PAL Program
The PAL Peer Assistance Leadership Program is a school-based, peer-to-peer youth development program for students in grades 4-12 built upon a philosophy of students helping students. The mission of our PAL program is to develop youth leaders who connect with their peers to create a caring, safe, and supportive school environment for all.
PAL peer leaders help build a positive school climate through youth leadership, mentoring, conflict resolution, cross-age teaching, peer helping, service learning, and prevention activities. The PAL program supports skill development in the areas of leadership, communication, team building, and problem solving. The program can be implemented as a club, class, or incorporated in to an existing leadership program, where students receive training in the PAL curriculum and plan campus outreach activities.
An effective PAL program can help schools implement many of the researched-based activities that enhance youth engagement and connectedness to school and community, two of the most important protective factors for all types of high risk behaviors.