The Police Athletic League (PAL) Board of Directors and President David J. Arena announced the appointment of Carlos Velazquez as the new executive director beginning on January 31, 2022.
Harlem World Magazine Coverage - PAL Children In Harlem Fly Into Action For The Tournament Of Champions STEM Challenge
On February 16, 2022, Police Athletic League youngsters from all five boroughs of New York City participated in the city-wide PAL Tournament of Champions STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Challenge.
Norwood News - Police Athletic League’s Tournament of Champions Engages Bronx Kids in STEM Projects
Police Athletic League (PAL) youngsters from all five boroughs of New York City participated in the citywide PAL Tournament of Champions STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Challenge, on Wednesday, Feb. 16. Activities focused on STEM and physical education learning, featuring engineering, design and physics skills building. The 2022 competition was an individual, center-based competition held at each PAL center with participants in Kindergarten through eighth grades working within age groups.
NYN Media Coverage - Police Athletic League names Carlos Velazquez as executive director
The new head of PAL speaks to NYN Media about growing up in East Harlem, his passion for serving youth and his vision for the youth organization.
POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE (PAL) ANNOUNCES CARLOS VELAZQUEZ AS ITS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
CONTACTS:
Andrea Kotuk/Andrea & Associates/(212) 353-9585
Lisa Weir/PAL/(917) 848-6683
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New York City – The Police Athletic League (PAL) Board of Directors and President David J. Arena announce the appointment of Carlos Velazquez as the new Executive Director to begin on January 31, 2022. PAL, a nonprofit organization, has served New York City’s youth for over 100 years. Throughout Mr. Velazquez’s 20-year career in public service, he has been dedicated to addressing the needs of underserved youth and cultivating strategic relationships with community partners and government agencies. Prior to joining PAL, he was the Chief Program Officer for the Boys’ Club of New York where he led all aspects of expansion and program development.
Mr. Velazquez has worked with a wide range of partners within the youth development, education, law enforcement and justice systems including NYPD, FDNY, Department of Youth and Community Development and the New York City District Attorney’s Office. Mr. Velazquez has a Master of Education from Bank Street College of Education, a Master of Social Work and a Bachelor of Science from Syracuse University, College of Human Services and Health Professions, and a certificate for Developing Leaders from Columbia University, Executive Education Program.
“We are pleased to welcome Carlos Velazquez as PAL’s new Executive Director,” says PAL President David J. Arena. “Mr. Velazquez has a solid foundation of experience in managing complex and multidisciplinary programming for the Boys’ Club of New York and has maintained vital partnerships in law enforcement and youth development. He also possesses the necessary skills required for the implementation and execution of our strategic goals and initiatives. Carlos has deep roots in the communities we serve, and thousands of PAL children and families will benefit from his leadership and dedication.”
PAL operates 27 youth centers and sites throughout the five boroughs with a budget of approximately $30 million. Young people, ages 3 to 21, participate in a wide array of programs afterschool, evenings and weekends including Early Head Start, Head Start, afterschool activities, summer day camps and play streets, teen centers, Teen Acting program, college readiness, youth employment and juvenile justice programs.
“I am thrilled and honored to lead an organization with a rich history and legacy of serving New York City families,” says Carlos Velazquez, PAL Executive Director. “As a native New Yorker with a passion for helping young people reach their fullest potential, I cannot think of a better place to continue my career in public service. Our communities are living through a pivotal time, and PAL will continue to be a safe place where youth can build relationships and emerge as leaders.”
Mr. Velazquez was awarded a commendation from the New York City Comptroller’s Office, and the 2018 Community Service Award from the FDNY Hispanic Society, and the 2011 Pasesetter Award from the Partnership of Afterschool Education.
He has previously held leadership positions at the Center for Supportive Schools; Let’s Get Ready, KIPP NYC, Harlem Children’s Zone, and East Harlem Tutorial Program. He was born and raised in East Harlem and currently resides in Brick, NJ.
Mr. Velazquez succeeds Frederick J. Watts as the Executive Director of the Police Athletic League. Mr. Watts announced his plans for retirement in January 2021 and recently passed away on December 23, 2021. The PAL Board of Directors and staff mourn his loss and honor and appreciate his seven years of service to New York City’s children.
Founded in 1914, New York City’s Police Athletic League provides recreational, educational, cultural and social activities to 20,000 children and teens annually. For more information, please visit www.palnyc.org.
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Photo Caption: Carlos Velazquez, Executive Director, Police Athletic League
Photo Credit: Nino Gallego
The Passing of Frederick J. Watts
We are very sorry to report that Frederick J. Watts, our extraordinary Executive Director, passed away on December 23rd. We will miss Fred for his warmth, compassion and kindness, in addition to his steadfast dedication and commitment to PAL, its children, families and communities.
Under his leadership, PAL increased its engagement in the communities that we serve and strengthened connections with New York City law enforcement. Above all, he will be remembered by the PAL children whose lives he touched and changed forever.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff and PAL children and teens, we offer our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to Fred’s family.
CBS New York Coverage - Police Athletic League In Harlem Hosts Annual Holiday Party For Children
Santa arrived early for dozens of children in Manhattan on Saturday.
Children ages 5-12 enjoyed a festive annual holiday party at the Police Athletic League in Harlem.
Queens Chronicle Coverage - St. Albans PAL wins pennant
Hmonie Miller, left, Caylee Byrd, Kai Thrower, Jacob Cleophat and Isaiah Pierre from PAL’s Pathways Prep Center in St. Albans were winners of the Police Athletic League’s Pennant Quest on July 28.
WNBC Coverage - PAL Summer Camp
Watch full coverage of PAL Campers in MorningsidePark learning basic survival skills.
WPIX11 News Coverage - NYC kids learn camping, survival skills
City kids are getting a chance to explore the great outdoors and learn camping survival skills in Manhattan.
Living in New York City, it’s not something these kids are used to, but they’re loving it.
“It’s really beautiful and it’s peaceful,” 10-year-old Analia Escotto said.
WPIX11 News Coverage - 2021 PAL Summer Opening
Watch full coverage of PAL’s Playstreet Opening (Special Narcotics) on WPIX, PIX News at 5pm.
NY1 News Coverage - 2021 PAL Staten Island Street Games
Watch full coverage of PAL’s Staten Island Street Games on NY1.
Silive.com Coverage - ‘A bridge between community and NYPD’ -- Police Athletic League’s ‘Street Games’ a rousing success at Stapleton Houses
The Police Athletic League has long been a fixture in the youth sports community across New York City, but the organization has been particularly endearing to Stapleton in recent years. The PAL conducted its “Street Games” program on Thursday at the Stapleton Houses as part of its anti-gun violence initiative in New York City Housing Authority neighborhoods.
Saturday Night Lights - PAL Locations
NY1 Noticias Coverage - 2021 PAL Summer Opening
Watch the full coverage of PAL’s 2021 Playstreet Opening (Special Narcotics)
PAL PLAYSTREETS, Summer camps and Street Games
THERE ARE LOTS OF EVENTS HAPPENING THIS SUMMER AT THE POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE.
Written by Ingrid Gendler.
Nothing is better than getting outside to play in the summer months, and PAL is looking to help the city’s families do just that with our popular Street Games programming. Check out this blog post for some more information about the program, and how you can get involved.
Since our founding in 1914, sports programming has remained at the core of PAL’s work keeping kids active and safe throughout the city. PAL’s Street Games, launched just last year, are weekend events held throughout the neighborhood of New York City where families can come and play!
The goal of Street Games is to keep youth between the ages of 10 -18 active outdoors in the summer months, and to encourage a bit of friendly competition. Youth can join in team sports such as basketball, dodgeball, arts and crafts, and classic street activities such as double-dutch or chalk-drawing. Staff and NYPD participants are there providing encouragement, support, and ensuring that all are safe and having fun!
See the list below for a list of PAL’s upcoming events plus dates and locations. We hope to see you this summer!
Street Games (updated Jul 22, 2021). Please note that these are subject to change because of weather or other issues beyond our control.
Patterson Houses – 7/12 - Bronx
Queensbridge Houses – 7/19 - Queens
Bushwick - 7/20 - 12pm - 4pm - Brooklyn
Wagner Houses - 7/22 - 2pm - 6pm - Harlem
VanDyke Houses – 7/30 - Brooklyn
Tompkins Houses – 8/5 - 12pm - 4pm - Brooklyn
Wagner Houses - 8/7 - 12pm - 4pm - Harlem
Polo Grounds Houses - 8/7 - 12 pm - 3pm - Upper Manhattan
Ingersoll Houses – 8/9 - Brooklyn
Boulevard Houses – 8/28 - 1pm - 4pm - Brooklyn
PLAYSTREETS
124th Street and Marcus Garvey Park – Harlem
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
July 12 - August 19 - 11 am - 4pm
196th Street and Bainbridge Avenue - Bronx
Fridays – July 9 -August 12 - 11 am - 4pm
Polo Grounds - Upper Manhattan (3005 Frederick Douglass Blvd)
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
July 5 - August 12 - 11 am - 4pm
Hinton Park - Corona, Queens (114th Street)
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
July 20 - August 23
Headstart Daycare
Western Queens – 10-26 41st Avenue Long Island City, NY 11101
Woodside – 50-37 Broadway Woodside, NY 11377
Arnold and Marie Schwartz – 452 Pennsylvania Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11207
World of Creative Experiences – 280 Livonia Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11212
Summer Camp
Webster Center – 2255 Webster Avenue, Bronx NY 10457
Harlem Center – 441 Manhattan Avenue, New York, NY 10026
Polo Grounds Cornerstone – 3005 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10039
Edward Byrne Center – 116-25 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. Queens, NY 11434
Breukelen Cornerstone – 715 East 105th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11236
Michael J. Petrides – 715 Ocean Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301
BronxTimes Coverage - PAL Virtual 2021 Graduation Ceremony Celebrates PAL College Access Program
The Police Athletic League held a virtual graduation ceremony on June 1 to celebrate PAL’s College Access Program. Graduates head to college in the fall and PAL Rising Stars move up to their senior year of high school.
BronxTimes Coverage - Bronx youth showcase winning poems in PAL 2021 Poetry Anthology
The Police Athletic League (PAL) recently held its annual Poetry Writing Contest with participants from the citywide PAL After-School Program.
BronxTimes Coverage - Bronx Police Athletic League announces 2021 Robert J. McGuire Scholarships
On May 27, the Police Athletic League held a virtual ceremony to celebrate the recipients of the Robert J. McGuire Scholarships including Bronx residents.
Harlem World Coverage: Harlem Youngsters Showcase Hope In Winning Poems And Artwork In PAL 2021 Poetry Anthology
The Police Athletic League (PAL) held its annual Poetry Writing Contest with participants from the citywide PAL After-School Program.
Young poets and artists showcased their winning poems and art digitally in the PAL 2021 Poetry Anthology.