The Selma Police Athletic League received funds from the Selma Housing Authority Wednesday to provide sport equipment, supplies and field strips for children in the after-school program.

Johnny Moss, director of the Selma Housing Authority, presented a $3,000 check to SPD Chief Robert Green and PAL director Detective Dorothy Cowan at the non-profit organization’s headquarters in the Wilkinson Homes community.

“We depend on donations from the public to be able to provide programs for the kids,” Green said. “Detective Cowman has been instrumental in keeping PAL afloat.”

Green said the PAL philosophy of “building playgrounds, not prisons” is meant to convey the importance of keeping children out of trouble and becoming responsible adults.

“We want to deal with them now, while they are young, instead of later,” Green said.

Along with providing PAL with funds every year, Moss said the Selma Housing Authority does so much more in ensuring the continuation of the program.

“Public housing provided them with the facility, pays the utilities, transportation, and supplies a full-time staff member,” Moss said.

Moss described PAL as a wonderful program for Selma because it provides Selma youth with an opportunity to interact with police officers in a fun setting.

“The program really bridges them together,” Moss said. “All the volunteers and coaches are mentors to these kids.”

Moss said he also likes the fact that PAL gives children who live in public housing a chance to interact with non-public housing residents.

“The income and social status mix is similar to the objective of the Selma Housing Authority,” Moss said. “We also try to place people of different incomes and situations in our communities so they can work together for a better community.”

The PAL program offers teen and children homework tutoring along with gymnasium sports such as basketball, volleyball and jump rope.

PAL is also preparing to start a junior basketball league for children between the ages of 6 to 18.

PAL is open from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.