The games-part of the Chicago Police Department's new athletic league-hopes to break down the barriers between the youth and police. Most children, and adults, see the police just as "blue shirts," instead of as humans and mentors, police Supt Jody Weis said at a recent game.

"It's great that the police came up with an awesome plan to join the communities and get us active on the weekends," said [Patrick Shaw].

Somalia Price, a 14-year-old student at Overton School, said she hikes football and it's a "great experience to be on a real football team, and get to know the officers."

Every Saturday morning, about 60 boys and girls from Chicago Public Schools meet at Chicago Indoor Sports to play a friendly game of flag football.

Children & youth
Mentoring programs