Honorable James F. Kenney, Philadelphia

Mayor of Philadelphia

‘Kids cannot succeed without positive adult role models’

As Mayor, Jim Kenney is the Honorary Chair of the Police Athletic League of Philadelphia, the 501(c)(3) organization that partners with the Philadelphia Police Department to provide free, safe, and fun activities for kids aged 6 to 18 throughout the city. 

A few months after his inauguration, Mayor Kenney attended his first PAL Board meeting, where he proudly pulled out of his pocket a PAL membership card from his youth. As a member of Edward O’Malley Athletic Association, which was affiliated with what is now the 24^th PAL Center at Belgrade and Clearfield streets in Port Richmond, Mayor Kenney enjoyed playing football while attending PAL.

Growing up in Philadelphia, Mayor Kenney attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, St. Joseph’s Prep, and LaSalle University.  

During his tenure, Mayor Kenney has been a strong supporter of PAL, and in partnership with City Representative Sheila Hess (a PAL Board member and longtime supporter of the organization), the annual PAL Day at City Hall has become a signature event for city officials and teens from PAL centers around Philadelphia.

“PAL provided me with a safe haven and got me off the corner. It taught me the importance of teamwork and discipline.   PAL allowed me to be immersed in a supportive environment with positive adults. It gave me the recognition that kids cannot succeed without positive adult role models.”

June 2022