My School Rocks! 2014-03 - Our 10th Anniversary Edition | Page 20

Jeff Hood

these children’s lives is an important part of
what we can offer. Our kids are no different than
children anywhere. They want to know they are
loved.”
PROGRAMS BLEND LEARNING, SPORTS
Hood has led Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s PAL
since 2009. The program has grown and plays
an important role in the community. The afterschool programs meet during the entire school year and
go until 7 p.m. The kids get snacks and help with their
homework. They also work on new and fun projects like
building robots or playing sports in the gym onsite at the
Greenville Center.

Eve r y Y
a PAL
ou t h Ne e d s
POLICE ACTIVITIES LEAGUE ENRICHES CHARLOTTE KIDS

F

or nearly 50 years, children in
Charlotte have had a PAL.

Children from elementary through
high school can enjoy the afterschool and summer enrichment
programs from the Police Activities
League (PAL) serving CharlotteMecklenburg. With programs at
Greenville Neighborhood Center,
Bette Rae Thomas Recreational
Center and the Memorial United
Methodist Church, kids can enjoy
education and physical improvement
at the end of the school day and the
end of the school year.
Five years ago, the non-profit was
known as the Police Athletic League.

20 – My School Rocks! | March 2014

It changed its name in 2009 to better
reflect its mission to host a wide
area of learning and fun programs
for kids. Choices range from STEM
educational programs to different
kinds of sports. Classes include
robotics, math, reading, photography
and storytelling. Sports include
cheerleading, dance, basketball,
football, soccer, martial arts and golf.
A ‘DAD’ AT PAL
Each year, more than 850 children
attend local PAL programs. PAL
is supported by the CharlotteMecklenburg Police Department,
the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s
Department and the Charlotte
Optimists Club. There are several

hundred similar programs across the
country.
At Greenville, the first stop for most
kids is Jeff Hood’s office. He is
executive director of PAL. Tall and
trim, Hood looks like a professional
athlete. His friendly approach and
welcoming smile make him popular
with both students and parents.
Many of the kids call him “Dad.”
Though he is not their father, he has
respect for the responsibility that
comes with being a role model and
father figure for hundreds of children.
“Many of our kids come from singleparent households,” explains Hood.
“For me, providing a caring role in

Summer programs begin right after the school year
ends. They last for 10 weeks and feature fun learning in
the morning and sports in the afternoon. Fees for PAL
programs vary, but rarely reach three figures, including
an annual membership fee. Further, no participants are
turned away if they can’t afford to pay.
While younger PAL kids enjoy learning, athletics and
camaraderie, the teens also get excited about the
college visits. For kids 16 and older, PAL organizes a
three-day college visit trip. A group of schools is picked
every year and a small group of the teens get to visit
different colleges. The goal is to see what college life is
like and what the schools have to offer the students.
“The best part of our program is our kids get to meet
local police and sheriffs who volunteer and coach the
sports,” says Hood. “The kids can see the police caring
for people just like them. They relate to the kids on a
personal level.”
PAL registration takes place at the main PAL office, 1330
Spring St., Charlotte, NC 28206. For more information,
call 704-336-2105 or go to www.palcharlotte.org.

D
PAL Youth

ance Pro

gram

PAL Photos (including lead in photo of the Back to School Drive)
courtesy of Jeff Hood, Char/Meck PAL. Jeff Hood photo by author.

Race Cars
Go Karts
Driving!
Camp Motorsport ™
www.campmotorsport.com

Summer Camp • Ages 8-16 • Co-Ed
Michael J. Solender is a Charlotte-based writer with
hundreds of features published in regional and national
publications. Find more of his work at:
michaeljwrites.com.

Clover, Virginia

[phone]
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