Serving San Diego Gounty Youth Since 1998

Building Trust.
Empowering Youth.
Strengthening Communities.

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Bringing youth & law enforcement together TODAY to build safer communities TOMORROW.

This community is full of talent and potential—kids and teens with great ideas, passionate souls, and enormous dreams. But under-resourced areas like ours can present roadblocks that stop our most promising achievers from realizing their goals and dreams.

STAR/PAL is a not-for-profit organization devoted to removing those obstacles to help our young people thrive. Law enforcement personnel work through STAR/PAL as volunteers to forge mentorships, friendships, and lifelong support networks for San Diego’s youth. The connections built here open doors, grow minds, and inspire new ideas that shine a light into a world of possibilities.

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Impact Stories

The officers and mentors in STAR/PAL don’t just talk about making a difference, they become the change.

– Making Changes participant, age 17

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STAR/PAL has taught me that there are so many options, opportunities, and choices waiting for me if I’m willing to reach for them. Being in the program has shown me what it looks like when people truly care – people who give their time, energy, and heart to help others. Seeing that kind of dedication every day has changed how I think about my future. The officers and mentors in STAR/PAL don’t just talk about making a difference – they become the change.

STAR/PAL encourages me to bond with people I had always wanted to connect with but never dared to.

– Making Changes participant, age 17

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This year, I joined the STAR/PAL Making Changes program, where I’m learning how to better connect with people. I attend the program with students from my school I used to just walk past in the hallways. STAR/PAL encourages me to bond with them and build relationships I always wanted but never dared to. Now, I put myself out there and help my community through cleanups, food distributions, and giveaways for those in need.

Seeing the way adults collaborate in STAR/PAL showed me the kind of environment I want in my future.

– Making Changes participant, age 16

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STAR/PAL has shaped my life in meaningful ways. It opened doors to experiences I never expected and helped me see the importance of being involved in my community. I’ve met mentors and friends who support my growth, and seeing the way adults collaborate in STAR/PAL has given me a glimpse of the kind of environment I want in my future.

“STAR/PAL helped me recognize the power of my own voice and how much it matters.

– Making Changes participant, age 17

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I learned how to stay safe in my neighborhood and communicate effectively with an officer. I also learned how to share my opinions with the public and with officials through slideshows and presentations. Because of this, my public speaking skills improved, and my self-esteem grew around others. STAR/PAL helped me recognize the power of my own voice and how much it matters. Overall, STAR/PAL helped me become a better version of myself.

STAR/PAL gave me a safe space where I feel supported, understood, and free to be myself.

– Making Changes participant, age 16

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I’ve learned how to be more responsible, communicate better, and handle things in a more mature way. STAR/PAL gave me a safe space where I feel supported and understood – a place where I can be myself without feeling judged. I’ve made meaningful friendships and met people who truly want to see me do better. The program has taught me skills I know I’ll carry with me into the future, and it’s helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect. I’m really grateful for everything STAR/PAL has done for me.”

I joined for community service hours, but found a space to grow, feel safe, and be see

– Making Changes participant, age 17

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I first joined STAR/PAL to earn community service hours, but what I found was so much more than a requirement. I found a space to grow, feel safe, be seen, and learn with kindness and respect. STAR/PAL doesn’t just connect you with local law enforcement, it empowers you to lead, uplift others, and believe in your own potential.

At STAR/PAL, I realized that I’m capable of overcoming my fears.

– Summer Making Changes participant, age 17

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One of my most memorable experiences from the summer was the obstacle course. I didn’t want to do it at first because I’m terrified of heights, but the staff and other students encouraged me the whole way, which made it feel easier and more calming. I decided to complete the course and face my fear of heights. That experience pushed me to try something new and helped me grow as a person. Most importantly, I realized that I’m capable of overcoming my fears.

The summer program gave me a real-world look at career opportunities I didn’t know existed.”

– Summer Making Changes participant, age 17

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The summer program gave me a real-world look at career opportunities. Before, I had a narrow perspective and didn’t realize how many paths existed in law enforcement. I learned that the military isn’t just about combat, that probation officers help people get back on their feet after incarceration, and how police dispatching works – including emergency and non-emergency lines and the ability to text 911.