Our Mission

 

  • The Thurston County Police Athletic League is a juvenile crime prevention and intervention program. The program is designed to provide inner city youth and other underserved young boys and girls with a highly structured, therapeutic, and educational life skills program to enhance their understanding of individual reliability, accountability, and responsibility.

    With an estimated 205,000 youth living in this area (12% living below the poverty level), the need is great for support like that which we provide.

  • Athletic Component:

    The therapeutic value of boxing is both intrinsic and extrinsic. The highly structured daily vigorous regime and routine builds neuromuscular development. Neuromuscular development means the ability of the body to perform the right action at the right time. Boxing develops highly trained nervous system, cable of instant reflexive action, and instills self-confidence and self-reliance. Boxing is also a Martial Art and a positive outlet for physically aggressive youth. Boxing teaches timing, strategy, discipline, and self-reliance – all of which translate to improved self-esteem and, as a result, better life choices.

    Academic & Social Services Component:

    While the organization’s primary focus is rigorous athletic training, its secondary focus on a base level of academic performance and respectful behavior outside the gym ensures that our participants become not only strong self-reliant athletes , but active contributors to our local community. Our affiliation with local law enforcement agencies allows the organization and our participants to interact with local businesses, colleges, clubs, faith-based organizations, schools, and military entities to address the numerous social issues impacting today’s youth and families in our area.

  • The organization has existed in principle since 1984 and has served over 1,500 individuals, some of whom have gone on to pursue professional boxing careers and others who are currently seeking advanced academic degrees.

    The Olympia and Lacey Police Departments, and The Thurston County Sherriff’s Department endorsed the Thurston County PAL program in May 2006.

    The Thurston County chapter of PAL began official operations in 2007.

    Lacking a suitable training facility and not wanting to give up on the program, Coach Lydell Spry donated his home’s garage as a temporary training facility.

    In the summer of 2009, a vacant warehouse space was donated

    to the organization.

  • The Thurston County PAL is the only PAL chapter between King County and Portland, Oregon. It is a nonprofit, charitable organization, and we have our 501-C3 status.

    Thurston County PAL, Board, staff and key volunteers are currently working with a team of non-profit professionals to develop and implement a sustainable business plan, building our fundraising plan, actively soliciting support from local businesses and individuals, and submitting grants to public and private foundations.

  • Today, we are actively seeking support to relocate to a new facility, improve and purchase new gear, and support the expanding aspects of our program.

    The Thurston County Police Athletic League needs your active support in order to establish and help build stronger, safer communities in our county!