Police Activities League of Portland (PAL) Takes At-Risk Kids to the Oregon Coast Aquarium

By Cindy Hanson

Newport, OR - A group of at risk youths from the Police Activities League of Portland (PAL) visited the Oregon Coast Aquarium for the first time last Friday, and for some, it was the first time they had ever seen the ocean. “Before arriving at the Aquarium, some of the smaller children were asking, ‘what is in an aquarium?’ They truly had no idea what was in store,” said Cara Sweeney, Recruitment Coordinator for the Portland Police Bureau, who also works closely with PAL.

The children reacted with astonishment at their first glimpse of the ocean and the Aquarium. "It was amazing! We all slept together in the third tunnel," said Molalla PAL member Codi Mae Edwards. "This was the first time Edwin ever got to sleep in a sleeping bag," said Janet, a young PAL member from Portland. “I loved being in the Aquarium at night with no one else except our PAL kids,” said Maura K. White, PAL President & CEO.

“The children were in awe as they watched the seals interact with the keepers and several of them flourished during the classroom portion,” said Sweeney. “They really enjoyed the pizza dinner as well - many of the kids went back for seconds and thirds because sometimes they don't have enough to eat during the day. Several of the chaperones from PAL told me they would never be able to afford something like this and that the children were so excited to visit the beach for the first time- see the Aquarium and sand,” said Sweeney.

Some of the children at the sleepover were ZMan scholarship recipients, who are also underprivileged, but have worked hard in school and won a scholarship to a private school. “They are setting an example for the younger kids that going to college and working hard in school is achievable, regardless of your home life,” said Sweeney.

The idea for the PAL sleepover came from Rick Goulette, Aquarium Chief Financial Officer. The costs for the sleepover and meals for the children were covered by a number of individuals in the local community. “Rick came up with the idea of using the sleepover to help both PAL and the ZMan Scholarship Foundation,” said Sweeney. “Thanks to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, the Portland Police Bureau was able to help deserving children who have never been to the beach before.”

The Police Activities League of Portland (PAL) is a non-profit organization that provides educational, recreational, and athletic programs to the youth of the Portland-Gresham area with an emphasis on "disadvantaged" youth. PAL strives to connect law enforcement and youth in a positive way. PAL utilizes athletics as well as recreational and educational activities to instill positive life principles and character building tools in an effort to deter juvenile crime and violence.

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational attraction dedicated to the highest quality aquatic and marine science programs for recreation and education so the public better understands, cherishes, and conserves the world’s natural marine and coastal resources. For more information, visit the Aquarium’s Web site at www.aquarium.org or call (541) 867-FISH.

Photo Captions: PAL Kids-2: James Jones, a ZMan Scholarship recipient, enjoys meeting a sea star at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. PAL Kids-1: A group of at risk youths from the Police Activities League of Portland (PAL) visited the Oregon Coast Aquarium for the first time last Friday, and for some, it was the first time they had ever seen the ocean. Courtesy Photos

To view Oregon Coast Aquarium's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-9-Oregon_Coast_Aquarium