Police Activities League (PAL) of Southwest Washington announces it is expanding their literacy program in Clark County with generous support from North Star Restaurants Inc. and Wellpoint Washington.
Police Activities League (PAL) of Southwest Washington started their Literacy Program over 20 years ago in Clark County and the program has only continued to grow since.
This program initially began with PAL in partnership with Vancouver Police Department, to build positive relationships between youth and law enforcement by promoting literacy at local elementary schools.
Three to four times a month, law enforcement officers from some of their 8 partner agencies visit a pre-selected school and read with students for the PAL Literacy program. During the event officers show off their police vehicles, let the kids meet their police dogs, demonstrate use of other special tools, and talk to them about the importance of being safe in their community, the event serves as an opportunity to promote positive relationships between youth and law enforcement while promoting literacy at the same time. Each student that attends a PAL literacy event also receives a brand-new book of their choice to take home.
In 2023, PAL held 28 literacy events and distributed over 2,500 books to youth. In 2024, the PAL Literacy Program is aiming to serve 30+ elementary schools across Clark County and is well on track to hit that number.
Additionally, this program is intentionally targeted at second graders with the hope that by the time they reach 3rd grade (the first year of state testing) they have gained enough knowledge to pass standardized English Language Arts (ELA) tests required for federal and state accountability. These tests continue through grade school and ultimately help aim to excel students through graduation.
This year, the Police Activities League (PAL) of Southwest Washington has teamed up with North Star Restaurants Inc. and Wellpoint, WA to support PAL’s growing Literacy Program.
Wellpoint believes focusing on the whole person is the foundation to living well because health is beyond physical - it’s recognizing the behavioral and social drivers that impact it, too.
"Wellpoint recognizes the significant impact of early reading on physical and mental health, so we have channeled our deep-rooted community commitment into supporting PAL's literacy initiative," said Lisa Bogard, President of Wellpoint Washington. “Through our collaborative efforts, we can expand the program's reach, make books more accessible to children, and promote healthier, better and more prosperous futures."
North Star Restaurants Inc. is owned and operated by Vancouver locals Matt and Val Hadwin and is comprised of 20 McDonald’s franchises throughout Western Washington. Their mission is to help as many students as possible in our communities, reach their fullest potential. One of three distinct areas they support through their Archways to Opportunity program is education. Similarly, to the PAL Literacy Program, Archways to Opportunity helps McDonald’s Crew Members reach their career goals through education advancement.
"We are thrilled to be partnering with PAL - an invaluable organization that does incredible work for our schools," said Val Hadwin, Owner Operator of North Star Restaurants Inc. "Literacy among kids is important now more than ever. That's why programs like PAL and our own "Archways to Opportunity" program are so crucial these days. They exist to help students throughout Clark County reach their highest potential."
All PAL programs are funded through donations, not local government funding. “The contributions from local champions like North Star Restaurants Inc, and Wellpoint, WA allow PAL to achieve our mission of promoting positive relationships between youth and law enforcement”, Said PAL Executive Director Jesse Jimenez. “With their support, we are excited to continue to expand this program to serve more schools in Clark County”.
PAL MISSION: The Police Activities League of Southwest Washington is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting positive relationships between law enforcement officers and the youth through a broad range of educational programs and recreational opportunities.
For more information about PAL of Southwest Washington and its programs, please visit: https://palofswwa.org