Age range

Website: www.nmpal.com

Mission/Goals: The New Mexico Police Athletic League (PAL) is a recreation-based juvenile crime prevention program. PAL is based on the belief that through athletics and other recreation, kids can develop strong bonds with police officers to become responsible adults and good citizens. It aims to build self-esteem and resiliency in youth, and provide positive alternatives to drug use, violence, gang activity and other negative behaviors.

Notes: PAL programs exist in 12 cities within New Mexico. After-school activities include various sports programs, anti-drug programs, Camp Courage, and a girls' health program. A domestic violence program is also in the process of being implemented.

Source(s): www.guidestar.org; www.nmpal.com

Type of Evaluation: Outcomes Monitoring

Objective: The purpose of the evaluation is to document and assess the implementation, effectiveness, and impact of the New Mexico SPAL project.

Impact/Outcomes: For the junior police academy in Albuquerque, 100% of participants rated the program, the instructors and the classes as 'very good' or 'good'. When asked how they had benefited from the program, 11 participants said they had more self-discipline or confidence, 20 said they were more fit or active, and 2 mentioned having more respect for police officers or the law. In the Camp Courage pre-survey, 74.1% of participants reported that they strongly agreed or agreed that 'the police trust kids like me.' In the post-survey, 85.3% of participants reported that they strongly agreed or agreed with the same statement. In the pre-survey, 93.5% of participants reported that they strongly agreed or agreed with the statement, 'I should respect police officers.' In the post-survey, 96.0% of participants reported that they strongly agreed or agreed with the same statement. While a slightly higher percentage of participants reported that they strongly agreed or agreed with the statement, 'I trust police officers in my area,' post-program (86.7%) as compared with pre-program (85.7%), the percentage that disagreed or strongly disagreed increased from 1.3% to 5.4%. For the Girls Health Mentorship, 46% of girls reported that they respected themselves a lot, and 54% reported that they didn't know if they respected themselves. After eating meals, 64% did not feel guilty and 36% did not know, 100% thought it was a big deal to smoke cigarettes, 64% were happy with how they looked and felt, 27% did
not know, and 9% were unhappy. All the female participants reported that PAL activities were very important or important in their lives.