he Police Athletic League has and contnues to make a positive impact
on the youth of Philadelphia. The PAL experience transforms children
and prepares them for a productive and fulfilling life. The following
testimonials are just a sampling of those we receive from PAL participants
and alumni.
 Pedro
Garcia
Rivera PAL
Age 15
"Hello. My name is Pedro Garcia and the PAL center I go to
is Rivera PAL on 5th and Allegheny Avenue. The officer is Frank
Rivera. I was with Frank since I was eight years old. If it wasn't
for Frank convincing me to join PAL, I don't know where I would
be. There were some days that I was bored and Frank invited me to
go on trips with him. If it wasn't for Frank, I would've been committing
felonies and been on the street. But Frank changed my life completely.
He taught me how to play sports better and now I play sports with
people older than me. I knew a lot of people that, instead of joining
PAL, started to smoke and mess up their lives. I didn't follow that
road; I followed Frank into PAL. PAL has given me a lot of opportunities
that I probably would never have done in life, such as going to
Phillies, arena football and college football games. Frank also
convinced me to play golf, soccer, flag football, ping-pong, chess
and other PAL activities. These are my reasons Officer Frank Rivera
and PAL changed my life."
Ahmeeya Goldman
Haddington PAL
Grade 5
"The PAL helps me with my homework. The PAL also teaches me how
to play sports for example basketball and flag football. The PAL has
taken me on trips like the haunted house.
PAL also has book challenges. It was fun to read those books. The
PAL helps by keeping me out of trouble. The PAL even helps by keeping
my body in shape. The best thing about the PAL is the help I receive
with my spelling and the good help with my reading. Math is my favorite
subject, but I'm not too good at it, but guess who's there to help.
The PAL."
Sean Kelly
Rizzo PAL
Age 13
"My name is Sean Kelly and I have been a member of Rizzo PAL
in Port Richmond since I was six years old. PAL has been such a big
part of my life; I don't know what it would be like not being involved
at PAL. I have participated in many activities over the years. I have
been in the Homework Club, basketball, soccer, wrestling, Math 24,
Golf, PAL Challenge, Chess and the Paper Airplane Contest. I've also
been to Washington, D.C., the Constitution Center, the Zoo and the
Penn Relays. I went to Sixers, Flyers, Phillies, Phantoms, Temple
and Soul games. I've done so many things and met so many people through
PAL. I don't think that I would have had so many opportunities if
it wasn't for Officer Ernie Rehr and PAL. I've learned a lot from
the PAL Challenge and Math 24 that I could use in school so much that
I have been an honor student for eight years. I've also learned about
sportsmanship from basketball and soccer. But the best thing of all
is the friendships I've developed."
 Dwayne
Benard Sheaff
Haddington PAL
Age 17
My name is Dwayne Benard Sheaff, of West Philadelphia. I am 17-years
old and I am a member of Haddington PAL. I have been attending the
PAL for seven years now. Before I started going to PAL I was the "worst"
kid you would have met; anything to get into trouble for, I would
do. I guess it's because I never really had parents; all I had was
my Pop-Pop, two older sisters, and a little brother. My Pop-Pop did
the best he could do for us and he would always tell me, "Don't
take anything for granted." I never fully understood what that
meant until he passed away. That was the hardest day of my life so
far, but it woke me up. That's when I finally understood what that
meant.
When my little brother and I got separated from my sisters, we
then went to live with our grandmother. That's when my friend Jason
told me about PAL. At first I didn't want to go but he talked me
into it. The first day I went, kept me coming back there because
it was fun. Right then, I was reminded of my grandfather's words
and grateful that I was part of such a wonderful PAL. Over the seven
years I have been going to PAL I have played basketball, flag football,
baseball, and ping pong. I have also coached games, help keep score
during games and snack coordinator. I did PAL Day at City Hall where
I was Fire Commissioner for the day and participated in numerous
trips. Sometimes I sit back and wonder; "What if I didn't go
to the PAL that day? Where would I be today? I am thankful for what
the PAL has done for me. I never have and never will take that for
granted."
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listed here is believed to be current at the time of publication.
However, some of the material presented here may have expired
since it was posted. Persons should contact a PAL representative
whenever relying on dated material or information that is subject
to change. |
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