster a positive relationship between Queens youngsters and the New York Police Department (NYPD).
Each year, over 280 NYPD officers volunteer their time to coach and play basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball and flag football with young people, ages 14 to 17.
“The goal of the Cops & Kids Program is to keep young people engaged in structured recreational activities as a means of preventing them from becoming victims or perpetrators of crime,” said PAL executive director Felix A. Urrutia Jr. “While playing and socializing with police officers, young people will learn important lessons about teamwork and healthy relationships with peers and adults.”
Founded in 1914, the PAL program gives children the opportunity to participate free of charge in team sports offered in their communities, while also having the chance to play in end-of-season tournaments against teams from other boroughs.
The program also provides kids with a safe place to go and interact with both adults and other children. This is especially important for PAL kids who do not always have positive role models.
In addition to just playing sports, kids get the added benefit of having police officers as mentors and role models. The police officers also benefit, getting the chance to be a part of their community in ways that their job does not usually allow.
“It is a great way for the NYPD to connect to the community,” said Bradley Herrschaft from the NYPD’s Community Affairs Bureau. “Stepping forward as a role model for our youth provides hope and inspiration to our children.”
PAL serves over 56,000 boys and girls annually and is the city’s largest independent, nonprofit youth organization.
To sign up for PAL’s Cops & Kids spring season of volleyball and soccer or the summer season of softball, contact your local police precinct and PAL’s Field Operations Department at 212-477-9450, Ext. 389.
For more information, visit www.palnyc.org.
