NEWS PRESS RELEASE
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Contact:          Shirley Crawford, MyPAL Coordinator
                        804-646-1832                                                 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Richmond Police Atlhetic League ANNOUNCES MENTORING PROGRAM

National PAL Mentoring Program

            Richmond, VA August 23, 2010 The Richmond Police Athletic League is pleased to announce it has received funding to establish a mentoring program. With funding from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention, the National Association of Police Athletic/Activities Leagues, Inc. is providing program awards to 135 PAL Chapters. The Richmond Police Athletic League is pleased to have been selected as one of the 135 grant recipients for this exciting program.

The Mentoring Program involves recruiting volunteer Mentors who will be matched with a youth Mentee. Volunteer Mentors agree to meet with their Mentee at the Chapter for at least one hour per week for one year. Besides offering friendship and a listening ear, Mentors and Mentees will engage in a variety of fun and meaningful activities individually and in groups. With the support of the award funds, the Chapter has hired a Mentor Program Coordinator who will oversee the initiative.

It has been demonstrated that a trusting relationship with a caring adult can have a life-changing effect on a young person. Research data indicates that mentoring programs have reduced first-time drug use by almost 50% and first-time alcohol use by 33%. In addition, mentored youth displayed greater confidence in their schoolwork and improved their academic performance.

If you are interested in sharing your time and your knowledge and making a difference in the life of a child, please contact Shirley Crawford, MyPAL Mentor Program Coordinator at 804-646-1832 or attend the next orientation session scheduled for September 16th, 2010 at either 3:30 or 6:00pm or September 30th at 6:00 pm at the PAL office.

            Contact Shirley Crawford at 804-646-1832 or e-mail  palrichmond@gmail.com for additional information.
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