Boxing Club Fosters Positive Relationships Between Law Enforcement, Youth

Helping kids gain self-esteem, confidence and life skills is the goal of Colton’s newest non-profit gyms, which also offers local youth and law enforcement officers the opportunity to build rapport in a positive and encouraging environment. The Colton area gym is part of the Hemet-based Cops 4 Kids and Communities, and was brought to the local area with the help of Carlos Palomino, who for the past 10 years has worked with the Colton Police Department’s PAL boxing program. After opening the gym in this area in February, Cops 4 Kids and Communities has helped provide a positive influence for the local youth ages 8 to 18 by fostering relationships between kids and law enforcement officers from Inland Empire agencies. “Typically when kids see a police officer, it’s because either they are in trouble or their parents are in trouble,” Palomino said. “With this program, we really wanted to get that thinking out of the way. We wanted to build relationships and build an environment of equality. This way, officers get to know the kids and the kids get to know the officers and they can feel better about law enforcement.” The gym, located on 1589 Bordwell Avenue, Unit C, was established after Palomino came across Hemet’s Cops 4 Kids and Community program. Currently the gym is open four days a week from 6 to 8 p.m., there are about 25 kids in the program, Palomino explained. There they work out with corrections, security, police officers and sheriff’s deputies with police departments from the cities of Chino, Norco, Rialto, Riverside and San Bernardino, and even deputies from the San Bernardino and Riverside sheriff’s departments, who all donate their time, Palomino explained. “All the coaches are volunteers,” Palomino said. He also acknowledged Leno Moreno of Leno’s Rico Taco, a local Colton business, for his work in sponsorship, car washes and fundraisers. “When we need him, he is there,” Palomino said. “He has done so much for this program.” The evenings begin with cardio workouts and go from there. “We do a lot of cardio and we get them into shape. To do the boxing, you have to be in shape,” Palomino said. Typical warm ups include 20 minutes of stretching, and anywhere from running 8 to 12 laps around the facility and then one-on-one boxing lessons. Those individuals who are interested also have the chance to get into the ring with other students around their weight class and experience level on Tuesdays and Thursdays, when the sparring takes place. “Getting in the ring usually takes a lot of confidence. Sparring with someone else, that’s difficult,” Palomino said, but he was adamant that the goal is not for the students to hurt each other. “One of the things that we do is acknowledge every student,” Palomino explained. “Everybody chips in and we let them know nobody is better than anyone else.” “The physical activity also boosts confidence by helping the students lose weight and get in shape,“ Palomino said. “That alone makes them feel better. We are teaching them how to protect themselves if they need to, and this is a place for them to take out aggression in a healthy way.” Palomino is also looking to implement a classroom area for study sessions before gym time. “That way kids can come and do their homework and then go work out in the gym,” Palomino said. The gym is open Mondays through Thursdays. For more information, contact Carlos Palomino via email at cops4kidsboxing@cs.com.