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Mentorship and sports: Detroit PAL’s strategy to break the cycle of violence

 

DETROIT – The Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL) serves more than 9,000 youth across the city, but CEO Fred Hunter sees potential to reach many more amid rising concerns about youth violence.

Recent Detroit Police Department data shows a 33% increase in young victims of gun violence compared to the same period last year. Cases involving people under 17 caught with guns have risen nearly 20%.

“The data shows crimes are happening at younger ages. We’re seeing 11-year-olds to 17-year-olds who don’t have positive activities to be involved with out there committing crimes,” Hunter said.

Youth Development Beyond Sports

While known for its 12 sports programs, Detroit PAL focuses on comprehensive youth development through enrichment, leadership and academic initiatives. The organization operates in 120 locations throughout Detroit, deliberately positioning programs where they can reach the most vulnerable youth.

“Sports is a vehicle we use to uplift young people and help them find what we call their greatness on the inside,” Hunter said.

Research identifies the hours between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. as peak times for youth crime, Hunter said. Detroit PAL strategically schedules activities during these crucial after-school hours.

For 15-year-old Elijah Willis, a sophomore at Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School, PAL provides more than just athletic opportunities.

“You can just relieve that stress not being around violence or gun violence,” Willis said. “Coming out to PAL, being around other kids and people like Sergeant George and the coaches – it’s more like a brotherhood.”

Breaking the Cycle Through Mentorship

Sgt. Bryant George understands firsthand the impact of positive mentorship. As a former PAL participant who grew up on Detroit’s west side, he now works in youth development for the organization.

“Every single day, I had to make a choice – do you stay on this really good path in life, or do you choose these negative choices?” George said.

This summer, Detroit PAL partnered with community violence intervention groups to launch a youth basketball league, bringing together kids from different neighborhoods.

“Through this basketball league, we’ve seen kids come together. They start praying together, using the same chant. They want to see each other next week,” George said.

Expanding Access

Despite serving thousands, Detroit PAL faces a significant challenge: reaching more of the city’s 120,000 youth. Research indicates nearly two out of three children in Michigan lack access to similar programs.

To keep programs accessible, PAL maintains low participation costs. Baseball programs cost $60, including uniforms and referee expenses. The organization also offers free programs to eliminate financial barriers.

“We need to do that because we’re in Detroit. It’s the reality of the economics of the children we want to serve,” Hunter said. “Otherwise, we’re pricing out the very kids we want to help.”

Looking Forward

Detroit PAL aims to expand its impact through additional partnerships with the city, police department and community violence intervention groups.

“It’s no longer just allowing kids to play in sports leagues. It’s really about diving in, supporting these families, creating a village around them, building them up with morals and values,” George said.

The organization’s approach combines immediate intervention with long-term development, recognizing that winning over youth from street life requires sustained effort.

For kids like Willis, the message is clear: “The streets are not it. Stay in that sport, try to make it out.”

 

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