Albany Police Athletic League (PAL) Executive Director Leonard Ricchiuti is optimistic that ARPA funds, starting October 1.
Albany Police Athletic League Rebounds with ARPA Funds After Pandemic Setbacks
According to the report of News 10, Leonard Ricchiuti, the Executive Director of the Albany Police Athletic League (PAL) is excited about how the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds will help his program. With these funds coming in for nearly two years, Ricchiuti believes they are crucial for getting the organization back on track after COVID-19 caused many problems. The pandemic led to fewer kids joining the program and made it hard to hire staff but the ARPA funds provide a chance to recover.
The pandemic’s effects are still being felt. The program is struggling to keep up its summer camps and other activities. Ricchiuti says that although the program has restarted many services, hiring staff is still a big challenge. The ARPA funds will help by allowing them to hire a full-time athletic coordinator. This new role will be important for adding sports activities to the program which Ricchiuti hopes will help build better relationships between young people and local police officers.
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(photo: The Pew Charitable Trusts)
How ARPA Funds Will Enhance Albany PAL’s Youth Programs
Ricchiuti expects the ARPA funds to start by October 1 and thinks they will positively affect the program. The money will help with hiring staff and keeping many programs free for kids. By offering more interactive activities like sports with police officers, the PAL aims to strengthen community bonds and provide valuable opportunities for local youth.
Additionally, Ricchiuti believes the ARPA funds will improve the Albany PAL’s ability to offer a range of programs and strengthen community connections. The plan includes adding an athletic coordinator to make sports more involved in the program. This will help young people and officers connect in a relaxed way, creating a more engaging environment. This initiative is expected to make the program better for participants while continuing to offer services at no cost to families showing the PAL’s commitment to serving the community well.
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