Michelle Byfield is a PAL Alumni who enlisted in the US Marine Corps and works as a radio operator stationed in San Diego, California. Michelle was 12 years old and living in the Bronx when she joined PAL. She spent time at PAL’s New South Bronx Center where she enjoyed PAL’s outdoor adventure and karate programs and benefitted from homework help. “I had the chance to go rock climbing and kayaking. As a kid from the Bronx, these opportunities didn’t come around every day,” says Michelle. She also developed her skills in karate, earning a second degree black belt and the nickname, “Karate Girl.” As a teenager, Michelle was employed by PAL as a summer youth worker and participant in its In-School Training and Employment Program. “If I didn’t have PAL, I would have been sitting around at home doing nothing.” Michelle credits PAL for helping to keep her off the streets where kids she knew ended up selling drugs, doing drugs, locked up or dead. Today, she’s proud to be a member of the military, a job that has taken her around the world. Whenever she returns to the New South Bronx Center, Michelle tells the young people that there’s more to life then hanging out on the street corner.

Teron was proud to represent PAL at Madison Square Garden in 2002, the first time he won the Golden Gloves. He also had the opportunity to attend a national boxing tournament and meet other PAL youngsters from across the country. He feels that PAL has given him so much and that young people should take advantage of everything the organization has to offer.

“The great thing about PAL is the family atmosphere. I’ve built relationships with the people I’ve met through PAL that I still have today. Anytime there’s an event at the Webster Center, I try to participate and meet with the young people to let them know how important PAL is to me.”

As a professional boxer, Teron is currently undefeated with a record of 14-0 with one draw and nine knockouts. He trains six days a week at Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn. Teron is a graduate of JFK High School.

Rick Schroder is a PAL Alumni who became an actor of film and television. Rick currently stars on the FOX show 24. Recently, he has writen and directed the film Black Cloud in which he also stars. A native of Staten Island, Rick participated in PAL programs as a kid and continues to help PAL today by taking part in PAL’s Youth Forum and the Special Olympics.

Brian Mullen is a PAL Alumni who became a national league hockey player and radio analyst for the MSG Networks. He grew up in Hell’s Kitchen. Brian was a PAL kid at the Duncan Center from the ages of 8 to 16, and then an assistant counselor. It was at the Duncan Center when he first put on roller skates, grabbed a hockey stick and never put it down. Brian and his older brother, Joe, became the highest-scoring United States-born brother pair in the history of the National Hockey League.

“PAL gave me endless opportunities and I took advantage of all of them,” says Brian Mullen. With a tone of respect he adds, “The staff and counselors were a good influence on me. I truly believe that PAL helps children take the right path in life. PAL youngsters should stay in the program as long as possible, because it’s the best thing for them.”

Carol Otto is a PAL Alumni who became a New York City Police Officer working with youth services in the Bronx. She was a PAL kid at summer programs in the Bronx from ages 10 to 18 and worked summers for PAL while attending college.

“Being on playstreets with PAL Community Affairs Officers inspired me in my career. These police officers were committed to children, helped me with summer jobs…and were very caring people. My goal was to be exactly like them and now I am,” says Ms. Otto. Today she makes presentations to 800 young people through the police initiatives, DARE, Drug Abuse Resistance Education, and GREAT, Gang Resistance Education and Training. “I will never forget what the PAL Liaison Officers meant to me, and I hope to share this same commitment with kids in my classes.”

Dominic Carter is a PAL Alumni who works as Senior Political Reporter and Anchorman for New York 1 News. He was 9 years old when he found the Webster Center. As an only child being raised by his grandmother, Dominic quickly adopted PAL as his extended family.

“I can truly say that PAL is the reason I am on television today,” says Mr. Carter. His first exposure came on a PAL field trip to the taping of a children’s show. He adds, “Some of my fondest memories are of field trips, my little green PAL bag and t-shirt, having lunch everyday and learning how to play basketball from former pro players.” Today Mr. Carter tells teenagers what he learned as a PAL kid: “Make sure you stay in school, believe in yourself and work hard and stay with PAL.”

Nicky McCrimmon is a PAL Alumni who plays professional basketball as a guard with the Los Angeles Sparks and works as a substitute teacher in off-season. She learned basketball at PAL’s Phipps Center on 123rd Street, which was a safe place to play, and off the streets.

Ms. McCrimmon says “Mr. McGee at the Phipps Center made me play basketball with the guys because the girls were not interested. He challenged me and I worked hard to hold my own. I had to be faster, aggressive and play my best at all times. When I finally played with girls, I quickly became one of the best players.” Today, she visits Harlem often and tells kids that they “need a safe haven like PAL to go to and become strong individuals. At PAL, kids realize there are different paths they can take and there is a lot more out there beyond the nearest street corner.”`

David Ryder is a PAL Alumni who works as a bus operator for the New York City Transit Authority. David went to the Phipps Center in Harlem when he was 8 years old and has literally never left. Even his bus driving duties do not deter him for his part-time work at PAL’s New Harlem Center as a program aide.

“PAL can help you find the answers to the tough questions in life,” says Mr. Ryder. He learned about the world of work, the responsibilities of having a family, and how to look to the future. “At PAL the people you meet are so important. You can listen and learn from these people because everyone at PAL taught me something…especially to stand tall and hold my head up high”.

Judge Luis A. Gonzalez is a PAL Alumni and Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, First Department. He is one of only a few Latinos to serve in New York’s Appellate Court system.

Judge Gonzalez was raised in Hell’s Kitchen and spent 10 years at the Duncan Center during the 1950s when street gang violence and drugs were the norm. He maintains, “PAL was right there in the middle of this bad situation offering help and direction. You could tell the PAL staff enjoyed working with children. They were committed and dedicated. As a child, you could feel this positive energy coming your way.” He believes that “ you need the right influence as a youngster to turn to the positive in life. I think we need PAL now more than ever before.”