The PAL® Peer Assistance and Leadership philosophy is to recognize the potential of youth as a resource and catalyst for change in other troubled youth. They provide a critical first line of defense in building resiliency among peers. The PAL® peer helping program philosophy identifies an innate capacity for social understanding, personal well-being and community participation within every person. When participating in positive, productive pursuits with peers, youth can more easily resist negative influences, such as illegal use of addictive substances, excessive school absences and unlawful activities. The goals of PAL® Services, WAP inc. are to build peer helping programs throughout Texas; provide training, networking opportunities, and technical assistance to create exemplary PAL® programs; and most importantly, to replicate a proven model of peer helping, PAL®.