Learn straight from the mentors and mentees themselves what PAL’s weekly mentoring program is all about.

And join is Saturday, April 21, from 2-4 PM as PAL hosts National Mentoring Day.

From Executive Director Ofc. Art Martineau:

“I sit on the Board of the Miami-Dade Youth Action Committee “YAC” our board  oversees the Teen Court Program. Teen Court is a program for first time juvenile offenders that have committed misdemeanor crimes also students can volunteer to be part of the program and receive community service hours.  The Defendant can elect to go through the Juvenile Justice System or the Teen Court Program. The benefit of the Teen Court Program is, the juvenile is not placed in the system. The prosecutor, defense attorney, jury, and bailiff, are all student volunteers. We are working with the JJC and the Clerk of the Courts to bring the Teen Court Program to the City of Miami Beach. The photos are kids from our PAL’s “Another Chance Program” attending a Teen Court Trial at Hialeah City Hall. Also if  convicted the Defendant’s punishment is set by his peers which include mandatory community service hours and a 250-500 word apology letters to the victim’s of the crime and to the parents of the Defendant.”

Boat Show regulars knew where to find a good deal for a hamburger during the event weekend – at the longstanding PAL trailer. PAL has annually sold hamburgers and hot dogs across the street of the convention center to hungry boat show attendees, as a fundraiser for the programs. Pictured are PAL kids that manned the concession stand.

One of PAL's founders, Howie Gross, with Executive Director Art Martineau

I would like to thank Glenn Costales, “JR” from Tremont, Karla Silvagni, Colin Pfrogner for coming out and supporting the PAL. The crowd was very impressed with our programs and what we are doing in the community. They were very receptive towards PAL and several people asked how can they get involved in our organization.

The Miami Beach PAL YDC/Mentoring group and Police Explorers assisted the Police Department with toy distribution to over 500 underprivileged children for the holidays, along with a cookie, hamburger and milk.

Miami Beach PAL’s Mentoring Program was featured as “Best Practices” in a recent meeting held in Seattle, Washington.  Lori Freedline, Mentor Coordinator, was asked to address a few hundred fellow coordinators representing PALs from all over the United States and Virgin Islands.