The Hartford Police Athletic League (PAL) empowers the youth of Hartford to realize their greatest potential through mentoring, sports, education, and a positive relationship with police officers. We provide youth, between the ages of 6 to 18, with alternatives to violence, gang membership, truancy, and substance abuse. Our programs instill the importance of integrity, respect, discipline, self-esteem, leadership, teamwork, and other valuable life skills that increase individual self-worth and breed success.
In 2022, the overall PAL program offered a variety of programs which served 60-90 kids per weeknight as well as weekends when field trips, competitive athletics, and other programs are conducted. We currently have over 1,500 youth in our newly formed database. The youth attending the programs report increased awareness of future goals and a more positive attitude toward themselves, their community, and police officers. Many report that their motivation has increased and that the PAL has given them hope for the future.
PAL also builds relationships with the families of its youth and promotes parental involvement as much as possible. Any child who applies to be a member of the Hartford PAL is initially accepted unless they are engaged in criminal activity or require care we cannot provide. Our goal is to build positive relationships between Cops, Kids, and The Community.