(top) Santa Monica Human Service Administrator and former Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL) director, Patty Loggins  blows out the candle in celebration of  PAL's 20th year anniversary at Back on Broadway  during the 7th Annual 'Chez PAL' on Thursday, September 24, 2009. (above) Teenage PAL members dance to  'Footloose' during the '80's theme party at Back on Broadway.

(TOP) Police Activities League (PAL) officer Jennifer Sekera helps PAL members Yaser Garmakani, 14, (center) and Marvin Rodriguez, 17, write photo captions during Santa Monica Human Relations Council's 'Kids with Cameras' writing workshop on Tuesday, August 15, 2009, at PAL. (CENTER)  PAL members Gaby Martinez, 13, (left) Rachel Tello, 13, (center) and Brianda Maldonado, 16, (right)  write photo captions during the writing workshop on Tuesday. The students photos will be featured at Kids With Cameras' Community Art Show at McKinley Elementary School on Saturday, October 3.

KIDS WITH CAMERAS – An Exhibition of Photos and Community Dialogue

’Kids with cameras’, a program launched by the Santa Monica Bay Human Relations Council in May 2009 involving mid-city youth, will culminate in a photo exhibition and community conversation at McKinley School on Saturday, October 3 2009.

With the goal of reviving the Mid-City Neighborhood group, the only one of six original neighborhood groups in Santa Monica that has been dormant since 2004, the project was designed to create an awareness of civic responsibility among mid-city youth by encouraging them to explore their community and document their views through the lens of a camera.

The participating youth recruited from local non-profit agencies (e.g. the Police Activities League) met once a week for eight weeks to take pictures and share their perspectives on their neighborhood. They were supervised by City staff members Eula Fritz and PAL officers and coordinated by Fabian Lewkowicz, a professional photo journalist who also played the role of a mentor. Lewkowicz led  fifteen youths in a photo essay project focusing on the Mid-City Neighborhood, using photojournalistic style. At the finale on October 3, the youth will exhibit their work and share their narratives with the community at large. The community photo exhibit is being curated by Lewkowicz.

The Santa Monica Bay Human Relations Council, a partnership of local community organizations, individuals, institutions and businesses, endeavors to improve human relations and advocates a socially just community through its various projects, i.e. community dialogues, Literature and Arts and Community Heroes Programs. The Chief of the Santa Monica Fire Department Jim Hone is the current Chairperson of HRC and Tim Jackman,  Chief of Police, is the Chair of the Dialogue committee, coordinators of the Kids with Cameras project.

Kids ride the Scrambler at Pacific Park during  Santa Monica Police Activities League's (PAL) 5th Annual PALpalooza on Wednesday, August 26, 2009. 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.

(top) Santa Monica Fire Chief Jim Hone helps Brianda Maldonado, 16, don a firefighters uniform at Santa Monica Fire station #3  during Santa Monica Human Relations Council's 'Kids with Cameras' summer photo workshop on Wednesday, Aug 12, 2009. (above) Photo students capture images at Santa Monica Firestation #3 during their weekly photo assignment. The students photos will be featured at Kids With Cameras' Community Art Show at McKinley Elementary School on Saturday, October 3.

Police Activity League (PAL) Teenagers Yaser Garmakani (left) and Edgar Sernas capture photos at Douglas Park during Santa Monica Human Relations Council's 'Kids with Cameras' summer photo workshop on Wednesday, July 8, 2009. About 20 photography students meet every week at PAL on Wednesdays where they discuss their weekly assignments with professional photojournalist Fabian Lewkowicz. They are executing a photo essay project illustrating the Mid City neighborhood. The students are transported to designated locations in the "Mid City"area by PAL officers Austin Brown and Jennifer Sekera. All assignments are performed in a photojournalistic style. Photo captions are just as important as the images captured. "Its amazing to see what incredible images these young students can get!' said Fabian. The students' photo essays will be displayed at McKinley Elementary School on Saturday, October 3.

(top) Police Activities League (PAL) officer Jennifer Sekera (center) leads a group of PAL members on a bicycle ride along Broadway ave. on Thursday, July 30, 2009.  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.

(1) Santa Monica Police Sergeant Rudy Camarena (right) dances the Maranga with Naje Cyprian, 8, and SMPD Officer Austin Brown dances with Taneia Bryant, 8, while teaching "Dancing with Police Officers" at the Santa Monica Police Activity League on Tuesday, May, 12, 2009. (2) SMPD Officer Jennifer Sekera dances with PAL kids during the "Dancing with Police Officers" class on Tuesday.

(top) Police Activity League (PAL) kids compete in the Potato-Sack race at Will Rogers State Park during 'Spring Fling' on Thursday, April 9, 2009. (center) PAL kids jump rope at Will Rogers State Park during Spring Fling (above) First-grader, Nadia Cyprian, 6, slides on an ice block.