Welcome to The Jersey City PAL

"Training champions for LIFE"

About us

Our Mission

JCPAL is an independent non-profit youth crime prevention program that utilizes educational, athletic and recreational activities to create trust and understanding between police officers and youth. The vision of the Jersey City Police Athletic League is one of success and empowerment. Our goal is to foster a winning spirit through unity, cooperation and hard work. Through athletics we will build trust, help students improve focus and develop life skills, reinforce high standards and values, and establish a path toward excellence. We not only seek to expand our own horizons as adults, parents, and public servants, but those of every child involved in PAL activities. In our pursuit of a complete program of growth and motivation, we will continue to establish academic and self-enrichment projects to help build character and strength. We will build relationships with community organizations and leaders and establish the PAL as a non profit organization at the forefront in the effort to provide a positive outlet for Jersey City’s youth. We envision an organization encompassing many activities, operating year-round, and working hand-in-hand with the community and the city to prepare our children for the biggest game of all… LIFE. Jersey City PAL.

Programs

JCPAL Explorers

JCPAL Football

JCPAL Summer Youth Camp

JCPAL Mentorship

JCPAL Afterschool Program

JCPAL Safe Haven

JCPAL Youth Leadership Council

JCPAL ART

JCPAL Tutoring

JCPAL Book Club

JCPAL Chess Club

JCPAL Home Economics

Our history

One of the hardest parts of the Sgt. career as a Jersey City Police Officer was seeing Jersey City kids with no place to go and running into trouble with the law. So, in 1976 he started an athletic program that encouraged local kids to come together in organized sports and events and away from the street corners. After an incredibly time consuming but wildly successful two years, Sgt. officially founded the Police Activity League of Jersey City Inc. Since 1978, Jersey City youths from 5-19 years of age have found a home away from home and a safe haven to come together to play hard and meet new friends. With only modest financial support from donations from people and businesses that shared Sgt. vision, and countless hours of volunteers, the PAL struggled to keep the lights on and offer kids a safe place to play and grow. In 1989, the PAL became a NJ 501(c)3 and has since remained a nonprofit in good standing. As a charity organization, the PAL is 100% funded by supporters like you who have generously contributed to the PAL’s success. In 2012, the PAL adopted the alternate name “Jersey City Police Athletic League” which more closely represents the evolution of the PAL’s mission and focus, but it maintains the same fundamental values. JCPAL remains an organization dedicated to helping kids improve focus and develop life skills, reinforce high standard values and establish a path toward excellence. We envision an organization that encompasses many activities, operates year-round, and works hand-in-hand with the community and the city to prepare our children for the biggest game of all… LIFE