The City of Auburn and Barrow County is pleased to announce a development that is on its way. . . Auburn-Barrow County Police Athletic League (PAL).  The PAL program is based on the conviction that today’s youth - if they are reached early enough – can develop strong positive attitudes towards authority. PAL strives to empower and develop youth through educational, employment, and recreational programming efforts.  PAL also provides boys and girls with the hope and direction they need to lead meaningful and productive lives. Deedra Wagner, PAL Director & Founder, and the PAL Board of Directors have been working diligently to get this organization off the ground and running.

The PAL organization has been around since 1914.  It was started by Captain John Sweeney, commanding officer of a Lower East Side precinct in New York City. Captain Sweeney felt he could prevent crime in the city by taking young children off of the streets. He thought that giving them a purpose and direction would help them stay out of trouble and keep his jail cells empty. To this day his dream lives on and continues to prove it is very successful.

Similarly, the PAL facilities are safe and positive environments where youth can come together to increase their study habits, develop teamwork, as well as gain the opportunity to interact with mentors from the local area. Parents find comfort in knowing their children are surrounded by individuals who care for them and want to see them reach their full potential.  PAL resources include funding through numerous federal grants, goods and services (provided by corporate sponsors and local organizations), general liability programs, and programming opportunities through affiliate organizations.

Currently, there are over four hundred PAL Member Chapters in law enforcement agencies servicing more than seven hundred facilities throughout the United States.  Additionally, PAL serves more than 2 million youth ranging in from the ages 8 - 19.  For more information on the National PAL initiative visit www.nationalpal.org

The Auburn-Barrow County PAL Program is currently focusing its efforts on Barrow County high school students.  However, its future initiatives will include youth between the ages of 11 - 19.  The Auburn-Barrow PAL facility will be opening in Spring 2009. Stay tuned for further updates on the grand opening, scheduled events, and upcoming Auburn-Barrow County PAL Chapter website.  For further information on the Auburn-Barrow County PAL Chapter, please contact Deedra Wagner at . 

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