PALs Spotlight

Resolve to Get Involved

Ann Marie Quill

Steven Blaske and his young buddy Adam enjoy a recent PAL pool party.

If you've made a High Holiday resolution to give back to the community, the PAL program, which matches children from single-parent families with adult "buddies," might be just what you're looking for.

According to Erika Lang, who runs the Jewish Family & Career Services program, PAL currently has about 30 active matches, but with a waiting list of young boys who need to be paired with an older buddy, male volunteers are especially needed.

The minimum age requirement for the older PALs is 21, and, according to Anat Granath, program assistant, volunteers must be Jewish, not have young children of their own, and be willing to commit to at least a year.

"It takes a while to establish a relationship," she says.

Lang adds that the age of volunteers runs the gamut. "In the past it was mostly single young professionals between 25 and 35. Today it's changed. There is still a large group of young professionals, but now there are also empty-nesters whose children are grown so they have extra time to be a mentor. There are benefits to both groups. Some children need a younger adult influence, while some can enjoy an older adult influence."

Adds Granath, "PALs have wonderful relationships they have maintained for quite a few years watching the children grow. As the relationships grow, we get this feedback, 'Wow, I didn't realize what a big influence I've had on this child.' "

Jewish children between the ages of 6 and 15 are accepted into the program. In addition to the previously mentioned requirements, volunteers must also pass a criminal background check and commit to at least two visits a month and a weekly phone call.

PAL volunteers can also expect the secondary benefit of socializing with one another as, in addition to the one-on-one time with their little buddies, all the participants get together several times a year for a pool party, a Chanukah bowling meet and other field trips.

Volunteers are rewarded with a "sense of giving back, and it's fun," Lang says.

If you are interested in becoming a PAL or learning more about the program, contact Erika Lang at (770) 677-9310 or erikalang@jfcs-atlanta.org.