Pasadena Police Activities League Receives $5,500 Grant from Local Real Estate Company

The Pasadena Police Activities League, known as PAL, has been awarded a grant of $5,500 by The Berns Team, a Pasadena-based real estate company.

The Berns Team has a history of philanthropy, having awarded over $1 million to local and global charitable organizations since 2019. Their support of local nonprofits reflects their motto, “All About Relationships”.

The award was announced at the 2nd Annual Berns Team Fall Festival Giving Back Celebration on Sunday, Nov. 19, in La Cañnada Flintridge.

This year’s event brought together nonprofit organizations, executive directors, civic officials, community partners, and sponsors to celebrate and showcase the impact of The Berns Team’s grants on youth-centered physical, mental, and educational needs.

A total of 84 deserving organizations were nominated for the grants, with the top 21 nonprofits invited to the celebration where the final grant amounts were announced. Each of the top nonprofits received a minimum of $1,500.

Pasadena PAL, a year-round juvenile crime prevention program that fosters positive relationships between police officers and the youth in the community through educational, athletic, and other recreational activities, was announced as the $5,000 awardee for 2023. An additional $500 was contributed by event attendees, bringing the grand total to $5,500.

PAL partners with the Salvation Army Pasadena Tabernacle and other organizations to offer various programs that give each member an opportunity to learn new and exciting things as well as make new friends. The program admits youth from 9 to 17 and offers homework assistance, various sports, and a wide variety of different activities where each member is given an opportunity to build character and become a productive citizen. 

PAL members pay a $40 membership fee which includes breakfast and lunch during the summer and snack after school during the school year, mentoring and tutoring, conferences with parents and teachers, transportation from school to the center, and little to no out-of-pocket cost for field trips the program offers.

The Pasadena PAL program’s ultimate goal, stated on its website, is to bring together “Cops and Kids” in an effort to reach the most “at-risk” youth that may not have the resources or opportunity to participate in any other programs.

The grant funds will directly benefit dozens of youth in the Pasadena area, said a PAL statement.