HPAL was founded in Boyle Heights, just east of downtown Los Angeles, in 1992 through the efforts of the LAPD-Hollenbeck Police Station and community residents to implement after-school activities for high-risk youth in response to the increase in juvenile crime. HPAL started small, with two officers running sports programs, but everything changed in 1999 when Officer Glenda Brooks joined the team. Around the same time, Brooks met Lorraine Garcia, a nonprofit veteran with ambitious ideas. ... Read More
HPAL was founded in Boyle Heights, just east of downtown Los Angeles, in 1992 through the efforts of the LAPD-Hollenbeck Police Station and community residents to implement after-school activities for high-risk youth in response to the increase in juvenile crime. HPAL started small, with two officers running sports programs, but everything changed in 1999 when Officer Glenda Brooks joined the team. Around the same time, Brooks met Lorraine Garcia, a nonprofit veteran with ambitious ideas. Together, they transformed HPAL from a simple sports program into something much more comprehensive by developing services that address juvenile delinquency prevention. In 2003, HPAL obtained its 501(c)(3) status and relocated to its permanent facility, situated adjacent to and as part of the Hollenbeck Police Station complex, in 2009. In addition to its main facility, HPAL has five community partner program sites, including Hollenbeck Police Station, the Tech Lab at Boyle Heights City Hall, two local high schools, and selected nonprofit organizations.
For over two decades, HPAL has opened its doors to all youth, regardless of ethnic background, economic status, sexual orientation, or identity, to create positive life changes. Each year, HPAL works with more than 800 young people and 200 parents through four main programs, including: (1) Diversion/Prevention Program (DPP): Established in 2004, DPP helps youth stay on a positive path, avoid the juvenile justice system, and assists parents in becoming better advocates and support systems for their children and families; (2) PAL-UP Career Awareness Program: Established in 2019, PAL-UP creates a resource network for high school students to (a) acquire knowledge and explore pathways to occupational careers and trades; (b) learn about the necessary education required to enroll in trade schools and skill centers; (c) develop work-readiness skills; and (d) connect with vocational education/trade professionals; (3) Life Camera Action, created in 2009: a technology-based leadership development program providing high school students access to technology, digital media, and storytelling to explore personal and community issues; and (4) Sports4Kids, started in 2002, teaches girls and boys the importance of fitness and sportsmanship, enhances their self-confidence, self-esteem, and social skills, and motivates them to excel beyond the playing field. 100% of HPAL youth and families are low-income and underserved; 98% are Latinx.
What makes HPAL special isn't just what we do – it's how we do it! Every HPAL program, whether helping a student learn to tell a story through film or kick a soccer ball, focuses on the same aspect: building confidence, teaching leadership, and showing young people that they can make something of themselves. In Boyle Heights, HPAL isn't just a program – it's proof that when police and community work together, great things happen!
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