JCPAL Honors The Future with Youth Empowerment Gala

As summer draws to a close and kids go back to school, one Jersey City organization reminded the community of one of its most important pillars- its youth. The Jersey City Police Athletic League (JCPAL) has long been a haven for Jersey City kids to not only have fun and interact with others who come from their community, but also to learn about leadership, integrity, and respect through sport and exploration. Earlier this month, JCPAL organized their own gala to honor these efforts and the real stars.

According to their website, JCPAL has been at the forefront of youth activism in Jersey City since 1978, ensuring that there can always be an environment where kids of all ages and backgrounds can safely play and grow with others. Many may recognize them for their girl scout, summer camp, and tutoring programs. On August 3rd, JCPAL made the future of the community the stars with their first Youth Empowerment Gala.

After a sequence of speeches and acknowledgments, JCPAL youth received the organization’s Educational Achievement Award. The youth, organizers, their families, and community figures dressed not just to impress but to represent that sense of plenty that nonprofits like JCPAL give to the leaders of tomorrow.

“The right team is in the room right now,” said JCPAL organizer Elvis Foster. Along with his wife Myesha, the Fosters have been the first civilians to lead the nonprofit since its founding. Both have been active with the youth and daycare management. According to them, the community and youth always come first. Myesha once noted that her experiences at and working in daycares were never a true testament to what the kids deserved. The Foster’s children, Erin, Emory, and En’Zoe are also enrolled and active within JCPAL.

Numerous parents present were themselves also once active youth in JCPAL when under police leadership. Yet, despite the often strained relationship communities may have with the police, many voiced how JCPAL always exercised an atmosphere of safety.

Yvonne Harvey Williams, a Paterson native based out of Atlanta, traveled back to New Jersey to speak at the gala. In her words, JCPAL has always been something special. She knew that it was perfect for her son.

“The police were being part of the community as peace officers, being able to integrate within the community but not in a fearful way where it was apprehensive. They were there because they loved the children. I was just happy to find an organization that I knew my baby was safe in,” Williams stated. She attributes the values of integrity and limitlessness built in her son, Marvelous, now a police officer, to the efforts of JCPAL.

Also in attendance was NJ State Senator Angela McKnight who also spoke to the audience. Donating a $200 check to JCPAL, she mirrored the efforts of the organization to her legislative efforts to bring financial literacy to schools. The Senator also reminded the audience of achievers that how you start doesn’t matter, what matters is how you continue and finish.

What appears to live on within JCPAL is the continued trust in what community is, can be, and should be. One former youth of JCPAL, Rashim, was present with his wife Naisha to celebrate their daughter Taliya’s moment. According to him, JCPAL was simply not as widespread as it should have been in the past. However, he encourages other parents to enroll their children.

Support was even present from others in the community. Sag, Michelle, and Ryan from Fait Maison Tattoo and Hair Salon were awarded JCPAL’s Community Impact Award for their recognition of donating a truck of toys just three days before Christmas. For Jersey City native Sag, the willingness to give back came from something simple but meaningful,

“We’re from Jersey City, we wanted to give back.”

In that spirit, the Fosters still point out the much needed resources JCPAL needs to enhance the organization’s mission and reach. The beginnings of which, like most grassroots organizations, starts at home.

“We need support. We need money, manpower, we need empathy, we need resources. We’re trying to make an impact in the whole community. It’s about catering to our youth,” Elvis said.

“I just want everyone to flourish and to take care of my city.”