Recently, four youth ages 12-16 from across Riverside County who are part of the DA’s Crime Prevention Unit (CPU) outreach had the unique opportunity to take part in a Youth Mentoring Summit in our nation’s capital. They were accompanied by CPU and SAFE Family Justice Center staff.

 

They were among 650 youth and mentors from National Police Activities League (PAL) chapters who gathered for a week of learning more about history, leadership, and self-advocacy. They also were able to visit locations such as the Capitol, the Washington Monument, the Vietnam and World War II memorials, the Holocaust Museum, and the National Gallery of Art.

 

We thought you might like to meet these four outstanding young people and hear about their experience during this trip. They are Kai, 16 years old from Temecula; Evan, 13, from Moreno Valley; Genesis, 14, from Indio; and Karyme, 12, from Indio.

Here is what Kai had to say:

 

What was the most exciting part of the trip?
Make new friends, be able to be more outgoing and more comfortable in my environment.
What is something you learned from the summit?
Sometimes sacrifices have to be made for the better good and how to better myself overall. Physical traits, personality, image both for myself and other people.
What is something you will take back to your community?
Respect plays a big role in life and no matter who you are - you deserve respect. And to get respect you have to give respect.
What’s something you want other people to know about PAL?
That it is something that is worth seeking and to spread the word about. It’s a good community to be a part of. It has an impact on all ages and all parts of the community.
What’s one goal you have for your future? What about your future in PAL?

I want to better myself and become more responsible than I am. Gain wisdom from my mistakes and not make the same mistakes again. To continue to go to PAL and eventually become a mentor and eventually be able to help kids like me. Both younger and older.

Why do you think you were chosen for the youth summit?
You saw potential in us to become leaders and that providing information that can help us become better for ourselves and we could bring up other people.

 

Evan had this to say:

What was the most exciting part of the trip?
Going to the capitol and seeing the Washington monument. I got to see the place that I’ve seen in movies. Seeing the Lincoln memorial was made of marble was epic.
What is something you learned from the summit?
I learned that the hallway of the capitol is longer than the Washington monument. I learned that it’s pretty easy to make friends.
What is something you will take back to your community?
I can be more patient, nice, and cooler. I learned tips on how to talk to people which will help me in job interviews in the future. I’ll be able to contribute to my community by like donating to foundations.
What’s something you want other people to know about PAL?
PAL is really fun, and you can make a lot of friends easily.
What’s one goal you have for your future? What about your future in PAL?

To get enough money to be financially stable and to be a cool mentor for others.

Why do you think you were chosen for the summit?
I talk a good amount. I showed dedication in coming to Boys Council both at school and when it came to the community.

 

Genesis said:

What was the most exciting part of the trip?
Making friends with the other kids from my community that I hadn’t met before. I hope to continue to meet up with them.
What is something you learned from the summit?
I feel like I opened up more and will be able to talk to anyone know which is something I wasn’t able to do before coming here.

During one session we talked about women's empowerment and the mentors gave us advice about interacting with our parents in a positive way. They say that time heals all wounds, but I believe that time helps you learn how to live with the pain and lets you grow.

What is something you will take back to your community?
I will be able to give better advice and share what I learned here and when I get back to California, I’ll be able to help my friends.
What’s something you want other people to know about PAL?
That this is a really great program. Every single hour and day because you meet a lot of great people and learn a lot of things that will be good for your future and help the rest of your life.
What’s one goal you have for your future? What about your future in PAL?
I want to be more responsible. I like to be there for my friends and family but want to work on being better day to day. To come back to the youth summit in the future, and to become a mentor in the future. I want to help girls like me who may need help with mental health and a place to talk about their life.
Why do you think you were chosen for the summit?
Because you saw potential in me to grow up more and be better personally. I needed help so you chose me.

 

And Karyme had this to say about the opportunity:

What was the most exciting part of the trip?

The museums. My favorite was the museum inside the capitol that had interactive screens where we could learn about different parts of history. They were interesting and I learned a lot of things.

What is something you learned from the summit?
I had a breakout room that talked about different colleges and how to get accepted into them.
What is something you will take back to your community?
How important it is to have your own opinion and voice.
What’s something you want other people to know about PAL?
PAL is really fun and you get to meet a lot of nice people. We got to learn from a lot of great speakers.
What’s one goal you have for your future? What about your future in PAL?
My goal is to graduate.

I want to be more talkative in PAL.

Why do you think you were chosen for the Summit?
I think that I was brought here because my mentor thinks that I have a leader in me and maybe she wanted to see that, and she wanted me to be more talkative.

 

OUR PAL PROGRAM

Our local PAL program is founded on the belief that early prevention and intervention for youth will reduce juvenile crime and violence. PAL provides programs and activities which offer all youth an opportunity to participate with positive role models in a safe environment with caring adults.

 

SAFE Family Justice Centers accepts sign-ups year-round for our local Police Activities League. If you have children ages 5-17 that would benefit from a local Riverside County PAL program, call (951) 587-3900 or email [email protected].