Police Athletic League’s 46th Annual Superstar Dinner Honoring Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan

EVENT:          POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE’S 46TH ANNUAL SUPERSTAR DINNER HONORING TIMOTHY MICHAEL CARDINAL DOLAN

The Police Athletic League (PAL) honors Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan with the PAL Superstar Award. Ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Louis in 1976, he served as parish priest for eight years, as secretary to the Apostolic Nuncio in DC, as a professor at Kenrick Seminary and St. Louis University, and as rector of the North American College in Rome. In 2001, he was appointed auxiliary bishop of his home diocese by Pope St. John Paul II, who, a year later, made him archbishop of Milwaukee. Pope Benedict XVI transferred him to the Archdiocese of New York in 2009, and named him a Cardinal in 2012. He has served as President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Relief Services, and the co-chair of the National Jewish-Catholic Dialogue. It was his honor as well to enter the conclave which elected Pope Francis in 2013.

Chair:                         Brian Moynihan, Chairman & CEO, Bank of America

Honorary Chairs:       Maurice R. Greenberg * Ronald O. Perelman

Co-Chairs:                * Frank A. Bennack, Jr.

* John A. Catsimatidis

* Richard Silverman

* Bloomberg Philanthropies

* Rupert Murdoch

Host:                           Mark Simone

Performance:              Tony Danza

Invited Guests:           James P. O’Neill, PAL Honorary President, NYC Police Commissioner

                                   Daniel A. Nigro, FDNY Commissioner

                                   Robert M. Morgenthau, PAL Chairman

                                  John Catsimatidis, PAL Vice-Chairman

                                   Robert McGuire, PAL Vice-Chairman

David Arena, PAL President

Fred Wilpon

Maurice R. Greenberg

Ronald O. Perelman

David Dinkins

Frederick J. Watts, PAL Executive Director

DATE:            Tuesday, October 2, 2018

TIME:             6:30- 7:30 p.m. / Cocktails

PLACE:          The Plaza Hotel, 768 Fifth Avenue

CONTACTS: Andrea Kotuk / Andrea & Associates / (212) 353-9585

Jami Landi / Police Athletic League / (212) 477-9450

** PRESS RSVP/COCKTAIL RECEPTION **

New York City’s Police Athletic League is the first and finest civilian-run PAL in the country. Founded in 1914, PAL has served the city’s young people for over 100 years.  PAL provides recreational, educational, cultural and social activities to 30,000 boys and girls annually.  It is one of the city’s largest, independent, nonprofit youth organizations.  For more information, please visit www.palnyc.org. 

Garden of Dreams Foundation and Police Athletic League to Unveil 1.1 Million Dollars in Renovations at PAL Harlem Center on Sept. 20

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Ryan Watson

Ryan.Watson@msg.com

(212)-465-5945

Hosted by Jill Martin, ribbon cutting ceremony will feature appearances from Knicks front office staff including Steve Mills, Scott Perry and David Fizdale as well as Knicks and Rangers legendary players

The Garden of Dreams Foundation will unveil a newly-renovated space at the Police Athletic League (PAL) Harlem Center on September 20 in Harlem, NY. Beginning at 4 p.m., Knicks front office staff, legendary players from the Knicks and Rangers, the Knicks City Dancers, the Rockettes and over 200 students, grades K-8, will partake in a ribbon cutting ceremony, emceed by TODAY Show contributor and MSG Networks reporter Jill Martin, to celebrate improvements made to the PAL Harlem Center. The newly transformed space was made possible by a 1.1 million dollar grant via the Garden of Dreams Giving Program, which seeks to help the Foundation’s partner organizations through the direct support of long-lasting community projects. The Police Athletic League was able to upgrade the Harlem Center with a refurbished gym, game room, Rose Hall and reception area. Following the ribbon ceremony, students will have the opportunity to partake in an outdoor street fair and enjoy a Jr. Knicks basketball clinic in the newly-minted gym.

The Police Athletic League (or PAL) is New York City’s largest independent youth development not-for-profit organization. Together with NYPD and the law enforcement community, PAL supports and inspires New York City youth to realize their full individual potential as productive members of society. PAL operates diverse programs from Head Start, Day Care and Universal Pre-K programs; to elementary and middle school after-school programs; and summer day camps and summer Playstreets.

Garden of Dreams works with The Madison Square Garden Company and MSG Networks to help children facing obstacles such as homelessness, extreme poverty, illness and foster care. Since it began in 2006, Garden of Dreams has used the magic of these two companies – including the Knicks, Rangers, Liberty, Rockettes, famed showplaces and two sports and entertainment networks – to brighten the lives of more than 375,000 children and their families. 

Who:                             TODAY contributor Jill Martin

                                        Steve Mills, President, New York Knicks

                                        Scott Perry, General Manager, New York Knicks

                                        David Fizdale, Head Coach, New York Knicks

                                        Knicks legend John Starks

                                        Rangers legend Rod Gilbert

                                        KNX Gaming and NBA 2K League Champion Adam Kudeimati

                                        Frederick J. Watts, Executive Director, Police Athletic League

                                        First Deputy Commissioner of the NYPD Benjamin Tucker

                                        Knicks City Dancers performance

                                        Radio City Rockettes

                                        200 PAL Youth

What:                            Unveiling of a Refurbished PAL Harlem Center including a new gym, game room, Rose Hall and more

When:                           Thursday, Sept. 20

4p.m.; Media Check-In at 3:30p.m.

Where:                        PAL Harlem Center 

                                     441 Manhattan Ave

                                    New York, NY 10026 

**Media Interested in Attending Please RSVP to Ryan Watson at ryan.watson@msg.com **

Police Athletic League Provides The Foundation To Succeed In School And In Life With PAL Early Childhood Education Program

In communities overwhelmed with poverty, many of the children begin school without the foundation that they need to succeed. The Police Athletic League has been providing vital early childhood education to New York City families for more than 40 years. The Early Childhood Education program prepares the children with a strong cognitive foundation prior to entering kindergarten and includes opportunities for children with disabilities throughout PAL centers in Brooklyn and Queens.

The Early Childhood Education Centers in Brooklyn and Queens currently serve more than 600 children, ages two through five. The centers in Brooklyn are PAL Carey Gardens, PAL La Puerta Abierta, PAL World of Creative Experiences, PAL Roberta Bright,  and the Arnold and Marie Schwartz Early Learning Program. The centers in Queens  are PAL Western Queens Nursery School and PAL Woodside.

“Preparing our children and families for success through quality early education is our priority,” said Asneth Council, Ph.D., PAL Director of Child Care and Nutrition.

The PAL centers integrate Head Start Programs, Daycare, and Universal  Pre-Kindergarten as programs to provide the children with the tools they need to succeed. The children are exposed to science, music, and dance in their classrooms and also have the opportunity to plant their own garden in the spring.  They are also equipped with recognition of the alphabet, letter sounds and counting skills.

Parents are encouraged to be closely engaged with their children’s development. PAL parents volunteer in the classroom, kitchen, on trips and attend monthly family workshops, as well as take part in literacy efforts. One parent, Mr. Covington, who participates in Daddy Read to Me Day, said, “PAL is a lifesaver. It provides me with access to affordable childcare that I wouldn’t be able to get otherwise.” Participants have shown an increase in family literacy and social skills. The Bridging the Achievment Gap Literacy Initiative focuses on encouraging children and families to read a minimum of 15 books in the “Book of the Month” lending library. These books are incorporated into Lesson Plans and children build their vocabulary with the “Word of the Month” chosen from the Book of the Month.

The U.S. Department of Education finds that 6 out of 10 children are unprepared for kindergarten, while all 2016 Universal Pre-K students in PAL’s Early Childhood Program were deemed ready for school. The program embraces and addresses each child’s individual strengths and needs in order to receive the best educational and developmental opportunities.

New York City’s Police Athletic League is the first and finest civilian-run PAL in the country. Founded in 1914, PAL has served the city’s young people for over 100 years. PAL provides recreational, educational, cultural and social activities to 30,000 boys and girls annually. It is also the city’s largest, independent, nonprofit youth organization. For more information, please visit www. palnyc.org.

Photo Credit: Abby Haight/LoveHaight Photography

CONTACTS:

Andrea Kotuk / Andrea & Associates / (212) 353-9585

Frederick J. Watts / Police Athletic League / (212) 477-9450

Police Athletic League’s Citywide Summer Youth Employment Program Connected Teens To The Workforce

During the summer, the Police Athletic League placed more than 1,500 New York City teens in much-needed jobs through PAL’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). The program is made possible through funding from the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development.

In Jamaica, Queens, teenagers were mentored by Detective Tanya Duhaney, a 17-year NYPD veteran, at the 113th Precinct. Det. Duhaney grew up in Jamaica in the same precinct she now serves. She is also a former PAL kid.

“I think it’s important that we work with PAL,” says Det. Duhaney, who has mentored PAL summer teens for the past 10 years. “We not only have fun with the young people, but we inspire them to do something meaningful in New York City.”

Under Det. Duhaney’s guidance, PAL teens had a meaningful summer job experience. The young New Yorkers interacted with people from all walks of life, including former First Lady of New York State Matilda Cuomo. They also helped NYPD officers organize the National Night Out Against Crime event at Baisley Pond Park in Queens.

“PAL teens get to see firsthand what it’s like to be a police officer,” says Det. Duhaney. “When they first come in, several kids have negative perceptions of the police from the media or their friends. In a day or two at the precinct, the kids observe the police officers’ professional conduct, often in circumstances where members of the public are agitated. They say, ‘we never see you guys go through all this.’”

“PAL alum and Detective Tanya Duhaney is an exemplary role model for PAL youth,” says Frederick Watts, PAL Executive Director. “NYPD officers participate year round in a wide range of our programs and activities. We are truly grateful to all the NYPD officers, like Detective Duhaney, who give so generously of their time and talent to serve as an inspiration to PAL children.”

New York City’s Police Athletic League is the first and finest civilian-run PAL in the country. Founded in 1914, PAL has served the city’s young people for over 100 years. PAL provides recreational, educational, cultural and social activities to 35,000 boys and girls annually. It is also the city’s largest, independent, nonprofit youth organization. For more information, please visit www.palnyc.org.

CONTACTS:

Andrea Kotuk / Andrea & Associates / (212) 353-9585

Frederick Watts / Police Athletic League / (212) 477-9450

PAL Executive Director Frederick Watts and the Police Athletic League were honored at City & State’s Protecting New York Summit.

On July 17th, the Police Athletic League and Executive Director Frederick Watts were honored at City & State’s Protecting New York Summit and Awards held at Baruch College. The day-long event offered industry executives, public sector leaders and academics the opportunity to share ideas about how to discuss New York’s security strategy from elections to community policing and the tools needed to be recognized as a national leader in homeland security and emergency management. The Summit focused on insights and perspectives across industries within New York’s public safety and security initiatives and programs.

The Keynote address was presented by James O’Neill, NYPD Commissioner and PAL Honorary President, with an introduction by Paul Tierney, Senior Vice President of Public Sector State and Local Government, Dataminr. Panel sessions covered “Maximizing New York’s Security” and “Government’s Integrity in the Post-Truth Era” and addressed a wide range of topics including “How has New York fared in emergency responsiveness as well as in counterterrorism planning and prevention?” and “What is the connection between elections technology and security?”

PAL’s Executive Director Frederick Watts was recognized at the awards ceremony. He acknowledged the great work of the PAL staff and urged the Summit participants to view PAL’s youth development programs as not only contributing to a safer, better New York, but as essential to providing City youth with equal opportunities for growth and success. Other honorees at the Summit included: Nada Marie Anid, VP, Strategic Communications and External

Affairs, New York Institute of Technology; Lenora B. Fulani, PhD., Co-Founder, All Stars Project, Inc., and Naomi Ryan, Executive Director, Reisenbach Foundation.

New York City’s Police Athletic League is the first and finest civilian-run PAL in the country. Founded in 1914, PAL has served the city’s young people for over 100 years. PAL provides recreational, educational, cultural and social activities to 35,000 boys and girls annually. It is also the city’s largest, independent, nonprofit youth organization. For more information, please visit www.palnyc.org.

Photo Credit: Ali Garber

POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE

The Police Athletic League (PAL) is New York City’s largest, nonprofit, independent youth organization. Founded in 1914, PAL serves 30,000 New York City boys and girls each year with recreations, educational, cultural and social programs. PAL is the official youth agency of the New York Police Department.

CONTACT:

Andrea Kotuk, Andrea & Associates – Tel: 1 (212) 353-9585

POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND NEW VICE CHAIRMEN

                The Board of Directors of the Police Athletic League, NYC (PAL), the city’s largest, independent nonprofit youth organization, recently appointed its new leadership team at its May 18th Board meeting.  David Arena, Head of Global Corporate Real Estate for JPMorgan Chase & Co., was voted the new President of the Police Athletic League Board of Directors.  David Arena has been a member of the PAL Board since 2010, and formerly served as Vice President.

                John Osborn, President and CEO of BBDO New York, who has served on the PAL Board since 2005, and as Board President since 2008, will become a Vice Chairman.  John Catsimatidis, Chairman and CEO of the Red Apple Group, who has been a member of PAL’s Board since 1987, will also serve as a Vice Chairman.

              Robert M. Morgenthau, PAL Chairman of the Board of Directors, says, “John Osborn has worked tirelessly and with great tenacity and skill as President of PAL, and we are grateful that he will continue his work for PAL as Vice Chairman.  As a member of the Board, David Arena has worked hard and has shown his commitment to the young people of this City.  As President, Mr. Arena will no doubt use his considerable professional talents for the betterment of City kids.  John Catsimatidis has distinguished himself in his 30 years of service on the PAL Board, and his elevation to Vice Chairman is most welcome and deserved.  We are delighted that Bob McGuire, who has been of tremendous support to PAL, will continue to serve as Vice Chairman.”

David Arena, New Board President at PAL

David Arena is the Head of Global Corporate Real Estate for JPMorgan Chase & Co., and is responsible for managing the firm’s global real estate portfolio with over 7,400 properties worldwide, comprising over 80 million square feet of space.  Prior to joining JPMorgan Chase, Arena was the President of Grubb & Ellis, NY, a real estate service and investment management company. Under his leadership, the firm became one of the top-tier managers in the NYC league tables.  Prior to this, he was the Chief Strategic Officer for Jones Lang LaSalle, NY and was responsible for advising clients such as IBM, MetLife, Goldman Sachs and The Port Authority of NY/NJ. Earlier in his career, Arena was a Managing Director and Head of Global Corporate Real Estate for Morgan Stanley, leading global investment and real estate strategy.

John Osborn, New Vice Chairman of the Board, PAL

                John Osborn is President and CEO of BBDO New York for the past 11 years, longer than any other New York agency head.   Under Osborn’s leadership, BBDO New York has more than doubled revenues and expanded its client base.  Osborn joined BBDO New York in 1991. Over the years, he has demonstrated that he is an energetic, positive and passionate leader with a proven ability to build strong client relationships and to lead multi-disciplinary teams in the creation of powerful communication programs.  He has been actively involved with many of the agency’s clients including FedEx, GE, J&J, Pfizer, CVS, Subway, Lowe’s, Mars, Visa and the American Red Cross.  He began his BBDO career on Pepsi and was the principal architect of the agency’s integrated marketing efforts, expanding the agency’s service offerings to include digital and social marketing, CRM, design and more.

Osborn currently serves as Chairman of the Board of the American Red Cross of Greater New York, and was recently elected to the Board of the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Public Policy and Social Sciences at Dartmouth College. He has previously served as Chairman of the Board of the American Advertising Federation.

John Catsimatidis, New Vice Chairman of the Board, PAL

                John Catsimatidis is the Chairman and CEO of the Red Apple Group, an energy company with holdings in oil refining and bio fuels, retail petroleum products, convenience stores, real estate, aviation, and supermarkets, in addition to investments in both medical and industrial technology.  Catsimatidis started the company in the late 1960s while still in college by opening a supermarket chain in Manhattan known as Gristedes Supermarkets.  Today, his company is listed as one of the largest family-owned businesses in America.  Catsimatidis employs 8,000 people in the New York area.  His company posts annual sales of approximately $5 billion.  Catsimatidis is also host of a weekly radio program on AM 970.  Catsimatidis attended all public schools in New York City as well, as New York University.

Former Manhattan District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau remains Chairman of the Board at PAL, and former New York City Police Commissioner Robert J. McGuire will remain a Vice Chairman.

New York City’s Police Athletic League is the first and finest civilian-run PAL in the country. Founded in 1914, PAL has served the city’s young people for over 100 years.  PAL provides recreational, educational, cultural and social activities to 35,000 boys and girls annually.  It is also the city’s largest, independent, nonprofit youth organization.  For more information, please visit www.palnyc.org

POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE’S JUNIOR POLICE JAMBOREE

Over 150 children, ages 8 to 12, from 20 Police Athletic League (PAL) Centers across the five boroughs gather at the NYPD Candidate Assessment Center for the 8th Annual Junior Police Jamboree.  The young “recruits” will display projects highlighting leadership qualities and community service during a fair, while members of NYPD demonstrate officer training activities.  Following the presentations, youth will take the Junior Police Pledge.

PAL’s Junior Police Club is a leadership development program, whose members work toward the completion of civic projects during PAL’s After School Program. Through partnership with the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau, Youth Services Section, the program fosters positive relations between youth and police officers, while teaching young people a sense of leadership and a responsibility to give back to their communities.

###

POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE

The Police Athletic League (PAL) is New York City’s largest, nonprofit, independent youth organization. Founded in 1914, PAL serves 30,000 New York City boys and girls each year with recreations, educational, cultural and social programs. PAL is the official youth agency of the New York Police Department.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Andrea Kotuk, Andrea & Associates – Tel: 1(212) 353-9585

Police Athletic League NYC – Tel: 1(212) 477-9450

Brooklyn Youngsters Performed Award-Winning Poems At Police Athletic League's Annual Poetry Jam

On May 20, 2016, 27 Police Athletic League (PAL) children from all five boroughs gathered at Affirmation Arts, 523 West 37th Street in Manhattan, to showcase their spoken word creations to friends, family and PAL staff at PAL’s Annual Poetry Jam.  Students from PAL’s Breukelen Cornerstone Center and IS 218 Beacon Center worked on their poems at the PAL ARTS After School Program.

Brooklyn winners included fifth grader Dalicia Frazier McKiever from Breukelen Cornerstone Center and seventh grader Dalton Small from IS 218 Beacon Center.

New York City’s Police Athletic League is the first and finest civilian-run PAL in the country. Founded in 1914, PAL has served the city’s young people for over 100 years.  PAL provides recreational, educational, cultural and social activities to 35,000 boys and girls annually.  It is also the city’s largest, independent, nonprofit youth organization.  For more information, please visit www.palnyc.org

# # #

POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE

The Police Athletic League (PAL) is New York City’s largest, nonprofit, independent youth organization. Founded in 1914, PAL serves 30,000 New York City boys and girls each year with recreational, educational, cultural and social programs. PAL is the official youth agency of the New York Police Department.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Andrea Kotuk, Andrea & Associates – Tel: 1(212) 353-9585

Police Athletic League NYC – Tel: 1(212) 477-9450 

Police Athletic League Cuts Ribbon on William J. Duncan Center

On March 19, 2015, the Police Athletic League hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate completed renovations to PAL’s William J. Duncan Center in Manhattan, thanks to a generous donation from The Mara Family and The NY/NJ Snowflake Youth Foundation. As part of the NY/NJ Super Bowl initiative, the Foundation raised funds to create legacy gifts for youth organizations like the Police Athletic League, donating $350,000 to PAL to renovate the first floor of the Duncan Center, with $250,000 of these funds contributed by The Mara Family. PAL kids benefit from new floors, walls, ceilings, bathrooms, kitchen and a new front desk.

Special guests in attendance at the ceremony included John Mara, President and Chief Executive Officer, New York Giants; Robert J. Morgenthau, Chairman of the Board, Police Athletic League; Tony Danza, Actor and PAL Board Member; Frederick Watts, Executive Director, Police Athletic League; Rikki Klieman, PAL Board Member and PAL William J. Duncan Center youth.  The ceremony concluded with a special performance by children in the PAL/Youth Orchestra of St. Luke’s

# # #

Police Athletic League

The Police Athletic League (PAL) is New York City’s largest, nonprofit, independent youth organization. Founded in 1914, PAL serves 50,000 New York City boys and girls each year with recreational, educational, cultural and social programs.PAL is the official youth agency of the New York Police Department.

Media Contacts

Andrea Kotuk, Andrea & Associates. Tel: +1 (212) 353-9585
Police Athletic League NYC. Tel: +1 (212) 477-9450

The Police Athletic League NYC to Ring The Nasdaq Stock Market Closing Bell

The Police Athletic League (PAL) New York City will visit the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square to reflect on its Centennial.   For over 100 years, PAL has helped millions of young men and women build for their futures by providing them with safe, attractive and supportive environments to enjoy their free time, afterschool, evenings and weekends. Today, PAL provides recreational, educational, cultural and social activities to 35,000 NYC boys and girls annually.

In honor of the occasion, John Osborn, PAL President, and President and CEO of BBDO New York will ring the Closing Bell.  

# # #

Police Athletic League

The Police Athletic League (PAL) is New York City’s largest, nonprofit, independent youth organization. Founded in 1914, PAL serves 50,000 New York City boys and girls each year with recreational, educational, cultural and social programs.PAL is the official youth agency of the New York Police Department.

Media Contacts

Andrea Kotuk, Andrea & Associates. Tel: +1 (212) 353-9585
Police Athletic League NYC. Tel: +1 (212) 477-9450

2015 William Tucker Garvin Public Service Award

The PAL family is honored that Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown (right) presented the 2015 William Tucker Garvin Public Service Award to our Executive Director Frederick J. Watts yesterday. William Tucker Garvin was the first African-American Assistant District Attorney appointed in Queens and served from 1952 to 1966. 

Police Athletic League

The Police Athletic League (PAL) is New York City’s largest, nonprofit, independent youth organization. Founded in 1914, PAL serves 50,000 New York City boys and girls each year with recreational, educational, cultural and social programs.PAL is the official youth agency of the New York Police Department.

Media Contacts

Andrea Kotuk, Andrea & Associates. Tel: +1 (212) 353-9585
Police Athletic League NYC. Tel: +1 (212) 477-9450