After-School Program
PAL provides youth in K-8th grade with a high-quality and holistic after-school experience, based on a schedule of different activities and academics including STEAM and literacy learning, visual and performing arts, and physical education. The Police Athletic League programs consider the whole child in planning classes and activities that help participants learn, grow and dream.
After-school participants have shown increased self-esteem, improved engagement in school and increased physical activity. PAL after-school programs feature positive youth development and SEL (social-emotional learning) along with literacy, sports and other activities.
PAL kids receive homework help and targeted support in various academic areas. Considering 80% of future careers will require STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) skills, PAL after-school programs offer an array of engaging STEAM activities, including a chess program, designed to inspire youth and build academic skills; a hydroponic classroom that grows edible vegetables; and a STEM club with various activities.
Participants build their confidence through an introduction to illustration, instrumental music, dance, performance poetry, and theater arts. Students are given opportunities to showcase their talents through special events, craft contests, dance competitions, poetry jams and talent shows. There are dance programs to keep young people active and learn to work as a team.
PAL children engage in physical activity while learning about healthy lifestyles and nutrition. Children stay active through organized tournaments and friendly athletic competitions. PAL has relationships with the following sports organizations who run junior programs for youth:
- New York Knicks (basketball)
- New York Jets (football)
- New York Football Club (soccer)
In 2020, PAL launched Street Games taking place outside near PAL centers. This allows participants including those new to PAL to enjoy some safe, fun outside.
PAL is working with in partnership with Cornell University Cooperative Extension (CUCE) to keep PAL children healthy. PAL works with Cornell graduate students to teach participants about growing plants and vegetables indoors using hydroponic techniques. This hydroponic greenhouse classroom is part of PAL's STEAM program (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) to help young people learn more about sustainability in the environment.
There are also classes about how to sell the produce that they grow, and how to work within their community to find organizations who need fresh vegetables. Participants also take home items like lettuce, basil, cilantro and oregano to use with their families.
In Spring 2020, during times of social distancing, PAL worked with interns from Cornell University Cooperative Extension (CUCE) and CUNY to teach PAL teens about health and wellness. The teens then worked with participants virtually to teach them about healthy eating habits. This activity took place online while centers were closed. CUCE sent meal kits and each week, participants attended a virtual class where they learned more about staying healthy and eating well. What makes this program so important is that teens learned to become advisors to their younger counterparts and both groups learned about healthy eating habits.
PAL After-School offers a variety of programs for participants to take part in including:
Through these events and activities, PAL’s after-school participants have shown increased self-esteem, improved engagement in school and increased physical activity.
If you are a parent or a guardian interested having your child participate in one of our after-school programs, please contact individual centers. You can also download the PAL App for more information.
School Based Centers
BRONX
MS 118 (serving Fordham-Tremont, Bronx) Programming for 6th-8th graders
Contact: Collette Laurent, Center Director, 347-862-6694
PS 47 (serving Soundview, Bronx) Programming for Kindergarten-5th grade
Contact: Aida Velasquez, Center Director, 718-409-4164 x4301
PS 48 (serving Hunts Point, Bronx) Programming for Kindergarten-5th grade
Contact: Rasheda Simmonds, Assistant Director, 718-378-0772
STATEN ISLAND
Petrides Campus (serving all of Staten Island) Programming for Kindergarten-8th grade
Contact: Kevin Edwards, Center Director, 718-390-0876
Port Richmond Center (serving Port Richmond, SI) Programming for 6th-8th graders
Contact: Shennel Akinsanmi, Center Director, 718-720-8718 x.3
PS 13 (serving Clifton and Stapleton, SI) Programming for Kindergarten-5th grade
Phone: 917-484-2081
PS 41 (serving New Dorp, SI) Programming for Kindergarten-5th grade
Contact: Tannea Mangin, Center Director 718-351-6777 (x3571)
PS 78 (serving Clifton and Stapleton, SI) Programming for Kindergarten-5th grade
Contact: Tiara Lynn, Acting Program Director 718-981-3976
QUEENS
Pathways Prep (serving St. Albans, Queens) Programming for 6th-8th graders
Contact: Jermell Pine, Center Director 718-454-4957 x2
Community Based Centers
BRONX
New South Bronx Center (serving South Bronx): Programming for Kindergarten-8th grade
Contact: Marnelcy Rosario, Center Director 718-991-2589
Webster-Giannone Center (serving Fordham and Tremont): Programming for Kindergarten-8th grade
Contact: Jaleel Anthony 718-733-6748 x4402
BROOKLYN
Breukelen Cornerstone (serving Canarsie): Programming for Kindergarten-8th grade, Teens and Adults.
Contact: Karon Forde, Center Director 718-257-0152
Click here to view Breukelen’s Fall 2021 Brochure!
Wynn Center (serving Bed-Stay, Ft Greene and Crown Heights): Programming for Kindergarten-8th grade.
Contact: Donnaree Wynter, Center Director 718-230-8477 x102
MANHATTAN
Armory Center (serving Washington Heights) Programming for 6th-8th graders
Contact: Ramon Spence 212-927-0306
Harlem Center (serving Harlem) Programming for Kindergarten-8th grade.
Contact: Jennie Bonilla, Center Director 212-665-8699 x201
Polo Grounds Cornerstone (serving North Harlem) Programming for Kindergarten-8th grade, Teens and Adults.
Contact: Maria Rosa or A.M. Rashid Najeeullah, Co-Center Directors 646-707-0145
William J. Duncan Center (serving Hell’s Kitchen and Midtown West) Programming for Kindergarten-5th grade.
Contact: Griseliris Concepcion, Center Director 212-265-7933
QUEENS
Edward Bryne Center (serving South Jamaica) Programming for Kindergarten-8th grade.
Contact: 718-978-4655
Goldie Maple Academy Beacon (serving Rockaway Peninsula) Programming for Kindergarten-8th grade, Teens and Adults.
Contact: Patricia Desriviere, Center Director 718-634-4306 x1433
Click here for a list of an updated list of centers and contact information.
PARENTS: In case of emergency, contact 800-PAL-4KIDS (800-725-4543).