Serving San Diego Gounty Youth Since 1998

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  • Community Partners

    Community Partners

    Community Partners

    STAR/PAL partners with mission-driven companies that believe in connection, mentorship, and opportunity for young people. Together, we strengthen relationships between youth, law enforcement, and the communities they serve.


    Through thoughtful corporate partnerships, we support youth and families across San Diego County while working collaboratively with our partners to achieve shared goals and create meaningful, lasting impact for both the community and the company.

    Corporate Partners

    Mission-driven companies investing in STAR/PAL programs and community impact.

    Community Partners

    Individuals and community supporters making leadership-level contributions to support our youth and families.

    Billingsley Foundation

    California Dept of Corrections and Rehab

    City of San Diego

    Conrad Prebys

    French Fund

    JD Finish Line Foundation

    National PAL 

    Old Mission Rotary

    San Diego District Attorney’s Office

    San Diego Legal Administrators Foundation

    Zable Foundation

    Become a STAR/PAL Partner

    If you are interested in becoming a partner, please contact Sommer Cartier.

    Email Sommer Cartier
  • Afterschool Programs

    Afterschool Programs

    Afterschool Programs

    STAR/PAL’s after-school programs provide a safe, structured environment for middle and high school students during the critical hours after school. These programs are designed to support academic success, promote positive decision making, and strengthen personal responsibility while fostering healthy relationships between youth and law enforcement.

    Operating out of the STAR/PAL Youth Center, the programs focus on personal growth, leadership development, and academic support. Students are encouraged to build confidence, improve communication skills, and develop habits that contribute to long-term success in school and in life.

    Program Schedule and Structure

    Programming is available to both middle school and high school students and includes mentoring, tutoring, and leadership development opportunities.

    Each program is structured to meet students where they are developmentally while reinforcing accountability, teamwork, and positive behavior in a supervised setting.

    STAR/PAL’S Youth Center is open
    TUESDAY – THURSDAY from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

    WE CAN

    Tuesday

    Making Changes

    Thursday

    We Can

    The WE CAN program is a mentoring initiative designed specifically for middle school students in grades six through eight. Facilitated by law enforcement officers, the program focuses on helping students develop self-awareness, strengthen decision-making skills, and build confidence.

    Through guided discussions, interactive activities, and group engagement, participants learn how their choices affect their future, their relationships, and their community. The program also encourages students to explore leadership and civic responsibility in age-appropriate ways.

    Register

    Tutoring

    STAR/PAL offers weekly tutoring sessions for both middle and high school students who need additional academic support. Tutoring is provided by interns from Point Loma Nazarene University who assist with homework, assignments, and school projects.

    Students attending tutoring sessions have access to laptops during program hours, helping ensure they have the tools they need to complete their work successfully in a supportive environment.

    Register

    Making Changes

    The Making Changes program is designed for high school students and focuses on leadership development and real-world life skills. Participants engage in activities centered on communication, public speaking, financial literacy, and community involvement.

    This program encourages students to think critically about their goals, take responsibility for their actions, and understand the impact they can have within their schools and communities. Emphasis is placed on preparing students for adulthood through positive choices and personal accountability.

    Register

    Benefits of STAR/PAL After-School Programs

    STAR/PAL’s after-school programs help students strengthen academic performance, develop leadership and communication skills, and build trust with positive adult role models. Participants benefit from a structured and supervised environment that promotes personal growth, community engagement, and healthy peer relationships.

    By participating consistently, students gain skills and experiences that support long-term success both inside and outside the classroom.

    Registration and Participation

    Families interested in enrolling their students in STAR/PAL’s after-school programs are encouraged to register in advance. Space may be limited, and participation helps ensure students have access to consistent support, mentorship, and enrichment opportunities throughout the school year.

  • Educators

    Educators

    Educators

    STAR/PAL offers interactive classroom presentations that bring police officers and trained program staff directly into local schools to support positive youth development. Teachers and administrators can request a single presentation or a full series tailored to their students’ needs. These sessions are designed to educate, build trust and give young people practical tools they can apply in their daily lives.

    Each presentation encourages open dialogue and real connection between youth and law enforcement. The goal is to equip students with accurate information, promote safe decision-making and create positive interactions that support long-term community well-being.

    Educators interested in scheduling a presentation can contact STAR/PAL’s Program Manager for availability and program details.

    Topics may include:

    • Healthy teen relationships
    • Mental health and personal wellness
    • Responsible use of social media
    • Juvenile law and understanding personal rights
    • Bias, stereotyping and inclusion
    • Gang awareness and prevention
    • Additional subjects available upon request

    Elementary School

    More Info

    Middle School

    More Info

    High School

    More Info
  • Ways to Support STAR/PAL

    Ways to Support STAR/PAL

    Ways to Support STAR/PAL

    With over 80% of our funding dedicated to our youth programs, you can be sure that your contribution is making a difference to support, inspire, and encourage youth, build relationships between law enforcement and kids, and to build lasting bonds that strengthen our community.

    1. Giving Online

    One-Time

    Make a one-time gift to support STAR/PAL’s year-round programs for youth. Monthly giving provides steady, reliable support that allows us to plan ahead and serve more youth throughout the year.

    Donate

    * Secure donations made through Classy.org, now GoFundMe Pro

    2. Monthly Giving Online

    Monthly giving provides steady, reliable support that allows us to plan ahead and serve more youth throughout the year.

    Donate

    * Secure donations made through Classy.org, now GoFundMe Pro

    3. Event & Campaign Giving 

    STAR/PAL hosts fundraising events and seasonal campaigns throughout the year to support specific programs and initiatives. These opportunities allow donors to connect directly with moments that matter most to our youth and community.

    Whether you’re supporting our Spring Event, summer programming, or year-end efforts, your participation helps bring these experiences to life.

    Current Campaign

    4. Corporate Giving

    Corporate partners play a vital role in supporting STAR/PAL’s mission. Companies can get involved through event sponsorships, workplace giving, employee engagement opportunities, and in-kind support.  

    Partnering with STAR/PAL is a meaningful way to invest in youth, strengthen communities, and support positive relationships with law enforcement.

    For corporate giving opportunities, please contact Sommer Cartier.

    Email Sommer Cartier

    5. In-Kind Giving

    STAR/PAL accepts in-kind donations through our seasonal community drives, which directly support youth and families throughout the year. These opportunities allow individuals and companies to give in meaningful, hands-on ways that meet immediate needs.

    Our in-kind drives include:

    • Holiday Meal Basket Drive: food and grocery items for families
    • Holiday Toy Drive: toys and gifts for youth during the holidays

    If you’re interested in supporting one of these drives, please reach out to our team for timing, wish lists, and guidelines.

    Email Sommer Cartier

    5. Other Ways to Give

    Additional giving options include:

    Gifts by check

    Please make check payable to: STAR/PAL

    Mail to: 4110 54th Street , San Diego, CA 92105

    Donor-Advised Funds

    For more information regarding Donor-Advised Funds, please contact Sommer Cartier.

    Email Sommer Cartier
    Stock Donation

    Make a bigger impact by donating long-term appreciated securities, including stock, bonds, and mutual funds, directly to charity. Compared with donating cash, or selling your appreciated securities and contributing the after-tax proceeds, you may be able to automatically increase your gift and your tax deduction.

    To request our financial information for gifting stock, please contact Sommer Cartier.

    Email Sommer Cartier
    Matching gifts through your employer

    Search the database of employers who will match your donation.

    Search Now

    If you have questions about any giving method, we’re happy to help.

    Email Sommer Cartier

    Contact information 

    STAR/PAL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
    Tax ID (EIN): 33-0363138

    If you have questions about giving or would like to explore a specific way to support our work, please contact:

    Sommer Cartier
    Development Manager
    scartier@starpal.org

  • Shop with a Cop

    Shop with a Cop

    Shop with a Cop

    Shop with a Cop is an annual holiday event in San Diego County that was established in 1994. The program is sponsored by local law enforcement agencies in partnership with STAR/PAL, SeaWorld San Diego, and Target. Each year, the event brings together law enforcement officers and children for a supervised holiday experience.

    A local law enforcement agency serves as the host each year. The current host agency is the El Cajon Police Department.

    Event Participation

    In December, more than 300 uniformed officers from over 30 local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies volunteer their time to participate in Shop with a Cop. Officers are paired one on one with children who are selected through local schools. Each officer remains with their assigned child throughout the day’s activities.

    The event includes a visit to SeaWorld San Diego, where participating children attend a private animal show. After the SeaWorld visit, officers and children travel together to Target for a holiday shopping experience.

    Each child receives a $200 shopping allowance to purchase holiday gifts, with the officer assisting during the shopping portion of the event.

    Shop with a Cop has been held annually since its founding in 1994. The program continues through the support of sponsoring organizations, participating agencies, and volunteers, and remains one of STAR/PAL’s long-running holiday initiatives serving children across San Diego County.

    Community Partnerships

    Shop with a Cop is made possible through collaboration between STAR/PAL, SeaWorld San Diego, Target, and participating law enforcement agencies throughout San Diego County. These partners support the planning and execution of the event each year.

  • For Educators

    For Educators

    For Educators

    Are you interested in bringing STAR/PAL programs into your classroom?

  • For Donors

    For Donors

    For DOnors

    Are you interested in supporting STAR/PAL?

  • About STAR/PAL

    About STAR/PAL

    About STAR/PAL

    THE STAR/PAL MISSION: Building meaningful relationships between law enforcement and youth through engaging activities and dialogues, cultivating communal trust and laying the groundwork for an ethical community policing model to be applied nationwide.

    1988

    PAL Chapter Founded

    San Diego PAL launches to support youth through athletics and mentorship

    1993

    STAR Begins

    Sports Training, Academics & Recreation expands programming across the city.

    1998

    STAR/PAL Forms

    PAL and STAR merge efforts to connect youth and law enforcement county-wide.

    Today

    Ongoing Impact

    Mentorship, safety education, and leadership programs serving thousands annually.

    STAR/PAL’s efforts are built around providing mentorship and removing obstacles for youth in historically underserved communities, and on promoting ethical policing and cooperation in the process.

    The organization was founded in 1988. We are a not-for-profit organization based in San Diego that builds relationships between youth and law enforcement through a variety of leadership and mentoring programs focused on recognizing potential and supporting growth. STAR/PAL has been nationally recognized for its model of police and community collaboration, which models an example of ethical community policing standards and mentors under-resourced youth.

    Every day, officers from the San Diego Police and County Probation Departments work side by side with civilian personnel and trained law enforcement volunteers to provide leadership and mentoring to promote youth safety, highlight opportunities, and encourage academic success.

    THE STAR/PAL NAME

    The San Diego PAL (Police Athletic League) chapter was founded in 1988 and primarily served county areas. Members of the police force coached young people, helped with school-related activities and mentored youth through the program. The STAR (Sports Training, Academics, & Recreation) organization began in 1993 and focused similar efforts within city boundaries.

    The two organizations merged to form STAR/PAL in 1998, representing an alignment of city, county, and community efforts. The unification of programs, staff, volunteers, and the Board of Directors work as one to ensure that all youth have similar opportunities to participate in and reap the benefits of youth programming with law enforcement and public safety officers, as well as community leaders.

  • For Youth

    For Youth

    For Youth

    Are you interested in participating in STAR/PAL’s programming?