Beacon Elks Lodge donated $200 of their Gratitude Grant to the Beacon Police Department’s Summer Youth Academy.

The Beacon Youth Police Academy is a free, week-long program for students entering grades 9-12 and provides an introduction to careers in law enforcement.

The goal of the academy is to help participating youth understand the role police officers play in the community, the duties required to be performed on the job, and requirements of becoming a police officer. In addition, the program fosters relationships between the officers and the youth participants. This is accomplished with mock situations and lectures, field trips, physical fitness exercises, and games.

The Gratitude Grant is one of three grants the Beacon Elks Lodge has obtained for the 2023-24 Elk Year.

“These grants allow the Beacon Elks Lodge to be an active and integral part of the community,” said Jennifer Velez, Exalted Ruler, Beacon Elks Lodge. “Additionally, the grant allows the Elks to support local law enforcement missions and initiatives and provides local youth with an opportunity to learn about the possibilities of a career in law enforcement.”

“Our Youth Activities team helps assist local youth organizations, local youth initiatives, and local first-responder organizations with the development of young men and women in the community,” added Velez.

For more information on the Beacon Youth Police Academy, contact the Beacon Police Dept. at (845) 831-4111.

For more information on the Beacon Elks Youth Activities Committee or community service and outreach, contact Robert K. Lanier, Public Relations Chair.