Syracuse Police Athletic/Activities League Celebrates Two Years of Connecting Kids, Cops, Communities
Syracuse, NY – The Syracuse Police Athletic/Activities League is celebrating two years of programming partnerships at its inaugural Awards Ceremony this Saturday, June 1, 2024, beginning at 12:30 p.m. The Syracuse PAL Awards will celebrate the core values encapsulated in Syracuse PAL’s motto: “kids, cops, communities.” The award ceremony consists of a luncheon, a keynote address, and celebratory activities for youth and families. “Syracuse PAL has been a pillar of support for the youth of our community, providing a safe and nurturing environment where they can learn essential life skills while creating positive relationships between law enforcement and our children,” said Mayor Ben Walsh. “The PAL program is a win-win for our department and our community, fostering relationships that are the cornerstone of safer, stronger neighborhoods.” Syracuse PAL has been a staple of youth community engagement for the Syracuse Police Department. Syracuse PAL programs have focused on empowering youth through at least 200 events and programs since 2021. From empowering young girls through interactive workshops and mentorship in the Girls’ Empowerment program to teaching valuable life and career skills through the Skills Win! program, Syracuse PAL has brought community partners into the village of activities with kids and cops. “Through our Police Athletic/Activities League, we’re not just building stronger bodies and minds, we’re forging stronger bonds between law enforcement and our youth. This program is about more than just building life or classroom skills and having fun on the courts or the field, it’s also about community partnership and trust. I thank our officers who dedicate their time to the children of our city,” aid Syracuse Police Chief Joseph Cecile. The Syracuse PAL awards was postponed amidst the deaths of Onondaga County Sherrif’s Lt. Michael Hoosock and Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen, who were killed in the line of duty days before the scheduled awards. “Queen Elizabeth II said, ‘Grief is the price we pay for love.’ As our community comes to grips with the loss of these two heroes, we want to celebrate the devotion and commitment of our law enforcement partners. Without them, we couldn’t have established the Syracuse Police Athletic/Activities League,” said Jimmy Oliver, Director of Community Engagement for the Syracuse Police. Syracuse PAL has gone out of its way to be more than the traditional athletics league. The program has made intentional investments in partnerships in the arts and programming for girls. The Syracuse PAL Girls’ Empowerment Program has played a pivotal role in instilling confidence and self-assurance in the young girls of our community. Through mentorship and activities like teaching them about hygiene, how to navigate conflict and how to care for diverse hair textures, Syracuse PAL helps young girls in the city embrace their uniqueness, be confident in who they are, and combat the challenges that life throws them such as hygienic gaps, poor self-esteem, peer pressure, sexist discrimination in various fields, and stereotyping. Syracuse PAL’s sports leagues and camps, including swim camp, baseball, soccer, tennis, football, and basketball, have not only taught important life skills also but have emphasized the importance of teamwork and camaraderie which teaches youth how to be a part of something beyond themselves. These programs have provided youth with the opportunity to interact with law enforcement in a positive and supportive environment while making lasting friendships. One of Syracuse PAL’s goals was to have programs that go beyond sports, and it has done that by highlighting the positive contributions of youth in the community through events such as the Veterans Day Drawing Contest and the Black History Month Drawing Contest. These initiatives not only celebrate the talent and creativity of our youth but also serve as a reminder of the importance of honoring and commemorating significant moments in history. The Syracuse PAL Inaugural Awards Ceremony will serve as a platform to honor the achievements and contributions of Syracuse PAL participants, volunteers, law enforcement and community partners who have embodied the true meaning of “kids, cops, communities.” It will be a celebration of resilience, perseverance, and the power of acclimatizing the youth to the badge. “We have had the help and wisdom of many in law enforcement, government and the community to lay the foundation of Syracuse PAL and this is an opportunity to say thank you to many,” said Oliver. The award celebration will be hosted at the Burnet Park Indoor Turf at 522 Burnet Park Drive Syracuse, NY 13204.June 1 at 12:30 p.m. as kids, cops, and community partners come together to celebrate the success of Syracuse PAL and the impact it has had on the lives of youth across our city. The Syracuse Police Athletic/Activities League (PAL) is a youth development program of the Syracuse Police Department. It brings youth and police together in a non-law enforcement setting. Syracuse PAL offers mentoring and understanding through the help of Syracuse Police Officers and other law enforcement agencies in the Central New York region in addition to local community volunteers and interns.
