Who Are The Berkeley Boosters?
The Berkeley Boosters / Police Activities League is a
non-profit organization that works with the Berkeley
Police Department to promote positive alternatives for
Berkeley’s children.
We believe in our youth.
The Berkeley Boosters / Police Activities League was
founded in 1983, in response to the Chief of Police’s
appeal for help in dealing with the problems that
existed at that time between the Police Department and
our youth.
Since 1983, we have worked with over 9,000
low-income, at-risk young people, helping them discover
their own unique gifts and talents and directing them in
applying those skills towards making positive
contributions to our community.
The Berkeley Boosters / Police Activities League
builds bridges of trust and understanding between
disparate groups; bringing together youth and police,
different ethnic groups, bridging inter-generational
gaps, etc. Our goal is to stress the commonalities of
the human condition and the need to work well with all
peoples in order for a team, a project, or a society to
succeed.
Our program was founded on the concept that proactive
mentoring from concerned adult role models is the most
effective method for preventing juvenile crime and helping
direct young lives in positive directions. We
serve
as an important link between police officers and the young
people in our community. We bring Cops and Kids together in a
wide variety of activities. By working side by side with
officers and other young people from diverse backgrounds, many
disadvantaged children learn, both physically and mentally,
that they can succeed in ways previously unthought of. They
also learn that the police are really their friends- willing
to give their time and energy to show they care. That is what
makes the "Boosters" programs so unique!
