Fifteen-year-old Desmeire Gaiters and other youths like him have had a PAL to lean on in Aiken for the past few years.
"It's been a great program," Desmeire said. "It's helped me develop myself in sports and academics."
Recently, the effort, known as the Police Athletic League, or PAL for short, got a much-needed boost with the award of $15,571 through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant.
"All the grant money donated goes into programs for the kids. None of the administrative costs come out of that money," said Lalita Ashley, the program director for PAL, which is sponsored by the Aiken Department of Public Safety.
The program is for 6- to 18-year-olds and was started in April 2006 to offer at-risk youth a chance to get involved in several team sports and even a leadership group.
The program recently received the 2009 Municipal Achievement Award through the Municipal Association of South Carolina, according to Aiken's official government Web site.
PAL's offerings include baseball, basketball, football, cheerleading, track and field and chess. Desmeire has been involved with PAL for a few years now in basketball, football, track and the youth leadership program.
"It teaches us about manners and etiquette," he said of the leadership class.
Without specific statistics, authorities say they believe the program has helped keep down juvenile crime while also inspiring youths to perform well in school.
"In the football season, 70 percent of our athletes were recognized for making the honor roll or perfect attendance," Ms. Ashley said, adding that "At the end of each season we recognize the students who have performed well academically."
The most recent grant money, officials say, comes at a good time because donations have waned amid the current recession.
Ms. Ashley said there are about 200 youth in the nonprofit program at any particular time. She said there is a yearly registration fee of $25 for one child, $40 for two and $60 for three or more. She said that's far cheaper than many other recreation programs.
"A lot of students or our parents cannot afford to participate in standard athletic programs," she said. "So it gives kids who probably would not have the opportunity to participate an opportunity to get involved in athletics."
Those interested in signing up for PAL or donating to the program can call (803) 642-7686.
Reach Preston Sparks at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110 or preston.sparks@augustachronicle.com.
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