The Police Athletic League (PAL) is New York City's largest independent youth development not-for-profit. Founded in 1914, it has served the city's young people for more than 110 years through safe, structured activities supporting learning, personal growth, and community connection. PAL works across all five boroughs and provides more than 30,000 young people, from age two through young adults, with access to its programmes.
PAL's work spans education, childcare, sports and youth services. Programmes include Head Start, Day Care and Universal Pre-K; structured after-school programming for elementary and middle school students; Summer Camps and Summer Playstreets; Evening Teen Centers; College Readiness and Youth Employment initiatives; and work supporting youth involved in the juvenile justice system. Competitive and recreational sports sit at the centre of the organisation's approach.
The organisation maintains partnerships with the NYPD and the broader law-enforcement community, and describes its mission as providing safe places for children to play, learn and grow across academics, sports, arts and jobs. It is self-described as "The Best Friend a Kid Can Have". Further information is available at https://palnyc.org/.
