Our Legacy Story
The Police Activities League (PAL) began more than a century ago in New York City. In 1914, the city’s police department saw a need to provide safe spaces and positive role models for young people growing up in challenging neighborhoods.
They created PAL as a way to build trust between officers and youth, offering recreational activities, educational opportunities, and mentorship. The results were powerful: young people felt seen, supported, and inspired, while officers became not just enforcers of the law, but mentors and role models.
The success of New York PAL ignited a movement. Over the decades, the PAL model spread across the United States, with communities large and small adopting this innovative way of connecting cops and kids. Each chapter built on the same foundation: youth deserve opportunities, safe spaces, and trusted mentors who believe in them.
A Partnership For The Future
In 1999, retired Santa Barbara Police Officer Kent “Wojo” Wojciechoski brought that legacy to Santa Barbara. With a vision to “build the bridge between cops, kids, and our community,” he founded the Santa Barbara Police Activities League (SBPAL). Its original motto, “Partnership for the Future,” reflected the belief that lasting change comes from working hand-in-hand with youth, families, officers, and the broader community.
What started as a small initiative partnering with the Westside Boys & Girls Club soon grew into a nonprofit reaching hundreds of young people every year. SBPAL quickly became a cornerstone in the lives of Santa Barbara youth. The organization opened the Twelve35 Teen Center on Chapala Street, offering a safe, welcoming place for teenagers to gather after school, connect with mentors, and explore their potential. Programs expanded to include leadership councils, academic support, college readiness, summer camps, outdoor adventures, and cultural enrichment opportunities. Alongside these programs, SBPAL remained true to its roots — fostering meaningful relationships between officers and youth through mentorship, trust, and shared experiences.
Over the years, SBPAL has celebrated countless milestones: graduates pursuing college and careers, young leaders returning as mentors, and community members uniting to support the mission. In 2019, the organization marked its 20th anniversary, reflecting on two decades of impact and recommitting to its mission of mentorship, leadership, and academic enrichment.
Today, SBPAL continues to honor the legacy of New York PAL, carrying forward the belief that every young person deserves a safe place to belong, opportunities to thrive, and mentors who believe in their future. From its historic roots in New York to its home here in Santa Barbara, PAL remains a movement built on hope, connection, and community.
