Organization Description The Oxnard Police Activities League (PAL) is a city-wide, after-school crime prevention program designed to build positive relationships between youth, police officers and the community. Recreational, educational, enrichment and mentoring programs are offered to youth ages 7 to 18, at no cost to participants. The objectives of Oxnard PAL are: To provide youth a opportunity to grow under the sustained guidance of dedicated adults To instill in youth a respect and understanding for law enforcement and for the laws they uphold To assist youth in developing self-esteem and provide them with skills to help them stay in school To involve police, parents and community volunteers in a personal commitment of time and energy to the youth of the community
Program Information The Oxnard PAL Youth Leadership & Mentoring Program is available to all youth ages 12 to 18. A maximum of 10 youth to 1 mentor ratio will be maintained for all mentoring and leadership activities. 1:1 mentoring may be added upon request and is limited to availability. Youth are matched with mentors according to their interests, hobbies and other personal descriptors. A commitment of 12 months is required by all program participants. Program Components Community Service / Civic Awareness Mentees and Mentors will participate in monthly community service projects. Community service projects can range from serving food in a soup kitchen, to cleaning up trash in a local parks, to starting a bully prevention group. Whatever the mission, community service creates stronger communities by engaging our young citizens in their civic responsibility. In addition to serving the community, as volunteers, youth will gain insight into the challenges facing their community, have the opportunity to learn new skills and develop their leadership skills. Leadership Training Mentees will participate in monthly leadership and/or educational training sessions. Through these sessions, youth will learn important life skills, how to take action, lead by example and develop a purpose that benefits the community and motivates others to join in. Monthly Group Meetings Youth will participate in monthly meetings where they will discuss future community service projects, leadership trainings, etc. Formal Mentoring: Formal mentoring programs are long-term and deliberate, normally led by a third party; in this case, Oxnard PAL. Minimum time requirements are established; 1 hour, once a week, for a minimum of 1 year. Mentors are taken through a screening process including a background check. Mentors and mentees are strategically matched. The overseeing agency will supervise the match and provide support for the both the mentors and mentees.