The San Luis Valley is home to two of the poorest counties in Colorado. Valleywide, the isolation, poverty, geographic expanse, and limited economic opportunities give way to great human need. That need often manifests itself acutely in the lives of the community's children. As of 2009, 30.2% of all children under the age of 18 in Alamosa County lived in poverty.  Additionally, in 2010, almost 70% of all children in Alamosa County lived in an economic situation such that they qualified for free or reduced lunches at school. Along with poverty, many children live in circumstances where abuse and maltreatment are common. These children need extra support and attention during their formative years to overcome these challenges. For example, the 2009 Alamosa County child abuse rate was one of the highest rates in Colorado and more than double the state average.  As a result, it is crucial that the children of Alamosa County and the San Luis Valley have access to programs such as PALS.   PALS, which stands for Positive Activities Lead to Success, is a licensed after-school and summer children’s program. The program provides a positive structure, offers an explorative learning environment, and builds trusting relationships for children who come from difficult or traumatic backgrounds.

 Pals aims to enhance each individual’s sense of self, family, and community. The PALS logo depicts the program’s commitment to the children it serves; the giraffe standing atop the world represents the program philosophy that each child is capable of being a proud and active member of their families and larger communities.

Children in the PALS program come from multiple sources: families in the Adelante program, families staying at the Shelter, and referrals from the Alamosa County Department of Human Services. PALS staff works closely with parents, teachers, caseworkers, and other service providers to serve each child in the best way possible.

A typical day at PALS includes certain set activities such as group sharing in circle time, snacks, and homework time. Other daily activities range from outings to the park to cooking lessons to art and music sessions. All the activities at PALS aim to offer a positive, supportive environment and opportunities for children to broaden their personal experiences.

During the summer or days when school is not in session, PALS runs a full-day program. These days often involve special activities such as field trips around the Valley to visit the Sand Dunes or Zapata Falls or field trips around the state to visit the Pueblo Zoo or the Denver Science Museum.

There are many ways to get involved with the PALS program. Some volunteers come weekly to provide activities such as cooking or music lessons while others just come to offer an extra helping hand. An exciting, new opportunity is the PALS Superhero program; this program aims to pair each PAL with a supportive, adult mentor. Pairs would spend one hour each week together, either during PALS or during the school day.

If you are interested in volunteering with PALS in one of these ways, please contact PALS directly at 719.589.6316.

Click to read Erika & Sarah's story about their PALS experience.