Albany Police Athletic League Inc Public Safety Bldg

TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL YOUTH TO PARTICIPATE IN ORGANIZED AND SUPERVISED EDUCATIONAL, ATHLETIC, CIVIC, AND RECREATIONAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. WE STRIVE TO FOSTER AND DEVELOP POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE YOUTH WE SERVE AND MEMBERS OF THE ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT AND COMMUNITY LEADERS IN A SAFE, STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT TO HELP KIDS GROW, MAKE INFORMED AND CORRECT CHOICES, AND BECOME PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

YOUTH PROGRAM SERVICES ARE DESIGNED TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH, DEVELOPMENT AND WELL-BEING OF THE YOUTH WE SERVE. THE QUALITY OF OUR AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS WERE GREATLY EXPANDED AS A WIDE ASSORTMENT OF EDUCATIONAL, ATHLETIC, CIVIC AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES WERE OFFERED. THESE OFFERINGS INCLUDED YOUTH MENTORING, EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIPS, SUMMER CAMPS, DANCE, FOOD AND NUTRITION CLASSES; AS WELL AS ATHLETIC PROGRAMS THAT INCLUDED BASKETBALL, BASEBALL, LACROSSE, TRACK AND FIELD, SOCCER, ETC.

CAPITAL HOLIDAY LIGHTS IN THE PARK IS A DRIVE-THROUGH ANNUAL FAMILY EVENT IN ALBANY'S WASHINGTON PARK. VISITORS ENJOY OVER 125 HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPLAYS DURING THEIR 1.5 MILE DRIVE WHICH ENDS WITH A STOP AT THE LAKE HOUSE WHERE THE LAKE HOUSE IS DECORATED AND FILLED WITH HOLIDAY MUSIC, ARTS & CRAFTS VENDOR TABLES, REFRESHMENTS AND A VISIT WITH SANTA. ALL PROCEEDS FROM THIS ANNUAL HOLIDAY EVENT ARE USED TO SUPPORT YOUTH PROGRAM SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS DURING THE YEAR INCLUDED MANY INITIATIVES LED BY OUR YOUTH LEADERSHIP COUNCIL, POLICE EXPLORERS, MENTORING PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS, STAFF AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS. THESE PROJECTS INCLUDED PARK CLEAN-UPS AND BEAUTIFICATION, PAL-SPONSORED BUS TRIPS THROUGH THE HOLIDAY LIGHTS SHOW (WITH REFRESHMENTS) FOR SENIOR CITIZENS, AND DISTRIBUTION OF SENIOR COMFORT BAGS CONTAINING NEEDED FOOD AND PERSONAL HYGIENE SUPPLIES TO PERSONS IN SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES WHO ARE AT INCREASED RISK OF SEVERE ILLNESS FROM COVID-19 AND COULD NOT OBTAIN THESE ITEMS INDEPENDENTLY.

ART MITCHELL SCHOLARSHIPS ARE COMPETITIVELY AWARDED ANNUALLY TO DESERVING 8TH GRADE STUDENTS WHO APPLY FOR AND ARE APPROVED TO RECEIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO PURSUE HIS OR HER EDUCATION AFTER HIGH SCHOOL. SCHOLARSHIPS MAY BE USED TO PAY FOR TUITION, FEES, BOOKS, SUPPLIES, AND EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR COURSES OF INSTRUCTION AT AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION (E.G. UNIVERSITIES, ACADEMIES, COLLEGES, SEMINARIES, INSTITUTES OF TECHNOLOGY, VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS, TRADE SCHOOLS, AND OTHER CAREER SERVICE SCHOOLS). IN ADDITION, THE DR. PATRICIA PETERSON COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD RECOGNIZES AND ACKNOWLEDGES EXTRAORDINARY STUDENTS WHO HAVE INSPIRED OTHERS TO VOLUNTEER AND HAVE MADE A SIGNIFICANT, POSITIVE IMPACT AT ALBANY PAL THROUGH VOLUNTEERING, LEADERSHIP, INTERACTIONS AND IMPACT TO THE CONSTITUENCY AND COMMUNITY THAT ALBANY PAL SERVES. AWARDS ARE GIVEN TO DESERVING 10TH-12TH GRADE STUDENTS WHO APPLY FOR AND ARE APPROVED TO RECEIVE A SERVICE AWARD PAYABLE UPON GRADUATION FROM HIGH SCHOOL OR RECEIPT OF A GED CERTIFICATE.