Volunteer Colleen Hughes, with her Labrador Retriever Oscar de la Rascal, 8, facilitates America Reads  at the Santa Monica Police Activity League on Wednesday, February 24, 2010. PAL's America Reads is a literacy program for children 6 to 10 years of age who read to dogs. The class meets every Wednesday from 4 to 5 PM at PAL throughout the school year. (left to right) Maya Ruddock, 7, Toni Bryant, 10, Nadia Cyprian, 7, Colleen Hughes and Samuel Mercado, 9, read to Oscar de la Rascal during the class on Wednesday.

The Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL) is a unique  community organization that fosters trust between  youth  and  the  men and women of the Santa Monica Police Department in a safe and nurturingenvironment. Through outstanding educational, cultural, recreational, and outreach programs, PAL helps develop skills and self-esteem, encouraging youth to reach their full potential.