POWERGRAMS

36 No more excuses, please. With the opening of a computer lab, Lillie Leatherwood said students taking part in the Tuscaloosa Police Athletic League's (PAL) aer-school program have no grounds to stand on when it comes to finishing homework. "The kids tell us they can't complete their homework because they don't have computers at home and have limited access to those at the library," said Leatherwood, PAL director and part-time security officer at the Western Division Office. "Now that we will have the computers here at our gym, they have no reason not to complete their assignments." The lab was made possible through a 2018 Elevate grant from the Alabama Power Foundation. PAL was among four nonprofits that each received a $17,500 grant to address needs in their communities. The lab is equipped with 12 computers, wireless printers and desks, Leatherwood said. PAL used the grant to buy educational computer materials and games that provide the youths with additional learning opportunities. "I couldn't have been more thankful to the Alabama Power Foundation for awarding this grant to us," said Leatherwood. "It's really filling a major gap that we had. We couldn't have afforded the lab otherwise." Headed by the Tuscaloosa Police Department, PAL is a juvenile crime prevention program that brings together law enforcement officers, community volunteers and at-risk youths, ages 6-18, in a positive environment. PAL provides aer-school and summer programs, including educational activities, athletics, arts and cras, and field trips. Up to 80 kids a day take part in these programs – most held in Harris-Glynn Gym at McKenzie Court, a Tuscaloosa housing complex. Leatherwood said although the kids are encouraged to have fun, their education is PAL's top priority. "When they first come in aer school, we make them hit the books," Leatherwood said. "They have to do their homework before they can play. That's why the computer lab is so important." PAL has struck gold with Leatherwood in charge. A two-time Olympic champion (1984 and 1988) and a former University of Alabama track and field star, she is perfectly suited to lead this action-packed program, along with her assistant, Officer Carlis Moore, who played basketball on Shelton State Community College's first basketball team in 1991 and later transferred to Stillman College, where he continued in that sport. Leatherwood and Moore are in the midst of activities, whether kids are on the basketball or volleyball court, at the skating rink or bowling alley, or doing homework. "Our moo here is 'Building playgrounds instead of prisons,'" Leatherwood said. "Our goal is to get kids off the streets by providing them with things to do and keeping them busy." Alabama Power Foundation President Myla Calhoun commended Leatherwood for her positive impact on youths in the Tuscaloosa community through PAL, and her proactive efforts to ensure they get the educational tools they need. "Supporting nonprofits like the Police Athletic League in their efforts to provide additional educational opportunities for young people in our communities is a major objective of the Elevate Grant program," said Calhoun. "That's why we are so pleased that with this grant, we can have a hand in helping PAL create a state-of-the- art computer lab that will make it easier for these kids to complete their homework assignments. Lillie Leatherwood truly cares about her 'PAL' kids and helping them prepare for their future. And growing the next generation of Alabamians is exactly what the Elevate Grant program is all about." Along with PAL, the other organizations that received Elevate grants were One Place Metro Alabama Family Justice Center, United Way of Southwest Alabama and Storybook Farm. by Carla Davis Foundation Elevates PAL aer-school computer lab EDUCATION Leatherwood assists kids in after-school programs.

• Cover