PAL Day at City Hall brings youth to seat of Philadelphia government

Philadelphia school students shadowed city officials Monday during a program run by the police department.

Known as PAL Day at City Hall, the Police Athletic League event gives kids an inside look at the workings of City Council, as well as the office of  mayor, police commissioner and fire commissioner.  

Rashann Henry, who followed city Councilman Curtis Jones, said he hopes to go to law school.

“My father being a police detective, I come from a background in law,” Rashann said. “So instead of being the person who enforces it, I want to be the person who defends it.”

The program gives city officials a chance to mentor teens at a critical period in their lives, said Jones.

“Young people — different shapes, sizes, all of them — have hope right now,” Jones said. “What you want to plant hope in is experience so that you can grow good citizens, so that you can grow our replacements.”