HEMPSTEAD POLICE ACTIVITIES LEAGUE
The P.A.L. Board Members
The 2009-2011 PAL Board Members are as follows:
Board President, Sean Hamilton, Detective with the Village of Hempstead Police Department. Detective Hamilton is a Biddy/Junior/Senior Basketball Coach, as well as one of our many Bowling Coaches. He was quite helpful in the completion of the PAL building located in the rear of 5 Martin Luther king Drive, and has served on the Board for two years, one year as Honorary, and the next as Vice President. He makes a difference.
Vice President, - Mynita Atkinson, has been with the Board for over five years, during this time she continues to be a great asset to the PAL board, and a great friend. Mrs. Atkinson is a Bowling Coach, and always has great conversation. Ms. Atkinson served as the Treasurer for two years.
Treasurer, Jamie Johnson, has returned for two more years. Mrs. Johnson was formerly on the board from 2000-2005, and had to leave due to work related reasons. Mrs. Johnson is one of our great Bowling Coaches, and a Supervisor with Nassau County Drug and Alcohol. She also last served as the Board Secretary
Secretary, Tracy Worthy- One of our new members on the board. She brings a lot to the plate, as she attends all of our events, and is always so willing to lend a hand.
Parliamentarian, Dawn Petty- Is one of our parents who takes timeout from her busy work schedule as a Registered Nurse to assist the Biddy/Junior Basketball Season with her nursing skills. Much appreciated!!! Served fours years as an Executive Trustee.
Executive Trustees:
Iesha Brown- A new member, and a wonderful mother of two, always on hand to help, and bring new materials to PAL. After a busy day at TDK, Mrs. Brown is ready to jump into action for the road trips.
Gina Dickens- Also, a new member to PAL , and an Executive with Verizon, we look forward to working with Mrs. Dickens. Mrs. Dickens has been involved with other Village Of Hempstead Organizations, and has experience.
Deb Furby, our former treasurer and member for 14 years has taken on the task of making sure our meetings run smooth, and we all follow rules and regulations. The right woman for the job !!!
Honorary Members:
Albert Balsamo, founder of PAL, established in 1990. Retired from the Hempstead Police Department.
Beverly Robinson, formerly our Board Secretary, and News reporter. She will continue to write for the PAL Board in her spare time.
Caroline Santos- Great, comes to mind when you say her name. A wonderful Elementary School Teacher at Franklin Street School in Hempstead, and a really great Chairperson.
Director: Jacqueline Jones-Ford, Detective with the Hempstead Village Police Department. Kicking it into high gear!!!
Board Member Elections - Open to the parents of PAL participants are held every two years during the month of March (nominations) and April (elections). Anyone interested in becoming a board member please contact the PAL office in early February to learn more about the programs and procedures.
MISSION STATEMENT OF THE HEMPSTEAD VILLAGE P.A.L.
The Mission of the Hempstead P.A.L. is to provide youth who reside in the Incorporated Village of Hempstead, and the immediate surrounding communities between the ages of 5 to 18 with educational, recreational, cultural, and social programs. Providing the necessary organization, volunteers, and staff to accomplish this mission.
The primary purpose of the P.A.L. will be to create relationships between the youth and the police officers, which serve the community. The objective will be to prevent juvenile delinquency, drug use/ involvement, alcohol, gang resistance, and other social ills by fostering attitudes of good character, citizenship, and sportsmanship.
The success of the P.A.L. will depend upon the generosity of individuals, and corporate donations, and various fund-raising events. Assistance maybe provided through contributions of services, materials, and facilities. The Hempstead P.A.L. will also cooperate with other agencies that serve the youth of Hempstead.
The Village of PAL was informed some time ago in October 2006 to be exact, that P.A.L. would have its own building. Well we kept our fingers crossed, but it looks like things did not go our way this time. That's o.k., maybe sometime in the future. We do currently have a small building located in the rear of 5 Martin Luther King Drive, Hempstead. We are fortunate enough to host family night, children's parties, computers, Nassau County Girl Scouts, Dance School, summer camp, karate and so much more.
If you know of anyone who would like to donate a building to the PAL please call us right away. We could really use a bigger space, for classrooms.
Thanks!
To George Sandas, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, for his continued support, in allowing the PAL over the last 18 years to use Kennedy Memorial Park. As many people are not aware there is only one indoor facility in Hempstead for recreational use. Currently many organizations use this one facility, making things difficult for Village run organizations to operate like Hempstead PAL (18), Arthur Morrison Senior Basketball League (11), The Village Basketball League (10), and the SAL (15).
We will continue to work together to benefit our youth. We must also give a special thank you to Ruth Roberson, and Arthur Morrison for all of the assistance while using the park facility.
**numbers in ( ) are the years the organization has been in operation.
Thanks, to all youth participants, parents and family that joined the PAL in the Annual Hempstead Village Memorial Day Parade. Our group had nearly 70 parents and youth. This is a great showing, considering the time of day the fact youth groups are in the rear, and the distance for little feet. Memorial Day is about SOLDIERS who gave their lives for this Country we call home. Our parades are for the youth to recognize and honor the FALLEN SOLDIERS. I sincerely thank all of my coaches and teachers who also came out to represent our Organization during this event. We'll have more people next year and stand directly behind the Village Police Department. (SMILE)
Our P.A.L. offers to boys and girls, for a small or no registration fees the following:
Dance (Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, Acrobatics, Ethnic, Point, Ballet) for ages 5 to 18, September to June.
Indoor Floor Hockey ages 7-14, April to July.
Kung Fu for ages 5 and up, year round. (NO LONGER)
Girls Lacrosse indoor ages 12-17, January and February only.
Cheer-leading ages 7 to 15, October to February.
Golf ages 8 to 14, June to July. (NO LONGER)
Karate ages 5 to 18, year round.
Junior and Biddy Basketball ages 7 to 12, October to February.
Travel Basketball ages 7 to 12. December to August.
Senior Basketball ages 13 to 16, April to June.
Basketball Clinic ages 7-12, April to June.
Bowling ages 5 and up, year round.
Ski Trip- January open to age 9 (with adult) and up. New Jersey.
Track and Field ages 6 and up. Early April.
Track Indoor ages 12 and up, late November.
Travel League Track and Field ages 5 to 18, late July.
Tennis ages 8-15 ( Work in Progress )
Transitional Summer Camp/Forensics 5th graders going to 6th grade at ABGS Middle School.
Forensics in the Classroom offered to all ABGS Middle School students. 21st Century Community Learning Grant
Women Self-Defense Course adult course offered in March. One day event.
Water Park Trip, July or August ages 10 (with adult) and up. New Jersey.
For the adults we offer Coaches Clinics, Ethnic Dance, and Women's Self Defense. We do encourage our parents to participate with their children and get involved as a volunteer. We are currently looking into an afternoon homework study session, and a Saturday Computer workshop which will be held in the P.A.L. building. The building is located on Martin Luther King Drive in the rear of 201 South Franklin Street/ rear of 5 Martin Luther King Drive.
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About Detective Jacqueline Jones-Ford
A former New York City Housing Police Officer, she has served on the Hempstead Village Police Department for a little over twelve years. Detective Jones-Ford has been fortunate enough to work in many Law Enforcement areas, such as a Community Policing for six years, Co-Coordinator of the Civilian Police Academy, creator of "Tips for safe ocntact with your local Police", Certified Instructor in the Department, a Womens Self-Defense Certified Instructor, she has also conducted wire tap surveillances, and worked as an undercover.
Detective Jones-Ford is a proud product of Hempstead, and the recipient of many awards throughout her career, for community service. She continues to give back to the place with so many of her childhood memories. However, she is most proud of her four year old son, who happens to be her "Mini Me" and her heart.
Detective Jones-Ford is the Director for the Hempstead P.A.L. in which she continues to create many new programs, teach children self-esteem, and character building. She is looking forward to the Hempstead theme from Don Ryan of the Salvation Army to "carry the book and the ball". She has also joined forces with the creator, Bryan Jones of "THERE'S ONLY ONE HEMPSTEAD" to stop the violence.
So look forward to an exciting journey with Detective Jones-Ford and the P.A.L. and remember "Mentor- share what you know, it will help another person grow".
