Santa Claus give a new bicycle to Nadia Cyprian during Police Activities League's (PAL) annual Winterlit Holiday Workshop on Saturday, December  18, 2010.

Daniel Selacruz, 15, hula hoops while standing on a ball at the Police Activity League during Cirque Du Monde on Tuesday, November 23, 2010 Cirque du Monde (the world-famous Cirque du Soleil's outreach program) uses circus as an alternative education tool to engage at-risk youth in communities around the world. The i...mpact of Cirque du Monde goes beyond individual benefits. Working as a group the participants learn about cohesion, teamwork and respect for peers. Its effects are also visible at the community level through reconciliation between opposing groups of young people, change in the perception of the community toward youth at risk and the implementation of a dialogue between the community and its young people.

PALloween 2010 - Images by Fabian Lewkowicz

Participants compete in the 19th annual PALloween Costume Contest at Barker Hangar on Sunday, October 31, 2010.PALloween is the Westside's premiere Halloween event for families on Halloween night which features, costume contests, trick-or-treat lane, haunted house, tot area, and game booths.
 
All proceeds from the event will benefit PAL for their development and maintenance of cultural, educational and recreational programs. PAL provides free programs to more that 1,600 youths in the Santa Monica area. PAL is a unique community organization that fosters trust between youth and the men and women of the Santa Monica Police Department in a safe and nurturing environment. Through outstanding educational, cultural, recreational, and outreach programs, PAL helps develop skills and self-esteem, encouraging youth to reach their full potential. PAL provides free educational, cultural, and recreational programs for youth ages 6 - 17 years. Activities offered include homework assistance, computer classes, cooking, creative dramatics, arts & crafts, dance, karate, basketball, excursions, and special events. A slate of activities, including trips, sports leagues, specialized classes, and computer instruction is available to teens ages 14 - 17 years. Coaches and instructors for the PAL program come from the Santa Monica Police and Community and Cultural Services Departments and from community members who volunteer their time. The PAL Youth Center is open Monday through Saturday.

Santa Monica Police Activity League Board Members pose for a portrait under their new sign on Thursday, October 7, 2010.



(left to right) Cesar Rodriguez, 11, Nayla Torres, 14, Yoly Islas, 15, and Chloe Hassenfratz, 12, take photos of fruit at Farmers Choice during Santa Monica Bay Human Relations Council's Kids With Cameras Summer Photo Workshop on Wednesday, August 11, 2010. The class is being taught by photojournalist Fabian Lewkowicz.

UCLA Horticulture student Clara Yoshimare gives a tour of the The Learning Garden to students from Santa Monica Bay Human Relations Council's Kids With Cameras Summer Photo Workshop at Venice High School's on Wednesday, August 4, 2010.

Santa Monica Police Activity Members Jasmine Cortez, 11, and Lilly Reynaldo, 10, take photographs of the public art sculpture entitled 'Chain Reaction' (1991 by Paul Conrad) during Santa Monica Bay Human Relations Council's Kids With Cameras Summer Photo Workshop on Wednesday, June 23, 2010.