OXNARD – On the heels of the 3rd Annual K-12 Resource Fair with Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, Oxnard PAL is expanding their Back to School Outreach programs to the Southwinds Neighborhood; the soon-to-be location of a new Oxnard PAL Chapter is set to officially open in late September. The Oxnard Police Activities League Inc., the non-profit fundraising board for the PAL program, has received a $36,000 grant from the National Police Athletic/Activities League to provide outreach and crime prevention programs to the youth in the Southwinds Neighborhood and has partnered with Haycox Elementary School for this special program.
“We believe it is vital to make sure all children have access to the tools that help them succeed, this program is allowing us the opportunity to ensure these children start the school year on a high note” said Scott Whitney, Oxnard Chief of Police. “What is just as important though is providing parents with the information for the new PAL Chapter at Southwinds, which will provide a fun and safe environment for their children after school at no cost to the families.”
The City of Oxnard is committed to expanding their successful PAL Program to the residents in South Oxnard. This Back to School Outreach is set to deliver a backpack with start-up school supplies for every student enrolled at Haycox Elementary totaling 1,100 backpacks in this one event. Oxnard PAL has already given out 500 backpacks to children Kindergarten through 6th grade at the 3rd Annual Resource Fair that was held August 12 at the PAL Gym; bringing the total backpack outreach to 1,600 backpacks this year.
“The City of Oxnard’s PAL program has been committed to serving youth for over 23 years” said Timothy Flynn, Oxnard’s Mayor. “We are excited for this expansion and look forward to working with our Police Officers to new programs to the youth of the area.”
The Oxnard Police Activities League (PAL) is a city-wide, after-school crime prevention program which provides outreach to local youth, ages 7 to 18, to build positive relationships between youth, police officers and the community. Oxnard PAL organizes recreational, educational, enrichment and nutrition programs all without cost to participants. PAL activities seek to foster a bond of mutual trust and understanding between police officers and young people by enabling them to interact in a non-confrontational setting. Programs are offered with an emphasis placed on reaching those considered to be “at-risk.”
This special program runs from Wednesday August 23 to Friday August 25 for students enrolled at Haycox Elementary School during their class roster viewings for the 2017-18 school year.
The event was hosted by Haycox Elementary School, 5400 Perkins Road in Oxnard.
Oxnard PAL’s website: http://oxnardpal.org