📍 2200 Macdonald Avenue, Richmond, CA 94801

📞(510) 621-1221

📧 rpal@rpal.org

Changing Habits, Attitudes and Minds Program (CHAMP) is a comprehensive program that helps develop the academic and functional abilities of young men. CHAMP is designed to give participants the opportunity to take responsibility for their actions and change their lives through mentoring, academic assistance, life skills development, and civic engagement.

The 2024 formed council is meeting weekly to create community engagement at RPAL's older youth. The YLC will participate in different community events, workshops, classes, volunteer services, as well as attend conferences. 

The Richmond Police Explorers program is a partnership between RPAL and the Richmond Police Department to support young people from Richmond who have an interest in law enforcement as a career. The Richmond Police Explorers believe it vital that the community is served by people with an interest in the well-being of the community. Through the program, local young people are exposed to the many duties of police officers while building self-confidence, character and serving as support for various community events.

The Ambassadors Program is a partnership between RPAL and the City of Richmond to provide summer employment to a group of young people who serve as ambassadors to local businesses and community sites. While working, participants beautify the community, identify and eliminate blight, make connections with local small business owners, explore careers with the city, and build life skills.

The RPAL Diversion Program works with justice referral sources to provide young people an alternative to the justice system. Young people who have been arrested for misdemeanor offenses, have received citations, or have been questioned by law enforcement can benefit through participation in the program. Young people participate in an 8-week intensive support program with mentors to provide the tools for better decision-making. Throughout participation in the program, young people receive case management services. Upon completion, the young people receive a “Prescription for Success” designed to connect the young person to other programs and activities within RPAL and the community that will continue to support their development.

The Bridge Life Skills Program offers support both virtually and in-person to middle and high school youth in order to provide a "bridge" from childhood to adulthood. The young people participate in workshops including College Awareness and Preparation, Employment Readiness, Entrepreneurship, Financial Literacy, Living Your Best Life, Career Awareness, Life After High School, and Effective Communication to prepare them for their transition to adulthood.

The West County Youth Reinvestment Initiative is a partnership between RPAL and other local community organizations collaborating to providing services to youth identified as at-risk for entering the justice system. Through this collaboration, community partners work together to provide youth with services in mental health, counseling, life skills, recreational activities, mentoring, credible messenger programming, healing circles, academic support, and job placement in order to redirect youth to better outcomes.

RPAL's One-on-One Mentoring Program connects young people with concerned and dedicated community volunteers who are committed to working with young people at least one hour per week to provide academic support, guidance, and exposure to new activities and opportunities.

RPAL in partnership with the California PAL offers young people an opportunity to participate in the “Life After High School” educational conference during summer break. This conference is open to RPAL young people just entering high school through those in their senior year and is tailored for high school students. By offering the Life After High School program, RPAL is able to teach students about the various things young people can pursue after high school, whether that be going to a two or four-year college, joining a job apprenticeship program, or even joining the military or other government-based programs like Americorps. The conference also offers a job and career fair where participants are able to speak directly with experts and receive help in preparing for mock interviews with adult business volunteers who help critique and teach participants the valuable skills needed when pursuing employment.

RPAL in partnership with the California PAL Youth Mentoring & Leadership Academy provides a unique opportunity for RPAL members to gain hands-on experience in leadership, character development, peer mentoring, and how to bring all of the skills back to the community to use for the betterment of all. Participants are challenged and empowered to rise to a new level of participation within RPAL as well as the community and school. The leadership knowledge young people gain enables them to have the confidence to make a difference with their peers and in the community. These young leaders influence others to get involved and through this effort, juvenile crime and gang involvement in the local communities is diminished.

In partnership with the Contra Costa Office of Education, within RPAL's one-stop youth center, is the Golden Gate Community School program which provides successful learning experiences for all students in an alternative education environment. School staff assist students in reaching their academic and career goals by implementing teaching strategies and techniques which will enable students to succeed personally, socially, and educationally in society today.

RPAL started the Northern California Jade Division of KIWIN's at Richmond High School back in 1997. Today there are four schools that make up the Jade Division: Richmond High School, Making Waves Academy, Hercules High School, and Oakland High School. KIWIN'S is part of Key Club which is the oldest and largest service program for high school students. KIWIN'S is a student-led organization that teaches leadership through serving others. Key Club International is sponsored by Kiwanis International. KEY is short for Kiwanis Educated Youth. As members of the Kiwanis International Family, KIWIN'S build themselves as they build their schools and communities. California KIWIN'S charitable funds raised and community service hours are among the highest in all of Key Club International.

Contact RPAL and ask for Pandora Turner at (510) 621-1221 to receive more information about getting involved with KIWIN'S at your school.

A unique culinary program; educational, inspirational, and fun! Offering engaging topics providing young people with a platform that empowers them with both knowledge and life skills. The Culinary Club @ RPAL provides our members with an awareness of the opportunities in the world of food while teaching real-world, take-home skills and knowledge of food and nutrition that provides value that can be shared with family and friends. This program is designed to be ever-evolving with endless topics to investigate. Outcomes and pathways are baked into the program offering young people the next step in a variety of fields of interest.