Newsroom

15 September 2009, San Francisco, CA: What a difference a half-century makes – a positive difference in the lives of generations of San Francisco’s young people.  On Tuesday, October 20, from 6pm ‘til 8pm, San Francisco’s Police Activities League (www.sfpal.org) will celebrate their first 50 years of serving San Francisco’s youth and prepare for the next in a Gala benefit evening at the City’s United Irish Cultural Center (2700 45th Avenue Street). Tickets are $75 per person, with table sponsorships available for $1000. The San Francisco Police Activities League (SFPAL) is a nonprofit and does not receive City funding. The mission of SFPAL is building community by organizing youth sports and healthy activities that develop personal character and foster a positive relationship among police officers, youth and dedicated volunteers.  

 

“Four generations of San Francisco youth have found a ‘pal’ in the Police Activities League,” said PAL Executive Director Lorraine Woodruff-Long.  “As a result, throughout the City, there is a ‘PAL’ youth on every block: a young person whose present has been made richer and whose future has been made brighter by our efforts.” 

 

In 1959 the San Francisco Police Department was confronted with the growing problem of juvenile delinquency.  To address this problem, the San Francisco Police Activities League was established.  For the last 50 years, thousands of San Francisco youth have participated in PAL and have grown into leaders within the San Francisco Police Department, the City of San Francisco and the business and nonprofit community.

 

“While we serve all San Francisco children, we especially focus on recruiting low-income youth who would otherwise not have access to extra-curricular activities,” explains Woodruff-Long.  “In an effort to provide access to our services for as many kids as possible, we try to keep our program fees low for participants.  We charge approximately one third of the overall cost of our programs and we fundraise for the rest through such events as our upcoming 50th Anniversary Gala.  We provide programs to all youth regardless of their ability to pay, and have a fee waiver program in place for those in need. Just last year, we provided scholarships to 75% of football participants.”

As part of its 50th Anniversary Gala, SFPAL will inaugurate the “SFPAL Hall of Fame” and induct its first 19 members: individuals who have contributed to the life of the City during the last 50 years. The first 19 inductees are: Gus Bruneman; Ed Chow; Gary Delagnes; Heather Fong; Pete Franceschi, Sr.*; Pete Gardner*; Rotea Gilford*; Earl Gonsolin*; Dan Hance; Sophia Isom; Jim Meyer; Joe Mollo; Ray Musante; Kevin Restani; Vera Rogulsky; Donald Strickland; Kelly Waterfield; Ray White; Thelma Williams*.

(* posthumous award)

 

Major donors / funders to SFPAL included: The U.S. Office of Emergency Services, SF Police Officers Association, The Gap Foundation, Doris and Don Fisher, George F.Jewett Foundation, Northern California Carpenters Regional Council, ING Financial Advisors, Bode Gravel Company and the 49ers Foundation.

 

SFPAL partners with numerous organizations to ensure best practices for youth development including the California Youth Soccer Association, SF Viking Soccer, San Francisco Youth Baseball League, US Amateur Boxing Association, United States Judo Association, the Bayview YMCA and Pop Warner Football. We also work closely with City agencies such as the Recreation and Parks Department, the Fire Department’s FLAME youth program, and the Beacon Centers to serve San Francisco youth.

 

More than 5000 kids participate in SFPAL’s baseball, basketball, boxing, cheerleading, football, judo, law enforcement cadet and soccer programs annually.  Additionally, over 800 civilians and police officers volunteer as coaches, instructors and mentors to SFPAL teams and kids supporting them both on and off the field.

 “From a meager beginning and a handful of kids, SFPAL has served thousands of kids for a half-century,” says SFPAL Board President, Rick Bruce.  “Today, SFPAL is working to engage even more underserved youth in communities throughout the city to provide access to healthy activities and responsible adult mentors.”

For more information, or to purchase tickets for the SFPAL 50th Anniversary Gala, please go to www.sfpal.org