Jacksonville PAL Update

Highlights and Milestones
Mallison Park Success: In January of 2006, we celebrated our first year anniversary of the new expansion site at Mallison Park. Since our “Fresh Start in the Park” initiative, there has been a significant reduction in violent incidents by 35%; property incidents by 18% and calls for police service have been reduced by 12%. We have increased our athletic registration base and after-school education which contributes to economic growth and enhancements to the community.

Jacksonville PAL introduces new Soccer Program
The PAL Soccer Academy provides a service to the community that is non existent or limited in Duval County. The program is designed to enhance and develop the fundamentals for youth to play soccer. Currently we have 46 players ranging from ages 4 to 14 registered in the academy. We will offer a U13 Elite team that will travel out of town and play at our home field at 3540 Monument Rd. We also have a U10 team that will play on Sept. 9, Sept 30, and Oct 21 in a festival format and also play in 2 tournaments. In conjunction with the AYSO VIP Program, PAL will offer a quality experience for youth ages 5 years up to adults or under the age of 21 whose physical or mental disabilities make it difficult to successfully participate on mainstream teams. The VIP program targets players, who are visually impaired, have mobility, autistic, CP or Down syndrome

Camp XRAYD
As of June 2006, we have processed and served 30 youth through our intervention camp program as part of our anti-gang initiative. The program emphasizes gang resistance education and training to impact the lives of teenagers who may be going down the wrong path. Parents of these youth participated in our required Parent Project program to help them address the most destructive, strong-willed or out-of-control adolescent children behaviors.

PAL Dyslexia Reading Program Update provides research-based remedial reading instruction using the Barton Reading and Spelling System to PAL participants who demonstrate underachievement in reading and features of dyslexia. Of the original 36 students assessed, 20 showed reading difficulty and likely features of dyslexia. Seventeen were assigned to PAL tutors. There were three children identified with a disability too severe to benefit from the Barton program. One of which moved out of state and the other two are being treated by a physician at Hope Haven Children’s Clinic and Family Center sponsored by PAL...

Our after-school program ended the year with 350 students in which 95% of all youth participants were promoted to the next grade level exceeding the FCAT requirements.

Mallison Park is most proud of the two youth who received a certificate their accomplishments with the 25 book reading club.

Jax PAL education program was nominated to participate in the Honor Rows Program through the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation. This program gives youth an incentive to earn a first-time opportunity to attend a Jaguar game if they achieve their set goals. We were awarded 30 seats at a December game.
 
The Jacksonville Youth Directors Council was represented by seven youth whom participating in both required training sessions that public speaking on peer pressure issues, and role idols. Youth also participated in the election process.
 
Girl’s Inc. organization provided an Economic Literary Program, Management Skills and Safety Action programs at all education after – school education sites.
 
Palatka PAL Update

Palatka Pal has just completed its forth-annual Panther Summer Youth Camp, which ran from June 5th through July 28th. The Camp was made up of over 110 children from the ages of 8 to 16. During the camp the children were given opportunities to participate in educational and organized/athletic activities. Some of the educational activities consisted of guest speakers such as Mark Spain from channel 12 News and Willie Offord of the Minnesota Vikings, Classes put on by the Health Department, Tutoring, Community Service (local park clean up), and field trips to local colleges (University of Florida and St. Johns River Community College) as well as museums (Florida Arts Museum and the Butterfly Rain Forrest). The educational portion of the camp was capped off with a trip to Epcot at Walt Disney World. The children were also taken to Wet-n-Wild, Island of Adventures @ Universal Studios, Ally Kats Bowling Alley, and Family Fun Factory. PANTHER, which stands for;
Pride
Athletics
Net Working
Team Work
Health
Education
Recreation
Is becoming one of our PAL’s biggest programs and constantly providing a safe and educational environment for the youth within our community. We are currently accepting applications for our after school program.