The Police Activities League of Greater Portland (PAL) is a nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation which builds partnerships between youth, police and the community through recreational, athletic and educational programs designed to encourage and develop good citizenship and improve the quality of life in the Portland Metropolitan area.  Portland PAL, originally founded in the 1940s, was re-started in 1990 as a non-profit when a group of concerned civic leaders, local citizens and chief law enforcement officers joined together to create solutions to the growing problem of gang involvement, and violence among youth. PAL’s goal is for youth to grow up safe and healthy, and have access to jobs, college, a trade, or national program such as the military or AmeriCorps.

       Today, the year-round Greater Portland PAL program is directed by a committed volunteer Board of Directors, and staffed by civilians and law enforcement officers providing programs in area parks, schools, and the PAL Bud Monnes Youth Center.  PAL is committed to creating support networks, providing access to services for youth and families, crossing geographic and school district boundaries to serve all youth, and adopting Oregon benchmarks as achievable goals.  PAL achieves its goals through a budget that is 40% cash and 60% in-kind services including labor, space, phones, equipment, and materials.

       Key programs for PAL include on-site programming at the year-round youth center, PAL/Portland Youth Football, the National Youth Sports Program, PAL Summer Sports Camp, and Winter & Spring Break camps.  Center programs include tutoring, homework assistance, computer lab, art & crafts, teen programs, sports clinics & intramural leagues, games room, and field trips.  PAL serves supper/dinner daily at the youth center (at no additional cost to youth), breakfast & lunch at the National Youth Sports Program, and lunches at all other summer programs.

Name and Description of Primary Project or Initiative:

The National Youth Sports Program (NYSP) is an instructional program for boys and girls from low-income households.  The program uses sports instruction and competition as a vehicle to enhance self-esteem, to promote respect for oneself and also reinforce the importance of education to one’s future, and to promote active, healthy lifestyles.  NYSP provides participants with instruction in career and educational opportunities and exposure to the college campus environment.  Greater Portland PAL has run NYSP in partnership with Portland State University, and the Oregon Department of Education – Nutrition Department since 1993.  The program lost its federal funding in 2005, however, there were carry-over funds that allowed some NYSP programs in operate in 2006 and 2007.  PAL’s program received $4,500 in federal funds in 2007, down from a high of $66,000 in 2005.  PAL was able to offer NYSP in 2007 by cutting the camp from five weeks to four weeks and thanks to one-time-only grants from EBay Foundation, Albina Weed & Seed, and designated funds from the PAL Auction, Safeway Foundation, Metro Community Enhancement grant, and small program fees.  In 2006, funds from the POPS Strategy Fund from the City of Portland helped support NYSP in addition to several local grants and federal funds.  In 2008, a grant through the City of Portland’s Office of Violence Prevention became the primary support for the summer program.

Program Objectives

1.    Serve underserved youth between the ages of 10-16.

2.    Provide a healthy start through good nutrition and physical fitness.

3.    Teach youth-centered activities in a safe, positive and enjoyable college/university environment.

4.    Provide youth-centered activities that nurture the dreams and aspirations of youth.

5.    Promote respect, citizenship and sportsmanship in a diverse society.

6.    Provide quality service and reward excellent performance.

The camp is provided for 20 days, and youth are transported to and from central areas in North, Northeast, Southeast, Mid-County and East County.   PAL is willing to transport youth from other areas if the target area finds funding to support the bus. Dates of operation during 2008 were July 7-August 1^st, and the anticipated schedule for 2009 is July 6-31^st.  Additional programs are provided for youth following camp during the school year.

Desired outcomes that are expected upon completion of this project or initiative:

PAL’s goal is to accomplish the program objectives listed above.  PAL will serve 250 youth each day for 20 days for total contact hours of 140 per child or 35,000 total contact hours during the summer.  Kids will be kept safe and out of harm’s way, while keeping their minds and bodies active which will improve their ability to be ready for school again in the Fall.  Youth will gain numerous skills including sport specific skills (we pre and post test for basic sports skills like dribbling, soccer knowledge, bowling, swimming ability), nutrition (why water is important, how to keep food safe, how to cook basic meals), math/science (it varies each year but has included rocket building, math skills, SAT prep), positive conflict resolution, gang resistance skills, and personal safety such as internet safety, creating clear personal boundaries, and more.

Major Partners

·         Police Activities League (coordinates, direct and manages the camp, recruit youth)

·         Portland State University (facilities, Aramark, fields, Admissions, Research Accounting)

·         Portland Police Bureau (officers to staff the camp as coaches, counselors and lunch monitors)

·         Jesuit High School (#1 choice for high school students to complete their community service)

·         OSU Extension Services (faculty & nutrition/dietician interns teach nutrition & cooking)

·         Department of Education/Nutrition (USDA Summer Feeding Program funds)

·         Aramark (makes breakfast and lunch, NYSP staff & volunteers serve it)

PAL has submitted grants to United Way, the Autzen Foundation, Campbell Foundation, and several others.  The only confirmed funding so far is $5,000 from Autzen, and the USDA has indicated that NYSP will qualify again for breakfast and lunch for all participating youth.