PAL Day offers kids a look inside Philadelphia's government

Police Athletic League Day at City Hall in Philadelphia brought out some of the finest youth in the city to shadow city officials.

The youth had a chance to see how city government works from the inside and to get a taste of government service as a career Wednesday.

Erin Dwyer, 17, of Northeast Philadelphia was named PAL mayor. She says the police-sponsored group helps her with her studies and so much more.

"PAL has offered more than just academics to my life. They have provided me with a safe place to play sports and have a good time," Dwyer said. "The Tacony PAL has given me the opportunity to give back to my community, which has given me so much through volunteering."

District Attorney Seth Williams, a PAL alumnus, said the organization helps young people to become a force against violence in the city by influencing their friends not to commit crimes.

"I really learned a lot about life, moreso than what I learned in school. I learned about fairness," Williams said. "I learned about teamwork, about being responsible and accountable to other people. I think you can learn great lessons from what you are doing in PAL."